What Simulation Solutions does

Simulation Solutions, Inc. is a private niche training simulator vendor headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma that has built process operator training software since its 1980 founding (originating as Atlantic Simulation). The company's core technology is a microcomputer-based process training simulator platform that pairs an emulated Distributed Control System (DCS) operator interface with an integrated Virtual Reality Outside Operator component, allowing trainees to manipulate field equipment whose behavior is reflected in real time on the DCS schematics. The product portfolio is organized into three tiers — Fundamental, Intermediate, and Advanced modules — totaling 40+ Standard Process Models covering pumps, valves, heat exchangers, distillation, reactors, compressors, and full process units, supplemented by Custom Process Models developed from site-specific plant data.

The company monetizes primarily through one-time simulator software licenses for industrial customers in oil refining, petrochemicals, chemical and pharmaceutical plants, gas and oil production, power generation, and desalination, plus professional services revenue from custom model development and 2-Day Operator Training Courses. The Virtual Unit Operations Package represents a subscription-based revenue stream targeting chemical engineering departments at universities and technical colleges. Sales motion is enterprise field-sales driven, initiated via "Request a Demo" web forms segmented by industry, with WebEx demonstrations and the structured INSTO™ 5-phase training methodology (Identification, Normal Operations, Startup & Shutdown, Troubleshooting, Optimization) as differentiating methodology.

In late 2019, Simulation Solutions' assets were acquired by PetroSkills, a global oil and gas competency development alliance, and the brand now operates as a subsidiary distributed through the PetroSkills Alliance network. The company maintains secrecy agreements with more than 70 process licensors and contractors (including Du Pont, Exxon, Foster Wheeler, UOP, and others) to access proprietary process information for simulation model development, and runs the ChemE-Sports annual collegiate competition that has drawn 80+ teams from 5 continents since 2019.

Name

Simulation Solutions

Legal name

Simulation Solutions, Inc.

Website

https://simulation-solutions.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Simulation Solutions, Inc. develops PC-based process operator training simulator software combining emulated DCS interfaces with Virtual Reality Outside Operator systems, serving oil refineries, petrochemical and chemical plants, power and desalination operators, and chemical engineering universities through the PetroSkills Alliance distribution network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Process Operator Training Simulation Software

NAICS

Computer Training (611420), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Serious Games & Simulation Studios (Training, Defense, Enterprise) (MPAFAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Safety, Compliance & Risk Training Simulations (EHS, OSHA, Hazard Response) (EDAFAJAD), Simulation, Scenario & Serious Games Design (EDAGAKAH), Simulation-Based Learning & Virtual Labs (EDAGAEAG)

Keywords

• Process training simulators
• Operator training software
• DCS simulation software
• Chemical engineering training
• Process simulation software

Headquarters

HQ city

Shrewsbury

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Operator Training Simulators: Sale of process training simulator software including DCS and Virtual Reality components. Simulators run on standard PCs, making them cost-effective for any process plant application.
2. 2-Day Operator Training Courses: Industry-proven operator training courses using generic training simulators with DCS simulation, Virtual Reality Outside Operator, and comprehensive Laboratory Exercise Booklets.
3. Virtual Unit Operations Package: Package for chemical engineering departments delivering Unit Ops labs in virtual environment, including process simulation, DCS/HMI interface, Virtual Reality Outside Operator, and eLearning curriculum.
4. Custom Process Model Development: Development of site-specific custom simulation models for advanced training requiring plant-specific start-ups, shutdowns, emergency response, and procedures validation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Simulation Solutions develops and sells process operator training simulator software that combines an emulated Distributed Control System (DCS) interface with a fully integrated Virtual Reality Outside Operator running on standard PCs. Its portfolio is built on a library of 40+ Standard Process Models, high-fidelity Custom Process Models developed from licensor data, the INSTO™ Methodology exercise booklets, and complementary offerings including the Virtual Unit Operations package for universities, Desalination Simulators, 2-Day Operator Training Courses, and the ChemE-Sports collegiate competition.

Product overview

Simulation Solutions offers a platform of process training simulators for the hydrocarbon processing and energy industries. The core product is the Operator Training Simulator software which includes both a DCS (Distributed Control System) component and a Virtual Reality Outside Operator that are fully integrated. The simulators are organized into three skill levels: Fundamental Modules (basic equipment like pumps, valves, heat exchangers), Intermediate Modules (distillation, gas turbines), and Advanced Modules (crude units, catalytic crackers, power plants). The portfolio includes 40+ Standard Process Models, Custom Process Models for site-specific training, the 2-Day Operator Training Courses using the INSTO™ Methodology, and the Virtual Unit Operations package for universities. The company also runs the ChemE-Sports Competition for collegiate students. In late 2019, Simulation Solutions assets were acquired by PetroSkills.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ChemE-Sports: Annual international collegiate competition in which Chemical Engineering students use PetroSkills' process simulation software to characterize hazards, troubleshoot upsets and failures in a system, and optimize a system for safety and profitability.
• INSTO
• Minds-On/Hands-On

