ProModel

The ProModel Methodology

Visualize Create a dynamic, animated computer model of your business environment from CAD files, process or value stream maps, or Process Simulator models. Clearly see and understand current processes and policies in action.

Analyze Brainstorm using the model to identify potential changes and develop scenarios to test improvements which will achieve business objectives. Run scenarios independently of each other and compare their results in the Output Viewer developed through the latest Microsoft® WPF technology.

Optimize Immediately test the impact of changes on current and future operations, risk free, with predictive scenario comparisons. Determine optimal business performance with a high probability of meeting your business goals.

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The ProModel Advantage ProModel provides decision makers the opportunity to test new ideas for process and 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 System Capacity Process Improvement Throughput and Bottleneck Analysis Supply Chain and Logistics Customer Service Levels

By modeling the important elements of a manufacturing, logistics or service system, leaders can experiment with different operating strategies and designs to achieve optimal performance for their organizations.

Six Sigma Initiatives Enhance the effectiveness of Analyze and Improve steps of the DMAIC Methodology. Experiment to ANALYZE how the system responds within the model and develop a total continuous IMPROVEMENT strategy in a dynamic, risk-free environment. Learn more

Manufacturing Performance Improvement Increase throughput by optimizing your processes, systems, and resources Learn more

Supply Chain and Logistics Improve the performance and predictability of your supply chain without costly delivery interruptions Learn more

Product Summary The ProModel Optimization Suite is a discrete-event simulation technology that helps you to make better decisions faster. It is used to plan, design and improve new or existing manufacturing, logistics and other tactical and operational systems. It empowers you to accurately replicate complex real-world processes with their inherent variability and interdependencies, to conduct predictive performance analysis on potential changes, and then to optimize the system based on your key performance indicators. Download

Learn About ProModel Discover ProModel-specific training, tutorial, and how-to videos. Explore our training resources, online help, and view our pre-recorded webinars to help further your knowledge of ProModel. Go here

Training Resources Online Resource Library Consulting Services

ProModel: with Six Sigma Analysis and Minitab

 

 

 

ProModel 10.9.124 (November 2021)

 

Enhancements and Improvements

• Additional logic added in ProModel to Operational or Move Logic will no longer get lost.
• Output Viewer COM enhancements:
• Added ability to export Time Series data for Entity Count using COM.

ProModel AutoCAD® Edition

(Requires additional subscription license)

ProModel AutoCAD Edition now allows the user to build and simulate directly in AutoCAD 2020, 2021, and 2022 leveraging Factory Design Utilities.

Enhancements and Improvements

• Multiple outgoing routes to the same destination location will no longer leave duplicates in the built model.
• Debug and Runtime error windows will no longer get lost behind the simulation window.
• Debug and Runtime error windows will now color-code the logic correctly.
• Using an ALL entity flow on a non-English AutoCAD will now properly compile and run.
• The “Entities:” label was changed to “Entity:” for flow properties.
• Added missing space between the depth label and the unit for entity properties.
• Fixed rare issue with certain CPU’s that will crash AutoCAD when building graphics during compilation.
• When creating a flow, the prompt for an entity will now properly allow you to click the All keyword.
• Improvements with German translation in Simulation Properties

ProModel 3D Animator for Inventor®

(An add-on to ProModel AutoCAD® Edition)

Enhancements and Improvements

• Forge Animation improvements with entity spot placement for multi-capacity locations. — Entities now flow to the proper placement of entity spot locations with multi-capacity.
• Resolved issues observed with 3d animation if the simulation was run with animation turned off.

 

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ProModel 10.9.112 (October 2021)

 

Enhancements and Improvements

• Output Viewer COM enhancements:
• Output Viewer with exporting Time Series of variables where the correct date format was not formatted correctly upon COM export
• Output Viewer had missing datapoints resolved - upon export through COM there was a missing data point.
• Navigating from Background Graphics issues resolved: This was an issue introduced when models are protected modules access is not available.
• Default Graphics Library is now set to PROMODEL.GLB.
• Upgraded LIBXL for PMServer - this update handles IF functions better with regard to arrays.

 

ProModel AutoCAD® Edition

(Requires additional subscription license)
ProModel AutoCAD Edition now allows the user to build and simulate directly in AutoCAD 2020, 2021, and 2022 leveraging Factory Design Utilities.

Enhancements and Improvements

 

• Flow Improvements - Flow can now only have 1 Entity assigned to the flow. We have added the option as well for you to choose ALL for the entity. The ALL statement will allow the flow to use ALL entities added to the model.

