AnyLogic pour Mac

I'm reviewing the "Personal Learning Edition" of AnyLogic, which is now up to version 7.1.2. The PLE version is Free, but is definitely a crippled demo - you can only run simulations up to a simulated hour, which in the demos I tried was less than 5 minutes of simulation time. AnyLogic is really powerful, and a well put-together program. I particularly appreciate that all of the simulations in the famous "Business Dynamics" book are available. The unique power of this program is that it supports (and combines) multiple simulation techniques - discrete event and system dynamics, which are not combined in similar tools elsewhere. They've done a nice job of allowing you to package your simulations in ways that can be communicated to non-simulation experts. You can create 3D (or 2D) models, and have the simulation take place within those settings. I'm about to uninstall the PLE, because 3-5 minutes is just not enough time to play with and learn about models. If I get more serious, I'll apply for the academic version. In summary, "impressive program, but one star off for a heavily crippled 'learning edition'."

The version number here is a typo ( I presume). AnyLogic's current version is 6.6, not 3.6. You can read a Features List here: http://alna.typepad.com AnyLogic is the only simulation tool that works in all three major disciplines: Discrete Event, System Dynamics, and Agent-Based simulation. You can even combine these techniques in the same model to reduce "compromises" and "assumptions" and make your model's behavior closer to the system you are studying. It runs on Macs (and Windows and Linux). There are other commercial Mac tools for System Dynamics, and open source tools for Agent Modeling, but AnyLogic is the only Mac software to run Discrete Event modeling -- the most common form of simulation to be found in the business world! And, by default, the only mac tool that can combine these methods into a model. Being Java based it allows you to extend the application anywhere with your own code. YOu can even save and distribute your models as Java applets -- so your clients and colleagues can run them in any browser. Supports 3D modeling, automatic documentation, modeling wizards, excel I/O, extensive graph outputs and libraries of intelligent objects which allow to build complex models with just drag and drop. Because it has so many features it is hard to characterize -- it spans market segments occupied by both academic open-source tools as well as large scale commercial software. But, as the name implies, it might be the only simulation and detailed quantification app you'll ever need.

The $485 price is for a limited Educational license. According to their website, their US prices are: $6,199 Advanced Edition $15,800 Professional Edition I can't comment on the software itself since I have zero interest in it due to its price. I would rather buy Consideo, Flying Logic, Simgua, Quantrix, Office 2011, and a new 12-Core Mac Pro, and still save some money!