Software Update: Enterprise Resource Simulator (ERS®) 0.7.1.

Software Update: Enterprise Resource Simulator (ERS®) 0.7.1.

We’re excited to announce the release of Enterprise Resource Simulator (ERS®) version 0.7.1, the latest version of our high-performance simulation platform for developers. 

ERS® enables software teams to build powerful, domain-specific simulation applications on top of a modern simulation engine, supporting discrete event, agent-based, and hybrid simulation models. 

This release introduces Dear ImGui support, Channels, stability improvements, and bug fixes designed to make developing simulation applications more efficient. 

What's new in ERS® 0.7.1?

View release notes
View release notes

Build Powerful Tools with Dear ImGui 

One of the highlights of ERS® 0.7.1 is the addition of Dear ImGui (Immediate Mode Graphical User Interface) support. 

Dear ImGui is widely used for building fast, responsive tools for engineers, developers, and technical users. By integrating Dear ImGui into ERS®, developers can rapidly create user interfaces without the overhead typically associated with traditional GUI frameworks. 

This makes it particularly useful for developing: 

  • Interactive simulation dashboards 
  • Debugging and monitoring tools 
  • Model configuration panels 
  • Custom editors and visualizers 
  • Engineering applications with real-time feedback 

ERS® now provides developers with more flexibility to build intuitive interfaces that integrate closely with their simulation logic. This enables faster prototyping, shorter development cycles, and responsive applications capable of interacting with complex simulation models. 

Introducing Channels 

ERS® 0.7.1. also introduces Channels, providing a structured and efficient way for simulation components to exchange information. 

Channels make communication between components cleaner and more scalable, helping developers build modular, maintainable, and reusable simulation applications. 

Whether you’re modelling logistics systems, manufacturing processes, transportation networks, or digital twins, Channels simplify the exchange of information throughout your simulation models while helping to keep the application architecture clean and extensible. 

Stability and Performance Improvements 

In addition to these new features, ERS® 0.7.1 includes bug fixes, performance optimizations, and stability improvements across the platform, providing an even more reliable foundation for developing simulation applications. 

Get Started with ERS® 0.7.1

ERS® is built for developers who need the freedom to create custom simulation solutions rather than being limited by traditional simulation software. 

Whether you’re developing digital twin applications, decision-support tools, or entirely new simulation products, ERS® provides the performance, flexibility, and extensibility needed to build simulation technology around your specific use case. 

Learn more
Learn more
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Simulation Digital Twins: A Crowd Management and Revenue Enhancement Tool

Simulation Digital Twins: A Crowd Management and Revenue Enhancement Tool

Text by: Gary Gardner, VP North America Operations, InControl Enterprise Dynamics
Published in: Gameday Security Magazine 

Crowd Management entails areas of concern involving the end-to-end event fan journey

  1. It begins with how people arrive: car (think parking), bus, rail, rideshare, and their pathways to the venue.
  2. Next is entry, queuing, screening, and ticket scanning.
  3. Once guests are in the venue, they will circulate and enjoy concessions, advertising activations, and
    merchandise sales.
  4. Some incidents during the event may require evacuation or sheltering.
  5. Finally, ensuring a smooth departure to a transportation mode.

Simulation is a powerful tool for event crowd management because it can model, analyze, and predict/anticipate
crowd behaviors in a safe, controlled, and cost-effective manner.

The goal is to leverage the best technologies coupled with the best human team to provide the best experience.

Simulation digital twin modeling has evolved from one-off ingress, evacuation, and sheltering models of a venue using historical data for predictive analytics to simulating each event using real-time data integration to protect and enhance the event experience.

Critical Metrics into Fan Experience

Safety and Security

71% of fans report insufficient response to incidents they have witnessed.

Safety and Security

40%  of fans report witnessing unsafe or violent behavior at least once in the last year. 

Safety and Security

Weather related shelters and evacuations have increased by 62% over the last 10 years.

Fan Experience

Fans spend an average of 42 minutes waiting in lines when attending major events. 