• Duplicate Flows - Flows can now easily be duplicated so that the same process flow could be used by a different entity. Simply Right click a flow and select duplicate.

• Ability to rename Entities - from within routing users now have the option to pick a new name for the entity. The new named entity MUST have its own Flow.

• Location Counters - Locations now have a default counter. You can choose to have a location capacity counter in one of four places.

• Load/Unload - material handling can now be enhanced with ability to load and unload entities. Each entity will need to be in a separate flow. Base entities call in logic for entities to load to them. The loading entities must use route to the base entity’s destination. When an entity is uploaded from the base entity, it will require its own flow.

• Group/Ungroup - material handling can now be enhanced with ability to group and ungroup entities. You can group the same entity or multiple entities into a group. Each entity will need to be in a separate flow. Groups can be given a new name, but the new named entity must exist in the Simulation Browser, and the Entity must have its own flow. When an entity is ungrouped, the entities will require their own flow.

• Improve capturing of background graphics - We found that there could be an issue if there was a rotation done to the drawing. We enhanced the model simulation/creation so that ProModel rotates the viewport to top view prior to compiling the simulation.
• Model Packaging - Now users can easily share the project they were working on with their team.  From the ribbon you can now create a package file and choose to include the inventor files if needed (this is a must for working in our 3D solution) If the user would like to install a package, they can do so from the ribbon or through file association; simply double click the PMAPKG file and choose where to unpackage the files. The model will open and associate with the correct Inventor® project.

ProModel 3D Animator for Inventor®
(An add-on to ProModel AutoCAD® Edition)

Features
ProModel 3D Animator for Inventor is our new 3D solution which now allows the user to take the model that they have created with Factory assets in AutoCAD to be opened in Inventor Professional and simulate in 3D the animation of your model. This new add- on works with Inventor Professional 2020, 2021, and 2022 leveraging Factory Design Utilities.
Opens the Animation viewer which loads the model and starts animation. The user can speed up, slow down pan, rotate and zoom in and out of the animating model.

We are excited to make this change that will enhance your experience using ProModel/MedModel. If you need any further assistance making this change please contact our tech support team at support@promodel.com and we will be happy to assist you

 

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ProModel 10.8.81 (August 2021)

 

Enhancements and Improvements



• Added all new student models for new edition of “Simulation Using ProModel”

 

ProModel AutoCAD® Edition



ProModel AutoCAD Edition now allows the user to build and simulate directly in AutoCAD 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 leveraging Factory Design Utilities.

Enhancements and Improvements



• Added options section in ribbon to change default time.





• Conditional routes are now added to the routing options to destinations.  Users can route based on entity names, or attribute, macro, and variable values.





• Enhancements to Simulation Ribbon buttons.
• Localization enhancements.
• Improved validation for route types.
• Improvements to model compilation.
• Improved on screen variable counters.
• Improved how background is captured for simulation.
• Improved duplication of scenarios.
• Improved arrivals.

 

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ProModel 10.7.53 (June 2021)

 

Enhancements and Improvements



• Improved issues reported with cranes associated with scheduled resources

 

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ProModel 10.6.33 (May 2021)

 

Enhancements and Improvements



• Improved Scenario grids
• Improved window section focus
  
• Improved Subroutine module stability
  
• Grid Blank Out resolved
  
• Caret selection stability improvements
  
• Tabbing stability issue improvements
  
• Logic tool tips improvements to display more intelligently
  
• Entity spot graphic in the grid improved view
  
• Improved Issues with model protection
  
• Improvements to dynamic plots
  
• OV viewer issues with resource name length improved
  

 

ProModel AutoCAD Version

This new Standalone software will require an additional subscription license.

It is also available as a standalone software.

ProModel AutoCAD Edition now allows the user to build and simulate directly in AutoCAD 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 leveraging Factory Design Utilities.

ProModel AutoCAD Edition allows the user to build directly within AutoCAD:

• Locations
  
• Conveyors
  
• Process Flows
  
• Resource
  
• Path Networks
  
• Build Scenarios
  
• Simulation Options
  
• Push the model to ProModel for more advanced modeling capabilities

Once your model is build you can Simulate directly within the AutoCAD environment.

We are excited to make this change that will enhance your experience using ProModel/MedModel. If you need any further assistance making this change please contact our tech support team at support@promodel.com and we will be happy to assist you.

