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Application designs are changing from single system to cross platform client/server designs utilizing the features of different types of computers, operating systems and networks. Planning the capacity of large computer installations using multiple systems requires an understanding of each of these areas and the inter-relationships between them.
The "Simalytic" ($\rm{\underline{Sim}}$ulation/An$\rm{\underline{alytic}}$) Modeling Technique$\sp1$ addresses modeling complex multiple-platform computer applications at an enterprise level for capacity planning. This technique uses a general purpose simulation tool as an underlying framework and an analytic tool to represent individual nodes or servers when predicting capacity requirements for an application across an enterprise. This technique combines both platform-centric tools (limited features but detailed platform information) and general purpose tools (rich low level features) to address today's large heterogeneous enterprises. This methodology takes advantage of features in the different techniques (simulation vs. analytic queuing theory) as well as features in the different tools (platform-centric vs. general purpose).
"In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. However, in practice, there is!" Jerry Percell, CMG96 ftn$\sp1$Simalytic$\sp{TM},$ Simalytic Modeling$\sp{TM}$ Simalytic Modeling Technique$\sp{TM}$ and Simalytic Enterprise Modeling$\sp{TM}$ are trademarked by Tim R. Norton. All other trademarked names and terms are the property of their respective owners.