TrustRadius Insights
FlexSim has proven to be a valuable tool for users across various industries, allowing them to model and understand complex systems. By …
Overview
What is FlexSim?
FlexSim is a 3D simulation modeling and analysis software designed to assist businesses in improving their systems and processes. According to the vendor, it is suitable for companies of various sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises. Professions and industries such as manufacturing, warehousing,...
Recent Reviews
Leaving a review helps other professionals like you evaluate Simulation Software
Be the first one in your network to review FlexSim, and make your voice heard!
Get StartedPricing
Entry-level set up fee?
- No setup fee
Offerings
- Free Trial
- Free/Freemium Version
- Premium Consulting/Integration Services
Would you like us to let the vendor know that you want pricing?
1 person also want pricing
Alternatives Pricing
What is SOLIDWORKS?
Dassault Systemes offers SOLIDWORKS, a computer-aided design (CAD) system for education and manufacturing supporting 2D or 3D design, electrical design, simulations, and product development with collaboration tools.
What is Autodesk Inventor?
Autodesk Inventor 3D CAD software offers professional-grade 3D mechanical design, documentation, and product simulation tools. These blend parametric, direct, freeform, and rules-based design capabilities. Inventor includes integrated tools for sheet metal, frame design, tube and pipe, cable &…
Product Details
- About
- Tech Details
What is FlexSim?
FlexSim is a 3D simulation modeling and analysis software designed to assist businesses in improving their systems and processes. According to the vendor, it is suitable for companies of various sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises. Professions and industries such as manufacturing, warehousing, material handling, supply chain, and healthcare reportedly utilize FlexSim for creating accurate simulation models, optimizing system performance, developing digital twins, emulating PLCs, supporting Industry 4.0 initiatives, analyzing value streams, and enhancing operational efficiency.
Key Features
Simulation Modeling: FlexSim allows users to create accurate 3D simulation models that represent real-world systems and processes. Users can model complex behaviors and variability to gain insights into system dynamics. Additionally, different scenarios can be simulated to analyze system performance and facilitate informed decision-making.
Optimization: FlexSim integrates with OptQuest, a simulation optimization engine, to identify optimal configurations for systems. The vendor claims that users can search through numerous possibilities to find solutions based on defined objectives. Optimization can be applied to various aspects, including production scheduling, network design, inventory management, and workforce planning.
Digital Twin: With FlexSim, users can develop digital twins of manufacturing, material handling, supply chain, or healthcare systems. These digital twins create virtual representations of physical processes, allowing users to understand and improve system performance. The vendor states that combining simulation with real-time data enables real-time analysis and optimization of system behavior.
PLC Emulation: FlexSim offers the capability to emulate Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) for simulating and testing control logic. Users can connect simulation models with external devices and systems to replicate real-world control processes. According to the vendor, this functionality allows users to validate control strategies and optimize system performance before implementation.
Industry 4.0: FlexSim supports Industry 4.0 initiatives by offering features such as digital twin modeling and PLC emulation. Users can model and simulate smart factories, intelligent warehouses, and automated material handling systems. The impact of emerging technologies like IoT, AI, and machine learning on system performance can be analyzed.
Value Stream Mapping: FlexSim enables users to analyze and optimize value streams to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and waste. The software allows users to visualize and map the flow of materials, information, and processes within a system. The vendor claims that this analysis helps users identify opportunities for process improvement and implement lean manufacturing principles.
Healthcare Simulation: FlexSim provides capabilities for modeling and analyzing complex healthcare systems, including hospitals, clinics, and emergency departments. Users can simulate patient flow, resource utilization, and capacity planning to improve operational efficiency. The vendor states that optimization of staffing levels, patient scheduling, and resource allocation can enhance patient care.
FlexSim Features
- Supported: 3D Imaging
- Supported: Continuous Modeling
- Supported: Direct Manipulation
- Supported: Motion Modeling
- Supported: Stochastic Modeling
- Supported: Graphical Data Presentation
- Supported: Presentation Tools
- Supported: Design Analysis
- Supported: Discrete Event Modeling
- Supported: Dynamic Modeling
- Supported: Agent-Based Modeling
- Supported: Industry Specific Database
- Supported: Monte Carlo Simulation
FlexSim Technical Details
| Deployment Types | Software as a Service (SaaS), Cloud, or Web-Based |
|---|---|
| Operating Systems | Web-Based, Windows |
Comparisons
Compare with
Reviews
Community Insights
TrustRadius Insights are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, 3rd-party data sources. Have feedback on this content? Let us know!