Revenue Generation

10-15% of revenue comes from merchandise sales, but 60% of guests skip the lines because of their length.

Revenue Generation

Fans say they would spend $20 more on food or beverage if line times were cut in half.

Advantages of utilizing simulation in sport and entertainment safety and security planning:
  • Simulations allow event planners to test scenarios without putting attendees at risk for any type of incident. Each event is different and should be simulated.
  • Potential hazards, such as overcrowding/crushing, bottlenecks, or evacuation/sheltering challenges, can be identified and mitigated before the event occurs.
  • Using simulation software, planners can analyze various data points, such as expected crowd size, venue layout, densities, bottlenecks, and movement patterns for people and traffic.
  • Dynamic data integration from ticketing, scanning, GPS, cameras, sensors, and point of sale allows you to monitor behaviors as they happen, making real-time decisions and continuous improvement.
  • These insights enable informed decisions about resource allocation, staff deployment, activations, and infrastructure design, enabling quick adjustments to manage congestion or address safety concerns.
  • Simulations help determine the most efficient use of space within and outside a venue, including entrances, exits, seating arrangements, activations, pathways, tailgating, transportation, parking, and signage.
  • Modern events have more complex floor plans than ever before. Each unique layout puts different stresses on staffing resources. Simulation is a tool for both safety and staffing efficiency.
  • It can highlight areas prone to congestion and suggest adjustments to improve pedestrian and traffic flow.
  • Tested and validated crowd dynamics simulation models can predict how crowds will respond to different situations, such as emergencies or delays of various demographics.
  • This foresight allows for the development of robust emergency response plans, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring rapid evacuation/sheltering when necessary.
  • Establish early warning systems by detecting unusual patterns, such as sudden crowd surges. Digital twins can alert organizers to potential hazards before they escalate.
  • Testing different layouts, optimal staffing levels, and event schedules in a virtual digital twin environment is far more cost-effective than making real-world adjustments during or after an event.
  • Revenue generation can be enhanced using simulations to optimize activation/concession placement, reduce queuing time, and improve
    customer experience.
  • Simulations can model a wide range of “what-if” scenarios, such as extreme weather, unexpected surges in attendance, or security incidents, such as active shooter or bombings.
  • Virtual environments allow staff to practice handling different scenarios, improving preparedness and coordination.
  • Minimize waiting times by optimizing crowd movement and reducing bottlenecks. Simulations contribute to a smoother, more enjoyable experience for attendees through more effective circulation and queuing.
  • They can also aid in the placement of amenities like food stalls, restrooms, and information booths for maximum convenience, which enhances revenue.
  • Slow service or even the perception is a deterrent to sales of more food and beverage; it also prevents some from even approaching concessions. Fixing this means direct rewards for venue operators.
  • Personalized experiences with simulation can incorporate attendee preferences (e.g., preferred seating or faster access routes, reduced queuing) to design more user-friendly layouts.
  • Digital twin simulations provide evidence that safety standards and legal requirements/ accountability have been met, simplifying the approval process for permits, such as safe
    capacities for Fire Marshal approval.
  • Facilitates the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) SAFETY Act certification planning and approval process (see dhs.gov).
  • They offer detailed records and audit trails of crowd management efforts, which can be helpful for post-event evaluations or liability inquiries. This is particularly important for obtaining permits, ensuring legal accountability, and reducing liability.
  • After an event, simulation tools can analyze crowd and camera data to identify areas for improvement in future events for both people and traffic.
  • This continuous feedback loop enhances the long-term effectiveness of crowd management strategies.
  • Eco-friendly planning by testing virtual layouts allows organizers to reduce the need for physical trials, cutting down on resource consumption, waste, and staff.
  • Energy Efficiency simulations help optimize power usage by planning the location, timing, and operation of equipment like lighting and HVAC systems.
  • Event staff, security staff, and first responders can use simulations to practice their roles in different scenarios, thereby improving readiness, coordination, and response.

