Manufacturers face no shortage of ideas for improving performance.
From investing in new equipment to redesigning layouts, optimizing schedules, and adopting digital transformation tools, the real challenge lies in choosing the right path forward. Traditional evaluation methods such as spreadsheets or physical trials struggle to capture the complexity of modern production systems and often introduce unnecessary risk and disruption.
This whitepaper from Autodesk explores how discrete event simulation helps manufacturers make better decisions throughout the factory lifecycle. By creating a detailed digital model of production systems, simulation allows teams to test scenarios, evaluate trade-offs, and predict outcomes without interrupting real-world operations.
The guide explains how discrete event simulation fits into the broader digital factory approach and why it plays a critical role in planning, design, construction, and ongoing operations.
You will learn how:
- Discrete event simulation enables manufacturers to test what-if scenarios without risk
- Autodesk uses simulation to support planning, design, build, and operational phases
- Simulation improves accuracy by accounting for variability and interdependencies
- Manufacturers reduce costs by identifying bottlenecks and avoiding unnecessary capital investments
- Digital models help teams validate decisions before implementation
- Simulation supports collaboration through realistic, data-driven visualizations
- Discrete event simulation prepares factories for future change and Industry 4.0 initiatives
The whitepaper includes real-world use cases across manufacturing, logistics, and construction. Examples show how simulation helped organizations optimize factory layouts, resolve production bottlenecks, validate capital equipment investments, and simulate years of activity in minutes.
The guide also outlines key criteria for selecting the right simulation solution, including flexibility, scalability, usability, and long-term performance. Autodesk highlights how FlexSim supports complex modeling with drag-and-drop design, prebuilt logic, and integration with broader digital factory and digital twin initiatives.
This whitepaper is designed for manufacturing leaders, operations managers, industrial engineers, and digital transformation teams seeking a practical, low-risk way to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and support continuous improvement.
Download the whitepaper from Autodesk to discover how discrete event simulation can help manufacturers make more confident, data-driven decisions across the factory lifecycle.
