Manufacturers everywhere want to take advantage of the reduced cost and increased fidelity of computer simulations in order to develop better products faster and at lower cost. They want to perform more simulations in traditional areas of the development process and extend simulation upstream into concept development and downstream into virtual testing to ensure that the physical validation of the product is achieved in a timely and predictable manner.

However companies of all sizes are already struggling to manage their simulation data, which is increasing in size and complexity by orders of magnitude as more, and more detailed,simulations are performed every year. Effective management of simulation data is increasingly important as simulation becomes a core business process and organisations rely on simulation results as the basis for business decisions.

NAFEMS set up the Simulation Data Management Working Group (SDMWG) to assist its members with their SDM challenges at the initiative of the NAFEMS North American Steering Committee. The SDMWG first sought to develop a common understanding of the state of the art of SDM and to identify the principal concerns of Working Group participants.The group broadened this consultation to the full NAFEMS membership by organizing a survey of members. The consultation process determined that a key concern of members is how to justify investment in an SDM solution. The survey also indicated a high priority placed upon the management of the engineering analysis process itself and of the associated process data.

The SDMWG therefore created a sub-team to develop this White Paper on the Business Value of Simulation Data Management. The purpose of this NAFEMS White Paper is to provide engineering management and simulation methods leaders with an understanding of the benefits to be derived by investing in SDM solutions, the costs of an SDM solution and to help communicate the potential value of an SDM investment to colleagues outside of engineering.