An open-source discrete event simulation-based optimization package

The need for an optimal management of manufacturing and other types of complex systems is well recognized. In this context, simulation is widely used for an accurate model-ing of real systems, evaluating their performances and ana-lyzing the effects of alternative conditions and organiza-tional policies. General purpose and problem-oriented software packages have increased the diffusion of simula-tion as analysis tool in system management. Very interest-ing for real applications is a new methodology known as Simulation Optimization, in that it combines both simula-tion and optimization techniques with the objective of op-timizing the performance measures of a system. Some op-timization features have added in commercial simulation software, but they are not usually customizable. We de-scribe the architecture of an optimization package based upon DEOS, an open-source discrete-event simulation platform. Finally, a case study on a manufacturing system is proposed to show the effectiveness of the simulation op-timization package under development.