“

Using simulation software was an intricate part of our SAFETY Act Certification preparation and application by demonstrating our ability to develop effective safety/security plans.

Richard Fenton
CSSP. Vice President/CSO, Corporate Security and Safety, Ilitch Holdings Inc., and NCS4 National Advisory Board Member

About TruVenue

TruVenue is a powerful simulation and digital twin application, designed for stadiums, arenas, campuses, and large-scale events. It provides venue operators with a virtual environment to test plans, evaluate risks, and optimize outcomes, before, during, and after live events.

For more information, visit the TruVenue page or visit us at  the NCS4 Annual Conference in San Antonio.  

Curious about how TruVenue can benefit your organization? Please contact us!

Zakelijke Profielfoto's InControl
Zakelijke Profielfoto's InControl

Chris Monroe
Program Manager TruVenue

chris.monroe@incontrolsim.com
+1 (313) 204-1705

Gary Gardner
Vice President North America

gary.gardner@incontrolsim.com
+1 (704) 239-2234

Smarter Stadiums

Transform your venue operations with TruVenue! Explore three innovative ways it enhances planning, crowd management, and decision-making for unforgettable events.

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TruVenue: Revolutionizing Sports and Entertainment Safety, Recognized with the Golden Eagle Award

TruVenue: Revolutionizing Sports and Entertainment Safety, Recognized with the Golden Eagle Award

In July 2024, TruVenue, InControl’s cutting-edge digital twin application for sports and entertainment venues, has been honored with the Golden Eagle Award by the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS⁴**) at The University of Southern Mississippi.

The Golden Eagle Award: A Mark of Excellence

The Golden Eagle Award honors outstanding achievements in system integration, architecture, engineering, and construction (A/E/C) that specifically enhance the safety and security of spectators and facility infrastructure. This award is highly recognized within the industry for technologies and solutions that not only address safety gaps but also maintain a balance between security and fan experience.

A panel of subject matter experts (SMEs) assessed entries based on their relevance to the sports industry, effectiveness in solving critical safety issues, and innovative use of technology. TruVenue was selected as the winner for its innovative approach to balancing fan safety and experience, using data-driven simulation to optimize event operations and prepare for emergencies.

TruVenue: Enhancing Safety and Fan Experience Through Simulation

TruVenue, is a digital twin application that allows sports and entertainment venues to simulate every aspect of the fan journey, from ticket purchase to leaving the event. By leveraging real-time data and interactive 2D and 3D mapping tools, TruVenue provides venue managers with a powerful tool to visualize, plan, and optimize every aspect of the event.

Key challenges for venues include managing pedestrian traffic, parking, transportation, and logistics, all while ensuring adherence to safety rules. TruVenue addresses these complexities by providing simulations that enable stakeholders to test different scenarios, to identify and mitigate potential safety risks and liabilities before they arise. Whether it’s ensuring smooth pedestrian flow or responding to an emergency, TruVenue enables pre-event analysis and planning to minimize disruptions and optimize venue operations.

Life-Saving Simulations: When Minutes Matter

One of the most impactful applications of TruVenue lies in its potential to save lives during emergencies. Through 2D and 3D mapping, the digital twin allows venues to simulate emergency scenarios, mapping out where AEDs, first-aid kits, ambulances, and fire water connections are located. Staff and emergency responders can practice simulations to ensure they are prepared to act swiftly when real-life emergencies occur. By identifying the quickest routes to aid stations and evacuation paths, TruVenue prepares staff to handle crises confidently and efficiently.

Emergency Preparedness for Mass Casualty and Severe Weather Events

TruVenue enables venues to rehearse evacuations, coordinate medical and law enforcement responses, and prepare for scenarios such as bombings, active shooter or car raming situations.

For venues particularly vulnerable to severe weather, TruVenue is an invaluable tool. The platform allows operators to simulate sheltering capacities and evacuation times, ensuring spectators can reach safety before dangerous conditions arise. Even venues with outdoor or temporary structures, which may not fully meet International Code Council sheltering standards, can benefit from these life-saving simulations.

