At the landmark 50th Operational Research Society Conference (York, 9–11 September 2008), we had the opportunity to run a discussion session on simulation software. Rather ambitiously called ‘Simulation Software: Evolution or Revolution’, the idea was to continue the debate started in our forward-looking survey that appeared in the first issue of JOS (CitationTaylor and Robinson, 2006) by focusing on simulation software. After a brief presentation the 25 or so attendees were invited to reflect on four areas of simulation software: simulation technology, simulation applications, simulation practice and simulation experimentation and analysis. The attendees were both researchers and practitioners from an OR/MS background. The results of these are presented in , , and without bias—we leave it to the reader to decide upon the relative merits of each for themselves. We encourage others to hold similar sessions (as an occasional alternative to a panel) and to submit the results to JOS. The process and the outcomes can be quite surprising!
Table 1 Simulation technology issues
Table 2 Simulation applications
Table 3 Simulation practice
Table 4 Simulation experimentation and analysis
Our third volume marks a shift from three issues to four. In this issue Boer, de Bruin and Verbraeck report on a survey of distributed simulation in industry. Van der Zee and Slomp consider a case study on the alternative use of simulation for training industrial workers in new working procedures. Finley et al present an efficient computation-based algorithm for effecting round-robin service in discrete-event simulation. Onggo discusses a multi-faceted representation of conceptual models to initiate discussion between stakeholders and demonstrates its use with a case study in healthcare. Longo and Mirabelli attempt to develop an effective design of an assembly line for heaters production by taking into account work measurement, line balancing and ergonomic problems. Finally, Corriea and Viagas describe a conceptual model of a simulation for studying alternative measures to reduce the number of automobiles travelling every day to city centres.