The Lanner Group is hoping to take event simulation out of its specialist realm and make modeling a day-to-day business event. The Redditch, England-based firm plans to do this through a marriage of existing products and Simulation Based Applications (SIMBA). SIMBA is a toolset designed to provide event and visual simulations and process modeling using ‘real data’ – current facts and figures, as well as historical data. The company will use the SIMBA based software package to create customized modeling systems. Among the existing products that will find their way into the package, include its Witness visual simulation software – which creates graphical diagrams or models of business processes, and Prosim – planning and scheduling software. David Jones, the group’s marketing director, says that SIMBA will be aimed at firms looking to simulate changes in plants, workflow processes, call center management and plan cost avoidance strategies. The SIMBA toolset was developed using COM and runs on Microsoft Corp’s NT. Lanner is also developing links to major ERP suites from SAP AG, Baan Company NV and JD Edwards. Packages cost between $33,000 at the low end, to $833,300 at the high end. Because of the customized nature of the software, Lanner works with customers to implement the software as well as with system integration and consultancy firms. Jones expects SIMBA branded software to be on the market in the first half of 1999. The Lanner group was formed by a management buyout from AT&T Istel in 1979. The firm is 49% owned by the venture group, 3i.