 

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ProModel 10.5.2.3726 (March 2021)

 

Enhancements and Improvements



• Moved General Information to the Home Ribbon
• Improvements with Write statements
• Routing bounding box enhancements
• Shift Carryover improvements
  
• Downtime grid stability improvements
  
• Subroutine stability improvements
  
• Improved crane stability
  
• Improvements to Graphic Editor
  
• ProGraphic stability for 64 bit Excel

 

ProModel Autodesk Version

• ProModel Autodesk Edition now allows Resource in your DWG model
  
• Static resources - selecting a block or asset to represent a resource
  
  
  
  
• Dynamic resources - resources selected on the layout can be assigned to a path network
  
• ProModel Autodesk Edition now supports path networks.
  
• Create a path network; unidirectional and bidirectional
  
• Nodes can be named
  
• Node can have limits
  
• Interface with locations
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Entities now can have several shapes and colors to choose from
  
  
  
  
• Entities are now scalable for the whole model

 

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ProModel 10.5.0.3688 (December 2020)

 

Enhancements and Improvements



• Auto Orientation for Entities graphics while on conveyors.
• Entities by default now rotate based on the orientation of the conveyor settings Widthwise (right side of the entity graphic) or lengthwise (top of the entity graphic).



• Issues with background color changes while panning during simulation improved.
• Runtime errors improvements.
• Regular bug fixes.

 

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ProModel 10.4.2.3678 (October 2020)

 

Enhancements and Improvements



• Licensing improvements from COM
• Resolved issues with SaveAs related to COM
• Improvements to COM command abilities
• Statistic collection stability enhancements
• Scenario manager display issues resolved
• Resolved Model Print text issues.
• Improvements regarding Save and SaveAs related to the ProModel.INI
• Licensing stability improvements
• Regular bug fixes.

ProModel Autodesk Edition

• ProModel’s Autodesk Edition, now allows for users to mark conveyor factory assets as conveyor that can be used as part of the Process Flow.
• Give the conveyor a name
• Select the assets that make up the conveyor
• Choose the starting segment of the conveyor to complete the creation process
• You can then modify the conveyor properties and use in your Process Flow



• Improved granularity of DWG imported to the ProModel Model. This provides extremely high resolution along with precise placement of conveyor and location assets.

 

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ProModel 10.4.0.3594 (July 2020)

 

Enhancements

System Function

• DistanceTraveled() - Returns the distance traveled of a resource; and its unit/s.

ProModel Autodesk® Edition

• ProModel’s Autodesk® Edition, now allows the user to start building your model right inside of AutoCAD® Architecture or Mechanical. Users can now mark assets as locations, assign entities, and define process flows within the DWG file which can then be opened as a model to scale in ProModel.



• Changes to the DWG can be performed; move assets, walls add additional CAD elements; opening the drawing in ProModel will reflect those changes.
• You can add from the Simulation Browser Locations, Entities and Flows directly in the AutoCAD DWG file along with the associated properties:

Locations:

• Added from selecting Assets within the DWG file. (or from creating a Flow)
• Asset name is used but can be changed when marked as a Location.
• Capacity for the Location can be changed.


Entities:

• Added from within the Simulation Browser Entities tab or from creating a Flow selecting Assets



Flows

• The Process flow that will be mapping out the processing within the .MOD that is generated from the DWG.
• Select an asset in the DWG file and click the next asset to create the route and next location.
• Each Section has Properties that add value to the model.
• Flows can be modified. Branching, and changing locations for destinations are allowed as well.



• Opening in ProModel provides a model that can simulate right out of the box; which can be added upon to provide more feature rich value to the modeled system.

 

Fixes and Improvements




• Save As improvements.
• Dynamic Plot enhancements.
• Tank creation improvements.
• Conveyor stability improvements.
• Graphic Editor stability improvements.
• Additional language support with licensing.
• Support for Minitab 19.
• Improvements with Model Collaborator opening the model after saving.

 

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ProModel 10.3.1.3536 (April 2020)

We are pleased to announce the latest release of ProModell. This product is available through the auto update within the software:





You can also get a copy as well from our downloads site (just ask support to send you a link).
We have been working on some key improvements. 

Enhancements



• Improved error logging
• Improved array import stability
• Enhancements to licensing stability
• Resolved ability to disable shift in right-click menu
• Stability with hotkey improved
• Regular bug fixes




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ProModel 10.3.0.3502

With the next update From 10.2 to 10.3 your serial numbers and hardware keys for both stand alone and networking licenses will no longer work going forward; so just follow the procedure below to transition to the improved system.
 
