It is normal to use OPUS10^TM first to:

• Compare different alternatives
• Generate optimum spares allocations/assortments
• Generate optimal repair location
• Select cost-effective solution

Then to use SIMLOX to:

• Apply detailed mission data and study the impact of a dynamic mission profile
• Apply data for the model extensions such as robbing and study the effects on system availability
• Run selected stock allocation point
• Analyse the impact of the time dimension
• Compare system Measure of Effectiveness (MoE) with requirements

This approach enables the advantages of both models to be felt. The OPUS10^TM advantages are:

• OPUS10^TM optimises, SIMLOX analyses
• A complete C/E curve
• Life support cost (LSC) calculations
• Can compare different strategies in a simple cost-effective way
• Very fast
• Mature software

The SIMLOX advantages are:

• More flexible than OPUS10^TM
• Detailed mission profiles
• Flexible and time dependent
• Explicit missions that are performed at certain points in time
• Variable utilisation profile
• Cancel missions in minimum assets not available
• Many mission types
• Time dependencies/aspects can be modelled
• More accurate system MoE
• Ability to track resources and spares through the simulation
• Percentiles on results
• Mean values and standard deviations can be presented

The SIMLOX results are similar to OPUS10^TM but there are a number of differences:

• Lower values due to aspects such as maintenance resource availability, batched transports, damages and utilisation varying over time
• Higher values due to aspect such as cannibalisation, robbing, loans between bases and repair prioritisation
• Non contiguous demand generation
• Failures/damages only effects systems when operating
• Ability to limit the number of failed items per system
• Non steady state
• Parallel repair
• Delayed sub item demand

SIMLOX is thus a tool that can enable capability assessment and to analyse if requirements cam be met or to formalise those requirements, for instance:

• The fraction of successful mission must exceed X%
• The number of aircraft on ground must not exceed Y in any 24 hour period with a confidence of 90%

SIMLOX Version 3 Enhancements
SIMLOX Version 4 Enhancements