Framework for simulation software selection

In the last years, the selection of the most suitable simulation software to correctly face industrial problems has become vital for companies. The choice should be made among several possibilities and some companies, especially SMEs, may not have the appropriate tools. Moreover, a change of perspective is detected in industry: the technological evolution has shifted the problem from the “best-ever” solution identification, independently from the goals, to the usability of the software, in function of the company's objectives. In this context, technicians and managers act as decision-makers, not only as receivers. The present work proposes an update of the criteria used for evaluating the most appropriate simulation software among different options. Based on that, an AHP-based evaluation framework is defined to support the selection process to face the industrial problem. The proposed methodology has been tested in an industrial case and its effectiveness has been proven.