Adoption of discrete event simulation in manufacturing

Discrete Event Simulation has emerged as a crucial technology enabling manufacturing industries to model and optimize complex production processes in a virtual environment. This study investigates the role of simulation tools in industrial manufacturing using quantitative and qualitative survey data from professionals across several industries. The goal is to understand how simulation tools influence decision-making and what practical benefits they provide. Responses have been coded and categorized using thematic analysis. Initial findings show that production simulation improves equipment interaction assessments, supports change management through visualization, and helps identify unforeseen issues such as collision detection. The study also highlights challenges companies face in using simulation efficiently. Respondents reported that simulation improves decision-making by enabling clearer communication and better prediction of production outcomes. Views on the future of discrete event simulation are positive, with most respondents seeing it as a key tool for manufacturing digitalization over the next decade. This study presents a framework summarizing the benefits of production simulation and insights into improving and integrating it into industrial operations. The contributions highlight the need for organizational transformation to reach Industry 4.0 maturity. These findings offer useful insight for manufacturing companies considering implementing simulation technology.