Frequently Asked Questions about SimAssist

Getting Started and Basics

What is SimAssist?

SimAssist is a modular assistance software for the structured management, analysis, visualisation and documentation of data. It was developed for data from simulation projects, but it also processes data from other sources. The aim is to make results usable quickly and to present relationships in a way that supports decisions throughout the project.

Who is SimAssist suitable for?

SimAssist is primarily aimed at simulation users who want to evaluate and interpret results systematically. The software is suitable for newcomers to simulation and data analysis as well as for experienced users who need standardised and reproducible evaluations. Anyone who regularly has to analyse and prepare large volumes of data, even without a simulation background, can also use SimAssist.

In which industries is SimAssist used?

SimAssist is used in many industries, including the automotive industry and its suppliers, system integrators, intralogistics, retail, the electrical industry, sanitary engineering and the wood industry, as well as consulting firms.

Is SimAssist tied to a specific simulation software?

No. SimAssist processes data independently of the simulation software used. Whether the results come from Plant Simulation, AnyLogic or another software tool makes no difference to the evaluation.

Who develops SimAssist?

SimAssist is developed by SimPlan AG. The software emerged from the research projects AssistSim and EDASim and was launched as a standalone product in 2015. In addition to the software, SimPlan offers training, web seminars and support for users and developers.

What is SimAssist typically used for?

SimAssist is used in projects where large volumes of data have to be analysed and presented transparently. Typical tasks include:

• evaluating result data from simulation models
• identifying and visualising statistical trends
• comparing different scenarios
• creating charts and reports
• preparing data for project presentations

How does an evaluation with SimAssist work?

Working with SimAssist follows five steps:

1. The data to be evaluated is connected via a database or a file.
2. The data is viewed, edited, prepared and managed.
3. The data is evaluated using statistical and graphical functions.
4. The results are prepared in charts and tables.
5. The evaluation and the data used are documented, for example by exporting to PowerPoint.

Do I need programming skills?

No, the standard functions can be used without programming. If you want to extend your analysis, you can also work with SQL expressions or Python statements.

Modules and Functions

Which modules does SimAssist offer?

SimAssist consists of the basic module 4base and six further modules, which you combine as required:

• 4base: frame application and basic plug-ins for data management and data retrieval, for example database definition and tables.
• 2check: targeted retrieval and checking of data with variables, checking and SQL expressions.
• 2view: visualisation with SimChart, SimGantt, SimPie and SimVis.
• 2analyze: statistical evaluations such as categorization, confidence interval, distribution fitting, ABC analysis, correlation matrix and Python statements.
• 2document: project documentation with SimNote, export to PowerPoint and Excel, and reporting.
• 2calculate: calculation formulas for technical systems such as monorail, sorter and storage and retrieval machine.
• 2manage: creating, starting and managing experiments as well as simulating project plans with SimClient, SimProject and SimTarget.

On the Modules page, you will find a short video for many of the plug-ins.

Which charts and visualisations are possible?

The 2view module contains four plug-ins for graphical evaluation. SimChart lets you create charts, multi-charts and box plots. SimGantt displays sequences over time as a Gantt chart, and SimPie shows shares as a pie chart. SimVis offers further types of visualisation, including Sankey and chord diagrams. Chart settings can be applied to several plug-ins at once so that evaluations have a consistent look.

Which statistical evaluations does SimAssist offer?

The 2analyze module provides plug-ins from the field of statistics: categorization, confidence interval, distribution fitting, ABC analysis with Pareto chart and correlation matrix. With the Python statements plug-in, you can add your own evaluations.

What is the 2calculate module for?

2calculate brings together calculation formulas for technical conveyor and storage systems, currently for monorail systems, sorters and storage and retrieval machines. This gives you a quick overview of design-relevant parameters at the planning stage and helps you identify possible bottlenecks and system limits.

Can SimAssist control simulation experiments?

Yes. With the 2manage module, you create, start and manage experiments. This allows experiment scenarios and project plans to be examined and evaluated automatically. The SimClient plug-in currently controls experiments in Plant Simulation. It supports common design of experiments methods such as full factorial design, central composite design and Latin hypercube sampling and offers analyses such as clustering, regression analyses and classification trees. SimClient requires a Python installation and a specific back-end infrastructure. Please contact us for help with the setup.

Can I extend SimAssist with my own functions?

Yes. With a developer licence, you can create your own plug-ins tailored precisely to your evaluations. The developer training provides the knowledge you need. Alternatively, you can commission SimPlan to develop custom plug-ins.

Can I export results directly to PowerPoint?

Yes. With the PowerPoint plug-in in the 2document module, you transfer charts and tables to a new or existing presentation with one click. You can use your own template with your slide master. SimAssist assigns a unique ID to every exported figure, so you do not have to reassign updated results manually. In addition, you can export to Excel and as a Word or PDF document.

Data, Interfaces and Technology

Which data formats and databases does SimAssist support?

SimAssist reads common database formats, Excel spreadsheets and ODBC data sources. Specifically, these are SQLite, SQL Server, Access, Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL, ODBC, Excel and CSV. XML files are connected via the XPath interface. Depending on the database, the appropriate database provider must be installed. You will find details in the online help.

Can I import results from Plant Simulation directly?

Yes. SimAssist has its own interface for Plant Simulation tables in XML format. Results from other simulation tools can be imported via one of the supported databases or via Excel and CSV files.

Can I evaluate data from several sources together?