Industry Recognition and the Future of Venue Safety

TruVenue’s digital twin application sets a new standard for safety preparedness in sports and entertainment venues. By leveraging simulation, venue operators can better prepare for emergencies, optimize operations, and ultimately enhance both security and the fan experience. This award-winning solution underscores the critical role of innovation and foresight in ensuring that every fan can enjoy events in a safe, secure environment.

At InControl, we are committed to developing cutting-edge solutions that help venues run safer and more efficient events. TruVenue embodies this mission by empowering operators with the tools to enhance safety, streamline operations, maximize revenue opportunities and improve the overall fan experience.

Take the next step in Venue Safety

Discover how TruVenue can transform safety and operations at your venue. Contact us today for a demo and see how our digital twin application can help you prepare for any scenario and ensure the highest level of safety for your fans and staff.

Book a Demo

** About NCS4:

Established in 2006, The National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) at The University of Southern Mississippi is the world leader in addressing potential threats and risks to the safety and security of sporting events.

Their program is top among academic institutions studying techniques, strategies and solutions to mitigate the safety and security risks inherent in spectator sports venues. Through cutting-edge research, internationally recognized educational programs, training and innovative solutions, NCS4 continues to enhance the level of preparedness at sports events nationwide. Housing the National Institute for the Study of Sports Incidents and the National Sports Security Laboratory, NCS4 equips current and future sports managers with the specialized skills and knowledge they need to address real challenges in maintaining secure sports venues.

Their mission is to conduct innovative research, provide internationally recognized academic programs, enhance training capabilities and develop integrated security solutions.

For more information visit their website. 

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Pedestrian Dynamics 4.5

Introducing Pedestrian Dynamics® 4.5: Enhanced Modeling Efficiency and Control

We are pleased to announce the release of Pedestrian Dynamics® 4.5, the latest update in our advanced crowd simulation digital twin software. This release offers improvements in user-friendliness, expanded modeling capabilities, and greater control over simulation parameters. These upgrades are designed to simplify your workflow, provide more realistic simulation options, and give you enhanced flexibility for complex models and scenarios.

Key Features of Pedestrian Dynamics® 4.5:

Enhanced User-Friendliness and Faster Model Building

Pedestrian Dynamics® 4.5 streamlines model setup with the introduction of a new filter tool, which enables users to quickly select multiple elements at once. This feature enables quick and easy bulk selection on specific element types within your model.  When used with the multi-edit tool, it allows rapid property adjustments across selected elements, significantly reducing the setup time.

By focusing on usability and efficiency, we’ve made it possible for users to build and refine models faster, allowing more time to focus on testing and analyzing scenarios and results.

Expanded Functionality with Configurable Elevators

We’ve expanded the software’s capabilities to support configurable elevator availability. Now, you can control elevator usage patterns to simulate different operating conditions, from peak times to restricted access scenarios. This feature is ideal for environments where elevator demand fluctuates, such as multi-floor facilities, transport hubs, and public venues.

Configurable elevators enable you to simulate dynamic interactions and evaluate the impact of elevator availability on crowd movement, offering more insights for scenarios where elevators play a critical role in pedestrian flows.

Improved Modeling Control with Specified Agent Paths

The new release includes an agent path control feature, enabling users to specify which corridors agents will use to reach their destinations. This level of control allows for highly customizable routing, making it easier to reflect specific movement patterns within your model. Whether you’re simulating emergency exits, one-way systems, or controlled access zones, you can now guide agent movements with precision.

This added flexibility means you can better model real-life scenarios where pedestrian flow is directed, restricted, or influenced by specific spatial configurations. The agent path control feature is ideal for complex environments like airports, urban centers, and stadiums where accurately modeling pedestrian routes is essential.

For more details on these new features and additional improvements, view the Release Highlights document (pdf).

