Tool brings simulation to the desktop

The SIM4ME Portal constructs a simple, bidirectional communication link between the SimSci-Esscor PRO/II steady-state simulator and Microsoft Excel.

The SimSci-Esscor unit of Invensys Process Systems has introduced a new engineering tool that brings the power of advanced plant and process simulation and modelling to desktops everywhere without programming.

The new SIM4ME Portal constructs a simple, bidirectional communication link between the SimSci-Esscor PRO/II steady-state simulator and Microsoft Excel.

"Simulation is one of the most effective and efficient tools in engineering, but to the novice simulation user, the amount of work required to be able to benefit from an accurate and rigorous model can be overwhelming".

"The new SIM4ME Portal changes all that".

"Now individuals with no specialised simulation training or experience can capitalise on an existing simulation model and interact with that model from an Excel interface created by an expert user".

"The SIM4ME Portal effectively extends the use of simulation software to anyone that can use Excel" according to Tobias Scheele, Vice President and General Manager of the SimSci-Esscor unit of Invensys Process Systems.

The SIM4ME Portal enables developers to create a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that is PRO/II aware, allowing users to execute a PRO/II simulation from within an Excel application.

Application developers simply drag desired variables from a Windows-style menu, and drop them onto an Excel spreadsheet.

The variables are colour- coded to allow easy identification of the status of the variables.

"SIM4ME Portal has an excellent potential to highlight and manipulate key input and output design parameters, saving time for our process engineers", said a portal user from ABB Lummus Global.

The tool maximises return on investment in process models created by simulation experts by extending use of those simulations to an entirely new set of users.

RandD specialists, for example, can run "what-if" cases to evaluate changing feed or process conditions.

Maintenance personnel can use simulations to analyse equipment operations and predict future performance, for example, monitoring equipment health to prioritise and schedule maintenance.

Operators and engineers can evaluate process alternatives to resolve problems, optimise performance, or evaluate environmental impact of operating changes.

Engineers can calculate line or equipment sizing and costing based on a very accurate projection of the actual operation .The SIM4ME Portal is designed as a module so that all SimSci-Esscor simulation and modelling products will be able to communicate with Microsoft Excel.

SIM4ME Portal integration with SimSci-Esscor PRO/II 8.1 software is available immediately, with integration to Pipephase multiphase fluid flow simulation software targeted for the end of this year.

"The SIM4ME Portal has a clear development path to integrate more of SimSci-Esscor's simulation software products in addition to enhancing the product's base functionality".

"I believe that the SIM4ME Portal has unlimited potential and will truly enhance our users' experience with our simulation software products" added Joseph McMullen, the SIM4ME Portal Product Manager at Invensys.

The SIM4ME Portal promotes cost-effective engineering by preserving and leveraging plant model equity and facilitating improved inter-program communications.

The SIM4ME Portal's bi-directional data communication capabilities with Excel simplifies communications with other in-house and third-party software applications that can be integrated into complex modelling simulation and optimisation applications.

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