In discrete event simulation, only the points in time at which the state of the system changes are represented. In other words, the system is modelled as a series of events, i.e. instants in time when a state-change occurs. Examples of events are "a customer arrives", "a customer starts receiving service" and "a machine is repaired". Each of these occurs at an instant in time.

A number of mechanisms have been proposed for carrying out discrete event simulation, amonth them are the event-based, activity-based, process-based and three-phase approaches. The three-phase approach is is used by a number of commercial simulation software packages, but from the user's point of view, the specifics of the underlying simulation method are generally hidden.

(from Simulation - The practice of model development and use by Stewart Robinson, Wiley 2004) --LannerGroup 15:31, 11 July 2006 (UTC)

History

Lanner is a fast growing, private company that specializes in providing simulation-enabled business transformation solutions for business process improvement, analysis and management.

Established in 1996, Lanner is widely acknowledged as the world’s pioneering leader in business simulation and optimization software and services. Offering a uniquely visual and quantitative business improvement methodology enabled with our simulation technology, Lanner’s core product, WITNESS continues to deliver rapid business transformation, agile business performance and quantifiable value.

To date, Lanner has helped over 1000 international organizations deliver billions of dollars in business benefit. While its initial successes are across many of the core manufacturing industries such as automotive, oil & gas, and food & beverage, the advent of simulation and optimization as an enabler for KPIs and performance metrics is driving the assimilation of WITNESS into traditional businesses such as government, financial services and healthcare.

Lanner’s strong history in product can only be equalled by its strong history in delivering top level services. Lanner’s committed consultants have extensive business level experience across multiple industries, providing customers a unique blueprint for success even before a project begins.

Delivering solutions on a global basis requires a global network. Lanner has a distributorship and partnership program with consulting organizations, solution providers and integrators across the world including: Italy, Spain, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Japan, China, Singapore, Taiwan, Korea, Australia, South America, India, Greece and Malaysia.

Lanner believes that a simulation enabled business is a performance based success story in the making. Driving success and providing agility, simulation and optimization transforms not only how companies do business, but the business itself.

www.lanner.com