Arena is a discrete event simulation and automation software developed by Systems
Modeling and acquired by Rockwell Automation in 2000. It uses the SIMAN
processor and simulation language. As of June 2014, it is in version 14.7,
providing significant enhancements in optimization and animation. It has been
suggested that Arena may join other Rockwell software packages under the
"FactoryTalk" brand. In Arena, the user builds an experiment
model by placing modules that represent processes or logic. Connector lines are
used to join these modules together and to specify the flow of entities. While
modules have specific actions relative to entities, flow, and timing, the
precise representation of each module and entity relative to real-life objects
is subject to the modeler. Statistical data, such as cycle time and WIP levels,
can be recorded and outputted as reports.
Arena can be integrated with Microsoft technologies. It includes Visual Basic
for Applications so models can be further automated if specific algorithms
are needed. It also supports importing Microsoft Visio flowcharts, as well as
reading from or outputting to Excel spreadsheets and Access databases.
Hosting ActiveX controls is also supported.
Uptake Arena is used by many large companies
engaged in simulating business processes. Some of these firms include
General Motors, UPS, IBM, Nike, Xerox, Lufthansa, Ford Motor Company, and
others. It has been noted that creating a simulation can require more time at
the beginning of a project, but quicker installations and product optimizations
can reduce overall project time. Arena can simulate diverse operation types,
including call centers, for optimizing the use of agents and phone lines, the
size and routing of pancake stacks in a food processing facility, and the design
of a gold mine. Commercial software editions
Professional Edition – The flagship product, provides the ultimate in
functionality and flexibility to meet the needs of any simulation problem.
Systems, regardless of complexity, can be represented and custom performance
metrics may be measured and tracked. Standard Edition – This mid-tier package
has the versatility to solve simulation problems encountered in an array of
industries and systems. This edition includes Basic Process, Advanced
Transfer, and Advanced Process Arena templates.
OptQuest – OptQuest provides optimization functionality within Arena.
Academic software editions Academic Lab Package – Academic version
of the commercially available Enterprise Suite. This is 30-or more seat license
is for academic, non-commercial usage. Universities that adopt the Simulation
with Arena textbook are eligible for valuable offers and benefits.
Research Edition – This is the same edition as the Academic Lab Package,
with this version for individual academic researchers. The same academic
guidelines are specified for observance. Student Edition – Free edition intended
for students currently learning the software is included for download and/or
included with many simulation textbooks. This version is perpetual, but limited
in model size. This version is intended for academic, non-commercial usage.
Universities that are using the software are eligible to make copies of the
software to distribute to students for installation on their personal machines.
Further Reading = Textbooks using Arena =
Kelton, W. David, et al., Simulation with Arena, 6th edition.. ISBN
978-0-07-337628-8 Altiok, Tayfur and Benjamin
Melamed.Simulation Modeling and Analysis with ARENA. Elsevier, Inc., 2007. ISBN
978-0-12-370523-5 Rossetti, Manuel D. Simulation Modeling
with Arena. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2010. ISBN 978-0-470-09726-7
= SIMAN = Sturrock, D.T., Pegden, C.D.,
Introduction to SIMAN, Simulation Conference, 1990. Proceedings., Winter
C. Dennis Pegden, Robert E. Shannon, Randall P. Sadowski, Introduction to
Simulation Using Siman, McGraw-Hill 1995 See also
List of computer simulation software References
External links Rockwell Arena
Rockwell Automation