All customers that are current on Maintenance and Support contracts will simply install the software on their machine and create a user account which they will then log in with. Below is a outline of the new licensing process that will allow the following:
 

• Improve the ability to move from machine to machine without termination of license.
• Give ability to check out a license and go offline
• Enhance network license capability
• No license software or hardware is now required to reside or be maintained on a server.

If you have a hardware key, please contact your sales rep to set up a process to return the hardware and set up the new license.

How to License ProModel Software Products



1. After installing the new update, start the application.
2. A login prompt should appear. Choose Sign Up to create your new ProModel account (Use your company email that ProModel Support used to add you to our new licensing system. It should be the email used to send you this message) You can also choose to authenticate with an Autodesk User Account for convenience.




3. Create a password for your new ProModel account
4. Click Sign Up and then the following message should appear:



5. Go to your email program to get the Verify Email sent to you



6. Click on the Verify My Email button in the email and it should open a web page with the following verification message:



7. Now return to the ProModel application and click the Login License button in the ribbon:



8. This will open the login screen again. Enter your email address, newly created password and then click the Log In button.




9. Good Job -  You have created a ProModel account. Next you will connect this account with the new ProModel licensing system. So you will get the following prompt:



10. Click the Request Code button and you should receive this message:



11. Click OK and then go to your email and get the Auth Code that was sent to you.
12. Copy the Auth Code and then enter it into the following dialog:



13. Click Send Code and you should now be successfully signed into the application!
    
    

Enhancements

Office 64 bit support

• Office 32 bit and 64 bit are now supported for import/export, as well as ActiveX.
  
  

Fixes and Improvements



• Shift Carryover improvements
• Resolved issues with scenario manager
• Array export sheet naming issues
• Regular bug fixes

Thank you for your continued support of ProModel. We are excited to make this change that will enhance your experience using ProModel products. If you need any further assistance making this change please contact our tech support team at support@promodel.com and we will be happy to assist you.

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What's New in ProModel 2018 SP3





Enhancements


Entity Spot Enhancements 

• Entity Spots now will resize based on the zoom percent of the model. Drastically improving scaling ability. 

Background Graphic to Scale 

• With the Background Graphic to Scale option in the Insert Ribbon, you can select a background image, including DWG (requires AutoCAD® to be installed on your machine). 



• The image can be zoomed in and out, and panned to find the correct section of the image that you want to place markers on to indicate distance and grid units desired. The image will be placed in the model as the background scaled accordingly to your specifications. 

Unique Graphic Libraries 

• Each model will now have the ability to have a unique Graphic Library located in the same directory as the model is stored. 

 

Fixes and Improvements 



• Additional grid stability improvements 
• Macro stability improvements  
• Enhancements to Array properties 
• Improvements to Contextual Help 
• Regular bug fixes 

 

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What's New in ProModel 2018 SP2





Enhancements

System Functions

• ScenarioName() - Returns current scenario name when the function is invoked in logic; providing ability for more custom reporting.
• SysClock() - Returns the System Date and Time when the function is invoked in logic; providing ability for more custom reporting.




Fixes and Improvements



• Resolved logic window stability
• Shift carryover improvements
• Auto Update improvements.
• Grid stability improvements
• File save stability improvements
• Regular bug fixes

 

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What's New in ProModel 2018 SP1

We are excited to announce the release of ProModel and MedModel 2018 SP1.

Enhancements



• Macros are usable in Array import/export fields
• Macros can replace File, Sheet, and Cells
• Users can now experiment with Array import and export by changing the macro scenario parameters






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What's New in ProModel 2018?

Ribbon UI

The traditional menus and toolbars have been replaced with a fluent Ribbon bar like the one you find in Microsoft Office applications. The new Ribbon makes it easier to access the various modules and features within the application and better facilitate touch screen and high-resolution devices.



Quick Access Toolbar

Add highly used ribbon buttons to the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) for fast and easy access to the program functionality they provide (located in the upper left corner of the application). Either select an option from the Customize menu or right-click on a button in the ribbon and choose to add it to the QAT.



Docking Windows

Windows are now docked within the new workspace interface, which means that when you adjust the size of one window, the others automatically resize accordingly. Say goodbye to overlapping windows. You can also stack windows on top of each other and quickly access them from their respective tab thus saving valuable view space. Windows even proportionally adjust when you resize the entire application.



Window Persistence

Tired of leaving a module only to return and have to reopen its sub-windows? In this new release, all windows persist! If you leave one module for another (e.g. to create a new global variable), when you return to that module, all its previously open windows will be reopened.

