Open-source discrete-event simulation software for applications in production and logistics: An alternative to commercial tools?

Abstract Discrete-event simulation is an established method to support decision making for planning tasks in production and logistics. However, there are still many enterprises, especially smaller companies that do not use discrete-event simulation because of the high costs associated with buying and maintaining commercial simulation tools. The question is whether or not free discrete-event simulation software is an alternative to commercial tools for solving typical planning tasks in production and logistics. The paper analyzes the modeling process with the three free and open-source discrete-event simulation tools Salabim, JaamSim and CloudSim and compares them with the two standard commercial simulation packages Arena and Plant Simulation. JaamSim provides everything which is necessary to model typical planning tasks in production and logistics and proves as a real alternative to commercial discrete-event simulation tools.