Back in 2004, Simudyne identified a critical market need for the development of a new simulation platform that would provide a high level of decoupling and interaction among its components, allow other tools to be used within the simulation and support different formalisms within the model to increase its range of applicability.
We asserted (and were proved correct as validated by Gartner) that a convergence of a number of significant trends would lead to a tipping point in the economic use of simulation across a wide range of complex domains. These trends included:
advances in programming technology, especially structured programming, object oriented programming and evolutionary computing (in effect, the “growing” of algorithms);
cost effective massively parallel supercomputer architectures enabling the most complex models to become visually meaningful on a range of thin client display devices and
the integration of previously independent modeling formalisms such as discrete event modeling, system dynamics, agent based modeling, dynamic systems and artificial life, resulting in far more realistic hybrid simulation models.
The integration of large geospatial models and real-time data feeds running on advanced parallel computer architectures are allowing previously impossible combinations of real-life with virtual world models speeding training, scenario planning and the improved foresight necessary to lead decision makers to their desired future rather than to unintended consequences and their feared future.
The advanced visualization tools enable the most complex systems and sets of algorithms to be presented cost effectively to large groups of researchers or decision makers in a way that will improve understanding, lead to better team learning and break free of the difficulties of grasping holistic system effects by looking only at pages of numbers and simple graphs. The simulation of the near future will be more like an immersive video game – a comfortable environment for the current generation of engineers and managers – than a long night in the research section of the library.
These new simulacrums provide for analysis across time: running models from past data to future possible scenarios; across space: using advanced mapping and stochastic image technologies into which a powerful set of metadata can be embedded; and will take advantage of evolutionary computing technologies (artificial life) to quickly and automatically evaluate the most promising combinations and dramatically improve pattern recognition capabilities. They will utilize dynamic 3-D graphics and virtual world effects to enhance understanding and enable wisdom to emerge from knowledge gained through the intelligent analysis of mountains of data.
To ensure a best-of-breed simulation platform, the Simudyne network built over 80 simulations for a number of clients using existing simulation environments. These projects allowed us to identify 12 essential requirements for the development of a next generation simulation platform - the Simudyne Simulation Platform.
For example, one project (called the ‘Nevada System’ developed by Rui Silvestre and his colleagues) involved developing a simulator for training Forward Observers. A Forward Observer is a specialized soldier, positioned at a particular location in the field, which has privileged visualization conditions over an area that is under artillery attack. Under these conditions the forward observer can provide the fundamental information for the artillery control to hit a specific target, i.e., guide and correct the several shots being made.
Our post-project analysis of these 80+ simulation projects revealed that we were constantly building simulators that were tailored for one purpose only, and were severely limited regarding openness to other systems and scalability of users or resources. We came to believe that the natural path for the next generation simulation platform is the departure from monolithic standalone simulations that serve one person and one purpose, to simulations that are based on the orchestration of distributed, interacting services. In addition to the insights gleaned from our project work, we also conducted a competitive analysis of more than 50 available simulation environments and languages. We discovered that existing software tools were limited in scope, dedicated to a specific domain of applications, very egocentric and only a few provided hybrid modeling. A huge opportunity to do better existed.
Our objective is to help decision-makers understand the vital role that the new form of science-based simulation technology will play in making the quantum leap that is now imperative if the operational, decision making and data gathering systems in dozens of sectors are to be effective in today’s complex and diverse operating environment. Simudyne is focused on the development of a simulation software platform that will be used to deploy robust and resilient simulations that run on advanced high performance computing architectures to improve decision making at global, regional and local levels.
The important combination of good command, control and coordination systems, the delivery of effective intelligence acquisition and interpretation across a wide spectrum of agencies and the requirement to train and rehearse realistically is often quoted at international seminars as the pivotal elements for success. A quantum leap in complexity, heightened global tensions and the sheer volume of data, coupled with the pressures to react quickly have made these elements particularly vital. While humans are the final arbiters (currently), unsupported decisions made without proper understanding of all the issues involved will result in major failures and significant downside risks.
Simudyne’s Simulation Platform is applicable to numerous industries: Defense, Energy, Financial Services, Telecommunications, Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and others. It is used to solve complex problems in thousands of areas.
