The first step was to try and find a simulation that replicated Schneider Electric/Square D
distributors and the issues facing them. Although there was no simulation that met these
needs exactly, the Distribution Challenge simulation replicated a generic distribution
business and, perhaps more importantly, could be easily and quickly customised to meet
the needs.
Of particular importance was the ability customise the simulation to incorporate the
National Association of Electrical Distributor’s “Strategic Profit Model” and the North
American Electrical Distributor Performance Analysis Report to ensure that the business
issues and results would replicate the results of a real world distributor.
Customising the Distribution Challenge involved adding additional decisions and reports
and then recalibrating the simulation so the business environment replicated that facing
Schneider Electric/Square D distributors. Because Distribution Challenge and the platform
on which it runs is designed to facilitate customisation the modification of Distribution
Challenge took a few days.