Frequently Asked Questions

Excel is a common tool used for simulation modelling. However, there are times when the analytics solution does not exist. This includes dynamic systems that feature:

• Non-linear behaviour
• Memory
• Non-intuitive influences between variables
• Time and casual dependencies

Formulas that are good for expressing static dependencies between variables fail to work when it comes to describing the systems with dynamic behaviour. This is where another modelling technology that is designed for analysing dynamic systems, simulation modelling, comes in.

At least a Core i5 or higher modern CPU with four cores or threads and 16GB of RAM. As long as there is enough RAM a slower CPU will mean slower runs and a less-responsive AnyLogic client.

Windows OS is the primary supported platform for AnyLogic. While it runs on Linux and Mac they have other limitations.

There is no expiration date for the PLE but it has limited capability compared to the full version.

Mentoring is done remotely and is not presently provided in person.

For more information on mentoring visit read more here.

AnyLogic internally uses log4j v.1, which is not vulnerable.

AnyLogic model may choose to use log4j v.2 for logging, but the nature of the vulnerability means even such models will not be vulnerable. This includes models run on the AnyLogic Cloud.

More information is available within AnyLogic Cloud 2.2.9 update.

System Dynamics

• A high-abstract method of modelling. It ignores the fine details of a system and produces a general representation of a complex system. These abstract simulation models can be used for long-term, strategic modelling and simulation.

Discrete Event Modelling

• Focuses on the processes in a system at a medium of abstraction. Specific physical details are not represented. This type of modelling is most commonly used in the manufacturing, logistics and healthcare industries.

Agent-Based Modelling:

• Focused on the individual active components of a system.
• In agent-based modelling, active entities known as agents must be identified and their behaviour defined. Connections between the agents are established, environmental variables set and simulations run. The global dynamics of the system can then emerge from the interactions of the many individual behaviours.
• Agent-based modelling can free itself from the limitations of the other two types of modelling. System dynamics models will contain assumptions, while discrete event models view organisations as several processes. While these approaches are more powerful than spreadsheet-based modelling, they ignore unique composition and complex relationships of individual models.

AnyLogic can combine these three methods of simulation modelling for efficient results.

Modelling is a way to solve problems that appear in the real world as a risk-free alternative.

Experimenting with real objects, i.e. building and destroying things, can be too dangerous or expensive. It is more feasible to leave the real-world and enter the modelling world, build a model of a true-to-life system and take out parts that are considered irrelevant to the problem that is being solved. A model is always less complex than the original system.

All server types, including regional, global and dongle, dongle-less now do not have a 24-hour hold on them.