Products and services

• Operator Training Simulators Core process training simulator software combining an emulated Distributed Control System (DCS) operator interface with a fully integrated 3D Virtual Reality Outside Operator that trainees can use to operate all equipment represented on the DCS in real time. The platform is licensed to refineries, petrochemical plants, chemical/pharmaceutical plants, gas and oil production facilities, power plants, desalination plants, LNG facilities, and pipelines to train operators on normal operations, startups/shutdowns, emergencies, and procedures validation without endangering live assets.
• Virtual Unit Operations Package Subscription-based package for chemical engineering universities and technical colleges that delivers Unit Operations labs in a fully virtual environment, combining industry-standard process simulation, DCS/HMI interface, Virtual Reality Outside Operator, and self-paced eLearning content with exercises focused on process dynamics, data analysis/collection, and safety.
• 2-Day Operator Training Courses Industry-proven operator training courses where operators improve skills on generic training simulators, combining DCS Simulation, Virtual Reality Outside Operator, and comprehensive Laboratory Exercise Booklets to develop new operating mechanics and an Operations Mindset, serving as an engagement entry point for enterprise customers.
• Desalination Simulators Dedicated training simulators for desalination processes including Multiple Effect Desalination and Reverse Osmosis, used to train personnel on seawater treatment and freshwater production at desalination facilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Plant personnel trained on Standard Process Models progress quicker and with greater results than those who began solely with Custom Process Models
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• PetroSkillscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2019In late 2019, Simulation Solutions assets were acquired by PetroSkills, a global leader in oil and gas competency development for over 50 years. PetroSkills is a global alliance of oil and gas companies focused on competency development. The acquisition expanded Simulation Solutions' reach through PetroSkills' established network and resources.
• Dr. Robert Bozic (Columbia University)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Dr. Robert Bozic to conduct the annual ChemE-Sports competition starting in 2019. Dr. Bozic offers a Chemical Engineering Safety Course at Columbia University that integrates Simulation Solutions' simulators. 2015 AIChE presentation presented jointly with Dr. Bozic.
• Process Licensors and Contractors (70+)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSecrecy agreements with more than 70 process licensors and contractors including Badger, CD TECH, Du Pont, Exxon, Foster Wheeler, Kellogg, Lummus, Phillips, Stone and Webster, STRATCO, UOP. These relationships permit Simulation Solutions to utilize process information received directly from the designing company, enabling accurate and complete simulation model data.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CORYS: CORYS builds dynamic operator training simulators and digital twins for refining, petrochemicals, and power — directly comparable to Simulation Solutions' DCS-integrated simulation products with similar enterprise field sales motion.
• GSE Solutions: GSE Solutions specializes in real-time, full-scope power plant and process plant operator training simulators, making it one of the closest direct competitors to Simulation Solutions in custom high-fidelity process simulation.
• Yokogawa (OmegaLand): Yokogawa's OmegaLand offers DCS-based operator training simulators for plant process control, directly competing with Simulation Solutions' DCS-emulated training modules that target the same engineering audience.
• Realtime Digital (Typhon Group): Realtime Digital delivers process simulation and operator training software for refining, petrochemicals, and energy markets, competing head-on with Simulation Solutions' PC-based, DCS-emulated approach.

Broad incumbents

• AVEVA (Schneider Electric): AVEVA offers process simulation and operator training solutions within its broader industrial software portfolio, serving many of the same refining and petrochemical customers as Simulation Solutions with cloud-native platforms.
• Aspen Technology (Aspen HYSYS / Aspen Plus): AspenTech's process simulation software is widely used for design and operator training in refining and chemicals, with integrated dynamic simulation capabilities that overlap with Simulation Solutions' simulator library and custom modeling work.
• Siemens Xcelerator (COMOS / Simit): Siemens provides process simulation and operator training software for power, chemicals, and oil & gas through its Xcelerator portfolio, overlapping with Simulation Solutions' DCS-emulated training approach at much larger enterprise scale.
• Honeywell Forge Process Simulation (UniSim): Honeywell's UniSim suite offers DCS-integrated operator training simulators for refining, petrochemical, and gas processing — directly competing with Simulation Solutions' core offering but as part of a much larger industrial software portfolio with greater R&D resources.

Emerging players

• Mynah Technologies (Emerson): Mynah Technologies offers dynamic simulation and operator training software integrated with Emerson DeltaV DCS, competing with Simulation Solutions' DCS-specific simulations in similar chemical and refining customer environments.
• Kongsberg Digital (Kognitwin / LedaFlow): Kongsberg Digital provides dynamic process simulation and digital twin solutions for oil & gas and energy, overlapping with Simulation Solutions' higher-fidelity training scope while expanding into cloud-based delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SimulationSolutionsInc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/simulation-solutions-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Simulation Solutions