- Business Problems Solved
- Pros
- Cons
- Recommendations
FlexSim has proven to be a valuable tool for users across various industries, allowing them to model and understand complex systems. By providing visual analysis and verification of model workflows, users have been able to identify inefficient business processes and find the most efficient scenarios. This has been particularly helpful in researching and improving fulfillment processes in warehouses, where FlexSim has allowed customers to analyze capacity, tow motor usage, and congestion. Additionally, the software has been instrumental in identifying bottlenecks in buffer storage systems and justifying the need for outside simulations.
FlexSim's capabilities extend beyond warehousing as well. Users have leveraged the software to build virtual manufacturing sites for evaluating proposed automation and assessing electrified fleet options. It has also been successfully applied to simulate complex industrial automation and material handling systems, such as conveyor sortation, merging, recirculation, and palletizing. The ability to simulate high-rate designs has improved patient flow, provider productivity, and overall efficiency in healthcare settings. Furthermore, FlexSim has been used in consulting projects focused on order fulfillment systems, conveyor system design, material handling processes in clinics, railway yard modeling, inventory management, manufacturing process simulation, and visualizing industry 4.0 models. Its versatility enables users to minimize job traveling time, identify bottlenecks in manufacturing environments, aid in layout design decisions, improve crane operations, and simulate Kanban systems. Overall, FlexSim provides a cost-effective means of making layout changes and correcting design flaws before implementation. Its effectiveness in solving complex problems and finding optimal solutions for various industries has made it a trusted choice among users seeking to streamline their operations.
Powerful and Innovative Simulation Tool: Many users have found FlexSim to be a powerful and innovative simulation tool that accurately simulates real-time environments. It has the ability to simulate various industries and processes, such as steel foundry, plastic extrusion, education, 3D sand printing, mining sites, and machining processes. This versatility allows users to test different scenarios and identify the most efficient approach in their research projects.
Easy-to-Learn User Interface: The easy-to-learn user interface of FlexSim has been praised by many reviewers. They appreciate the drag and drop library feature which is considered the best. With this intuitive interface, users are able to create simulation models without extensive programming knowledge or the need for coding. This simplifies the process flow options and makes it easier for users to customize control logic according to their individual needs.
Helpful Customer Service: The customer service provided by FlexSim has received high praise from numerous users. They mention quick responses and helpful assistance for any doubts or problems they encounter while using the software. The availability of documentation, tutorials, and a dedicated forum also provide valuable resources for learning and getting support when needed.
Performance Issues: Some users have experienced issues with the software's performance as their models increase in size, resulting in a decrease in simulating speed and occasional model closure.
Limited Tutorials: Users have expressed frustration over the limited availability of tutorials for certain features, such as process flow and API integration with Python, which has hindered their ability to fully utilize the software.
Outdated User Interface: The user interface has been described as outdated and in need of improvement by several users.
Users of FlexSim have provided several recommendations for the software based on their experiences. Here are the three most common recommendations:
-
Utilize available help and training: Users recommend taking advantage of the resources and training materials provided by FlexSim to fully benefit from the software. Spending time learning the software and its functionalities is advised, especially for simulation work in warehouse and manufacturing environments.
-
Consider cost versus benefit: Users advise carefully considering the reason for purchasing a simulation software and weighing the cost versus the benefit. It is important to evaluate whether FlexSim's features and capabilities align with the specific needs of your business before making a purchase decision.
-
Use FlexSim for visualization and quantitative analysis: Users praise FlexSim as an exemplary product for visual and quantitative analysis. They recommend using it to simulate real-life scenarios, find bottlenecks, reduce cycle time, and experiment with different scenarios. The ease of use and understanding of the software is highlighted, along with its built-in report and manufacturing package features.
Overall, users recommend FlexSim as a valuable tool for simulation work in warehouse and manufacturing environments. They emphasize investing time in learning the software, considering the cost-benefit aspect before purchasing, and utilizing its capabilities for visualization and quantitative analysis purposes.