Getting IT right: simulation of computer systems

Difficulties in the successful introduction of computer systems have reached crisis proportions. Many solutions have been proposed to deal with the problems, but as fast as these are developed, generations of IT posing new problems for the system designer. In addition, many of these methods fail to address behavioural and performance aspects of computer systems. An obvious approach is to use computer techniques to simulate the IT system. This type of simulation is accepted in other engineering disciplines as an essential method of ensuring that design objectives are achieved. However, there are significant differences in the manner in which simulation methods need to be applied in IT systems. The authors describe how computer simulation methods can be used to tackle the problem