Right-Click Context Menus

Context menus are available in every table and accessible by right-clicking in any field within that table. For example, you will be able to quickly delete, insert or move a record with a simple right-click of the mouse. The right-click context menus in Background graphics are improved and provide new access to editing other modeling elements such as locations and variables.



Recent Model List

The list of recently opened models in the File application menu has been expanded from five to up to 19. Pin your favorite model files to the top of the list and hover over any model name to reveal the full path to the model.



Single Background Graphics Mode

No more discussion or decision on whether to go to Front of Grid or Behind Grid mode when creating background graphics. You simply just go to Background Graphics for editing images. Create shapes, add text and import pictures through the new Insert ribbon.



Enhancements




• New and updated hotkeys for fast access to key modules and application features.
  
• Super Tooltips appear revealing hotkeys and help snippets when hovering over ribbon buttons, and selecting F1 opens online context help for the given button.
  
  
  
  
• Variable labels can be quickly created using the hotkey Ctrl+T and then clicking on the Layout.
• SimRunner Input Factors have been expanded beyond the previous limit of 500.
  
• Simultaneously run an optimization in SimRunner and continue editing your model.
  
• Conveniently cycle through all open windows using Ctrl+Tab.
  
  
  
  
• Name-Index Numbers are displayed in right-click context menus.
  
• Selecting Continuous Trace now opens a window and begins tracing (like Step Trace Events).
  
• When exporting your model to a text file, you are now prompted whether or not to open it right away.
  
  

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What's New in the 2016 SP1 release?

Resource Distance Traveled Statistics

The distance your resources travel over the course of a simulation is now collected and reported in Output Viewer. It is displayed as Total Distance Traveled in Resource Summary reports and tracks the overall distance traveled for individual units.



Identify Captured Resource Units

In addition to determining which resource you’ve captured, you can now find out the specific unit of that resource as well. With the new OwnedResourceUnit() function, you can get the unit number of any resource owned by an entity. This is useful when collecting custom resource statistics at the individual unit level.

In-Process Resource Utilization Statistics

Access the utilization of your resources at any time during simulation. Using the newly modified PercentUtil() function, you can find out the utilization of individual units of a resource or a summary of all units of a given resource type. This allows you to make dynamic logical decisions or write out custom statistics to a CSV or Excel file.

Utilization for a specific resource unit


Utilization of all units for a resource type



Quickly Access Element Definitions

Have you ever been writing or viewing logic, and wanted to quickly see the definition (or details) of a specific subroutine, array, location, etc.? Well, now you can! Simply highlight that model element in logic, press the F12 key, and you will be taken to that element’s specific record in its edit table. For example, if you highlight a subroutine name in logic and press F12, you will be taken to its exact record in the Subroutine table.

Programmatic Export of Statistics

The statistical results of your simulation runs can be programmatically accessed through a new API to Output Viewer. You can get the raw data, down to the individual replication, or have it summarized or grouped (just like in Output Viewer) prior to accessing it. Either way, you can access your results, for example to load into Excel or a database, for analysis outside of Output Viewer.

As an example, this is a Time Plot in Output Viewer where the time series data is averaged over a custom period of 15 minute intervals.


Using the new API, you can have Output Viewer summarize the data into 15 minute intervals prior to exporting it to Excel.


The exported format makes it easy to create a Pivot table and Pivot chart in Excel.


Enhancements




• When exporting Array data at the end of simulation, the replication number is no longer written out in the Excel Sheet name if “Export after final replication only” is checked.
• Minitab version 17.3 is now supported

 

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What's New in the 2016 release?

Simplified Single Click Installation and Licensing

Enter you Serial Number and Email address and click Install. Nothing more to do as the software is installed and licensed without further action.






Intellisense Optional

If you like to enter your model logic freely, in your own format and without prompts, you can turn off the Intellisense feature and write your logic however you like.




Shift Carryover and Grouped Entities

Resources that entities capture prior to grouping, and any that the grouped entity subsequently captures, can be pulled off shift and replenished through this shift carryover capability. The grouped entity will only resume processing once all resources have been replaced.

Failed Arrival Statistics for Ordered Entities

Previously, only explicitly defined entity Arrivals automatically collected stats when failing to arrive (due to a lack of available capacity). Now, you can individually control which entity-location Order statement reports when it fails to arrive at its ordered location.

 

 

 

COMPONENT	REQUIREMENT
Computer and processor	1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x86-64) processor
Memory	1 GB RAM (32-bit); 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
Hard disk	1.5 GB available disk space
Operating system	Windows 10
Other	Internet access (for online registration and updates)