Experience Pedestrian Dynamics® 4.5:

Pedestrian Dynamics® 4.5 introduces new tools and features that make the software more intuitive, flexible, and realistic. With improvements like an enhanced user interface, greater control over agent movement, and advanced elevator functionality, this release reflects our commitment to enhancing usability and expanding capabilities to meet the evolving needs of our users.

Ready to experience the advancements yourself? Download the free trial today and explore how Pedestrian Dynamics® 4.5 can elevate your modeling and simulation projects.

Download Free Trial

For more information, or to see the software in action, please contact us and schedule a demo.

Book a Demo

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Enhancing Customer Experience: A Collaborative Effort at Ski Dubai

Enhancing Customer Experience: A Collaborative Effort at Ski Dubai

For over 14 years, InControl and Mijksenaar have combined their expertise in wayfinding and simulation software, delivering cutting-edge solutions for venues of various sizes and purposes. One notable project resulting from this collaboration is enhancing the customer experience, optimizing the operational processes, and improving sales at Ski Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, with Majid Al Futtaim as our client.

Ski Dubai is part of the Mall of the Emirates, one of the largest shopping malls in the world, located in Dubai. The unique indoor ski facility was developed by the Majid Al Futtaim Group, which also owns and operates the Mall of the Emirates and all indoor ski facilities in MENA (Middle East and North Africa). The facility features an impressive indoor ski area of 22.500 square meters for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts and a snow park for additional recreational activities. The indoor facility features an 85-meter-high indoor mountain with 5 slopes of varying steepness and difficulty, including a 400-meter-long run; the world’s first indoor black diamond run. Ski Dubai is a unique attraction, and its strategic location within the mall makes it easily accessible to locals and tourists, contributing to its popularity. It has been ranked number one among the World’s Best Indoor Ski Resort for six years in a row!

The Project Goal

Ski Dubai’s primary goal is to provide visitors with a seamless, personal, immersive, and unique experience. However, challenges arose during peak seasons, with reports of extended queues in the Ski Dubai and adjacent areas in the shopping mall. In response, Ski Dubai enlisted the support of Mijksenaar and InControl for the ‘quick enhancements’ project. Mijksenaar developed a new wayfinding concept, while InControl collaborated to develop insights and implement improvements through a dynamic visitors and staff Digital Twin Simulation model.

The Project Approach

The Digital Twin Simulation Model

With over 35 years of expertise, InControl has been developing Digital Twin Simulation Software solutions. The software significantly contributes to the decision-making process, operational monitoring, control, and performance optimization. These solutions are integral throughout all project phases, from system design to implementation and operations.

In the context of Ski Dubai, InControl utilized its Crowd Management Simulation Software to create a Digital Twin, serving as a robust tool that utilized various types of data for making informed decisions about the entire venue. Using the digital twin model, Ski Dubai was able to identify bottlenecks and explore potential improvements, such as adjusting layouts of counters and kiosks, changing and relaxing areas, infrastructure, routing, staff capacity planning, and visitor flows. The goal was to optimize specific aspects of the layout or process, ultimately enhancing the overall performance.

The dynamic pedestrian digital twin covered various activities within the Ski Dubai complex, including arrival, orientation, e-ticketing purchases, ski- and snowboard equipment rental, changing rooms, and visits to the cold area. The model offered valuable insights into queue length, waiting times, total throughput time, high densities, area occupancy, user experiences, equipment sales in the shop, and more.

The insights derived from this dynamic model empowered Ski Dubai to create a more seamless and efficient customer experience in the warm area. This collaboration with InControl was a strategic approach to addressing specific challenges and elevating visitors’ satisfaction, particularly during peak seasons.

digital twin wayfinding simulation
digital twin wayfinding simulation

Figure 1: Digital Twin Simulation Model showcasing the Admission Area. On the left, is a 3D visualization of the area; on the right, is a density map highlighting the distribution within the admission area.

