The simulation of logistics systems, in its most practical application in the different industrial and service sectors, tries to create a computer model of the system being studied and experiment with it. In the majority of cases the simulation experiments tend to be the most practical way to analyse different set ups and get answers to the type of question “What if?”. This allows us to evaluate the impact of a possible alternative that would act as support in a decision making process related to the operation or design of a system.

It is fundamentally developed for and focused on discreet events.

Among its objectives are the following:
1.- Aid the decision making process.
2.- Improve planning.
3.- Improve the productivity of systems whose behaviour depends on a large number of decision variables (complex logistic systems)
4.- Improve process knowledge.

Once a simulation model has been created it acts as a laboratory (SIMULATOR) in which we can easily verify, check, and adjust the different alternatives being studied.

As has been said, the simulation of logistics systems is converted into a systems analysis tool when we use it to be able to understand how an existing system operates OR it is converted into a systems design tool when we use it to see how a proposed system would comply with certain specifications.