Yes. SQL queries can use several data sources across databases in one query. This allows you, for example, to link simulation results with master data from another database. Your own SQL queries can also serve as a data source for further queries.

What are the system requirements for SimAssist?

SimAssist is a 64-bit application for Microsoft Windows. The online help lists Windows 7 to 11. Support for Windows 7, 8 and 10 has ended, so Windows 11 is the right choice for new installations. In its basic configuration, SimAssist requires around 500 MB of disk space. You will also need:

• Microsoft .NET Framework 4.7.2 or higher
• Microsoft Edge WebView2 for the SimVis plug-in
• the appropriate database provider for your data source
• a Python installation for the Python statements and SimClient plug-ins
• a locally installed Microsoft Office package for exporting to PowerPoint and Excel (Office Online is not sufficient)

You will find all requirements in the online help.

Which version is current and where can I find what is new?

The current version is SimAssist 10.1 (as of November 2026). You will find all new features and bug fixes in the release notes and in the help section of the software. Customers with a maintenance contract receive new releases as part of their maintenance.

Does Python have to be installed?

Only for certain plug-ins. Since version 6.1, the Python statements and SimClient plug-ins require a Python installation on your computer. You install Python and the required packages yourself. You will find step-by-step instructions in the online help. All other functions can be used without Python.

Can I specify who may use which functions?

Yes. With the optional user management, you create users and groups and assign rights for entire modules or individual plug-ins. Once activated, users log in when starting SimAssist. Without user management, all users have access to the licensed range of functions.

How long is a SimAssist version supported?

Each release has a fixed end of support. Versions 10.0 and 10.1 are supported until the end of 2027, versions 9.0 and 9.1 until the end of 2026. The full overview is available in the online help.

Can I reuse an evaluation for new simulation runs?

Yes. A SimAssist project saves the data connection and the plug-in settings. When new result data is available, you update the project or individual plug-ins. Chart templates and chart settings can be saved and applied to other plug-ins. This ensures consistent and reproducible evaluations across many scenarios.

Licences and Free Trial

How is the SimAssist licence model structured?

You decide which modules you need. The basic module 4base is included in every licence package, and you choose all other modules freely. You can license additional modules at any time and extend SimAssist step by step. You will find details on the licence model page.

How much does SimAssist cost?

The price depends on the combination of modules you choose. We will be happy to advise you on which modules make sense for your task and send you a price list or a quotation.

Which licence types are available?

SimAssist is available as a single-user licence and as a server licence. The single-user licence is bound to a dongle (WIBU-Key) or to the MAC address of the computer. It must be located on the computer on which SimAssist runs. Access via a virtual machine is also possible with the appropriate licence. Server licences are provided via a licence server, and on request via a cluster of three servers. You can borrow a server licence for your computer for a limited period.

Can I test SimAssist free of charge?

Yes. With the free trial licence, you can use SimAssist for 30 days with all modules and plug-ins, without restrictions. You test the software in your own IT environment and with your own data. Request the trial licence via the contact form. You will then receive the download links and the licence information.

Will I receive support during the trial period?

Yes. Our support team will help you with installation, setup and use throughout the trial period. If you decide on SimAssist, we will advise you on the right modules and prepare a quotation.

Can I try out additional modules before buying?

Yes. As a licensee, you can also test all plug-ins free of charge for one month. This trial option is automatically included when your licence is delivered.

Are free viewer licences available?

Yes. SimPlan offers free viewer licences. They correspond to the read-only mode in which SimAssist also starts without a valid licence. You can open existing projects, adjust database connections, update projects with new data and filter and sort tables. Creating new projects, changing evaluations or using plug-ins from the module library is not possible. This allows colleagues, for example, to view results or update a prepared script with new data without creating evaluations themselves.

Are there special conditions for universities?

Yes. For universities, we offer discounted licence prices and a university rate for the user training. Please feel free to ask us.

Training, Support and Maintenance

Which training courses are available for SimAssist?

We offer three formats:

• User training: introduction to the modules and first steps with an experienced simulation expert.
• Developer training: the frame application from a technical perspective and everything you need to develop your own plug-ins.
• Web seminar: free overview with a live demonstration.

On request, we also hold training sessions at your company, tailored to your specific questions.

Where and in what format does the training take place?

The user training takes place as a one-day classroom course at our Regensburg branch or at our headquarters in Hanau. Online, it runs over two half days. For online training, you need your own computer with your own licence. For classroom training, we can provide training licences. We offer the developer training on request in Regensburg or Hanau. You will find dates and costs on the Trainings page.

What can I expect from the free web seminar?

In the web seminar, we use a sample project to show the typical workflow: importing data, evaluating it graphically and statistically and transferring the results to PowerPoint with a one-click export. Afterwards, our experts answer your questions. Participation is free of charge and non-binding, but it does not replace a training course.

What does the maintenance contract include?

The maintenance contract includes three services. You receive new software releases with new functions and bug fixes. We document reported errors and fix them with a patch, a workaround or in the next release. In addition, you can use personal telephone support and an online platform for support requests and release information.

How do I contact SimAssist support?

Please send error reports and questions to simassist@simplan.de. Customers with a maintenance contract can reach the support hotline during normal office hours on +49 6181 6107129.

Does SimPlan also support the introduction of SimAssist?

Yes. We advise you on which modules make sense for your area of application, show you the software in a personal demo and, on request, train your team on site at your company. If a function is missing, we develop custom plug-ins for your requirements. Please get in touch.