Creating a Journey through Wayfinding 

Mijksenaar’s multidisciplinary designers were brought in to ensure a stress-free, enjoyable, and consistent journey could be promised to every visitor. With 38 years of wayfinding experience, Mijksenaar assessed the location holistically, looking at the complete journey from the visitors leaving their homes, ordering tickets, arriving at the location, queuing, ticketing, changing, slopes, and dining to their return home. The wayfinding solutions are built on the Mijksenaar ‘ONE’ Principle: Orientation, Navigation, and Experience, and are tailored to each specific situation. 

At home
Getting there
In the Mall of the Emirates
Entering Ski Dubai
Orientation & Navigation
Tickets
Ski Gear & Clothing
Changing Area
Entrances

Figure 2: The user journey from a wayfinding perspective.

By combining Mijksenaar’s ONE Principle with insights from InControl’s Digital Twin model, Mijksenaar conducted the following analyses and implemented a complete wayfinding review:

  • Interior architectural updates to reorganize the lobby, changing and queueing areas for smoother flows 
  • Streamlining a complex journey to just 5 simple steps with the ‘5 Steps to the Snow!’ concept, managing visitor expectations and reducing queuing 
  • Analyzed cultural needs by changing the combination of choices and offers given
  • Reducing visual clutter and unnecessary choices with straightforward, clear, and intuitive wayfinding 
  • Creating tertiary spaces where people can gather to spend time with each other before or after the visit  
  • Website synchronization, ensuring all terminology, offers, branding, and navigation was consistent both online and in the physical space 
  • Bespoke wayfinding signage.

The Mijksenaar team utilized natural wayfinding principles to manipulate the orientation and navigation of the space, simplifying entrance, desk, and queue areas to cut down on time for visitors. UX design ensured all communication was visually compatible for every visitor at Ski Dubai, connecting and reaffirming the brand. These changes manifested into a complete update of the entire venue, vastly improving the guests’ experiences.

Figure 3: Renovated admission area.

The Results

The collaborative initiative addressed specific challenges and led to a comprehensive transformation, resulting in a future-proof, scalable, enriched, and more enjoyable experience for visitors at Ski Dubai.

The collaborative effort yielded highly positive results for Ski Dubai: 

  • Implementing the digital twin and new wayfinding concept significantly improved the customer experience, increasing Net Promoter Score (NPS) by 20%, surpassing Ski Dubai’s goal
  • A 17% increase in sales at shops and a 10% expansion of open space, enhancing spatial awareness and understanding. 
  • A significant decrease in peak and queuing times.
  • The ability to predict and proactively provide extra guest services.
  • An increased sense of community among visitors, increasing positive employee and visitor reviews 
  • Opportunities for rental spaces in the warm zone. 
  • More, and better interactions with visitors, focusing on experiences rather than operational questions.

“

The cooperation with the Ski Dubai Team and the recognized knowledge, experiences, and simulation software of both InControl and Mijksenaar guaranteed this project as well as the results, delivered within the committed scope, planning, and budget. We are looking forward to continuing the cooperation with Mijksenaar to the Majid Al Futtaim Group and other leading companies.

– Christophe Vreeke, CCO of InControl Enterprise Dynamics

“

This project shows that good wayfinding and spatial design adds significant, measurable value to a service. Visitor experience has skyrocketed, and the operational process has improved dramatically. This means not only bottom-line growth for a more efficient organization but especially top-line growth with new customers and better-fitting service. This has been made possible by the cooperation between Mijksenaar InControl, a partnership we are so proud of.

– Aad Kalkman, Managing Director, Mijksenaar

In conclusion, the collaborative efforts between InControl and Mijksenaar have not only transformed Ski Dubai into a seamless customer experience but also set a benchmark for future operations and improvement actions in enhancing visitor satisfaction. By combining cutting-edge simulation software with innovative wayfinding solutions, Ski Dubai has seen a remarkable leap forwards in customer flow, spatial awareness, and overall enjoyment. This success underscores the value of strategic partnerships and the application of advanced technologies in shaping exceptional experiences.

For inquiries about how our solutions can benefit your venue, please reach out to us: