Welcome to AAI's monthly Innovations, where we share with you the best practices in simulation engineering through case studies and industry experience. In this month's issue, we recap this year's case studies and published articles highlighting ways simulation is used to address many challenges throughout the global supply chain. We'd also like to take this opportunity to thank our readers and clients for a great year. We wish you the best of life and business in 2006.

Case Studies

Simulation Industry

• Simulation software: practical guidelines for approaching the selection process (May)

Transportation

• Using simulation to expand intermodal gateways (February)
• Simulations to support alternative transportation concept analysis (September)
• Challenges facing the intermodal community (November)

Manufactured Goods

• Optimizing resource utilization through proof-of-concept modeling (April)
• Improving wave planning through simulation to increase operational efficiencies (August)

Supply Chain

• Lowering distribution costs while maintaining customer service levels in a dynamic marketplace (June)
• Enhancing supply chain operations with the flexibility to thrive in a seasonal marketplace (October)

Postal

• Using simulation to support technology investment decisions at the United States Postal Service (July)

Healthcare

• Healthcare systems: using simulation modeling in the healthcare industry (January)
• Predicting accurate throughput for laboratory analyzers (March)

News Items & Publications

Automation Associates, Inc. is acquired by TranSystems Corporation (November). Read more.

Modern Materials Handling: Simulating WMS (March)

San Diego Union-Tribune: Virtual efficiency expert (August)

QSR Magazine: Tools Section: Simulating Success (November)

Nation's Restaurant News: Operators slow to embrace simulation technology (December)