Welcome to ProModel

ProModel is a powerful, Windows-based simulation tool for simulating and analyzing production systems of all types and sizes. ProModel provides the perfect combination of ease-of-use and complete flexibility and power for modeling nearly any situation, and its realistic animation capabilities makes simulation come to life.

ProModel provides engineers and managers the opportunity to test new ideas for system design or improvement before committing the time and resources necessary to build or alter the actual system. ProModel focuses on issues such as resource utilization, production capacity, productivity, and inventory levels. By modeling the important elements of a production system such as resource utilization, system capacity, and production schedules, you can experiment with different operating strategies and designs to achieve the best results.

As a discrete event simulator, ProModel is intended primarily for modeling discrete part manufacturing systems, although process industries can be modeled by converting bulk material into discrete units such as gallons or barrels. In addition, ProModel is designed to model systems where system events occur mainly at definite points in time. Time resolution is controllable and ranges from .01 hours to .00001 seconds.

Typical applications for using ProModel include:

Assembly lines
Job Shops
Transfer lines
JIT and KANBAN systems
Flexible Manufacturing systems
Supply chain logistics

Use of ProModel requires only a brief orientation and virtually no programming skills. With ProModel's convenient modeling constructs and graphical user interface, model building is quick and easy. All you do is define how your particular system operates, mostly through part flow and operation logic. Automatic error and consistency checking help ensure that each model is complete prior to simulation. During simulation, an animated representation of the system appears on the screen. After the simulation, performance measures such as resource utilization, productivity and inventory levels are tabulated and may be graphed for evaluation

Where to Go from here

1. In order to use ProModel effectively, you must understand the basics of the Microsoft Windows operating environment. If you are unfamiliar with Windows you should begin by reviewing the help information. To do this, select Help from the Start menu. If you are an accomplished Windows user, you can proceed to the next step.

2. To begin using ProModel you must install the software. This is described in Chapter 2: Installation and Registration.

3. You will want to become familiar with the basic theory of model building, and review the model building scenario, which is covered in chapter 3: Planning the Model. If you are already familiar with modeling theory, or just want to jump into model building, skip to the next step.

4. ProModel incorporates an easy-to-use as well as intuitive user interface. Chapter 4: Modeling Environment will introduce you to the menus and options you will use to build your model.

5. Build your model. Chapters 5 and 6: Building the Model will propel you into model building by describing the Build menu, which gives you access to most of the tools needed to build your model.

6. Refer to Chapter 7: Building the Logic during the model building process to learn the logical elements that will control your model during simulation.

7. Run your model. See your model come to life as its animation runs. Chapter 9: Running the Model outlines the process of running a model.

8. View, analyze, and display the data your model collected during simulation. With this information in hand you are ready to make real-world decisions to achieve your modeling goals. Chapter 10: Reports and Graphs describes the Output Viewer, which presents you with your simulation’s data.

Training

Although the tutorial and documentation are both self contained, first-time users are strongly encouraged to seek formal training at some point before embarking on a complex modeling project. PROMODEL Corporation holds training courses on a regular basis for beginning and advanced users of PROMODEL simulation products. For details on course dates and times, or to register for the course nearest you, call our main office at (801) 223-4600 and ask for the ProModel Product Team.