Concepts for production modeling systems based on multiple user types

A production modeling system (PMS) is a computer-based modeling environment for developing and applying computer models in the production system design process. A PMS has several key characteristics including a single model representation of the system which enables multiple analysis types, adaptability of PMS functionality to the system under study, transparent information transfer between analyses, and gateways to external information sources. In addition, a PMS supports multiple user types including those that make decisions, those that use models to evaluate alternatives, those that construct models, those that tailor the PMS to the system under study, and those that build the software that provides the functionality of the PMS. A PMS is implemented through the integration of multiple analysis techniques such as simulation and optimization, databases, and knowledge bases