SOA-conform modeling as a highlevel standard for discrete modeling and simulation

Today, there is no universal standard for discrete simulation. Models, created with leading simulation tools can not be exchanged between the systems. This results in very high investments and maintenance costs for simulation studies and some additional problems with portability and performance in large simulations. This paper discusses a new and powerful approach by using Service Oriented Architectures (SOA). The integration of SOA-interfaces in simulation systems connects them to the common IT infrastructure of ERP-systems, business process modeling systems and web-services. In addition, the SOA standards BPMN and BPEL are also capable for simulation modeling. So after 30 years without standards, the SOA technology can open a new chapter in discrete simulation.