Frontiers in Science 2013, 3(2): 66-70 DOI: 10.5923/j.fs.20130302.03 An Application of Analytical Hierarchy Process for Simulation Software Selection in Education Area Suay Ereeş 1,* , Emel Kuruoğlu 2 , Nilgün Moralı 3 1 Department of Statistics, Yaşar University, Izmir, Turkey 2 Department of Computer Sciences, DokuzEylül University, Izmir, Turkey 3 Department of International Trade and Logistics, HasanKalyoncu University, Gaziantep, Turkey Abstract In recent years, there are many developments and differences in software products which are used for simulation applications in many fields such as education. These developments in simulation software make it difficult for users to choose the most appropriate simulation package for their interest. Because of only the softwares which meet the system requirements will succeed, choosing simulation software package becomes an important issue and has vital importance. Hence to make this choice, applying Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) which is a multi-criteria decision making method and used for systematical decisions is very convenient and makes the decision process faster. In this study, the most important criteria determined by experts and academicians were discussed and compared to choose the most appropriate simulation software program for education area. Keywords Simulation Software Selection, Analytic Hierarchy Process, Multi Criteria Decision Making, Education Sector 1. Introduction Simulation is a method that has a wide application area used for modelling and analysis. Simulation models are used in such areas as manufacturing, health and military. Increase in the usage of simulation models results in a requirement for simulation software programs. Thanks to the achievements in technology and computer software engineering, lots of software packages with different features have been developed. There are approximately 60-70 simulation models with different features available. Some of them are ARENA, Simulink, GPSS etc. These softwares differ from each other as per some aspects such as their prices, the technical support provided and capacity of carrying out statistical analyses. Naturally, choosing and using of appropriate package program that meets the needs of systemic requirements at an optimum level and demands of users have great importance. However, many package programs with different features make the decision process more difficult for the users. Development in simulation packages contributes these package programs to have lots of features and capacity for meeting the criteria. Very developed programs have lots of features but are offered for sale with huge prices. On * Corresponding author: suay.erees@yasar.edu.tr (SuayErees) Published online at http://journal.sapub.org/fs Copyright © 2013 Scientific & Academic Publishing. All Rights Reserved theother hand, budget friendly programs could not meet variousrequirements. Determining right criteria is crucial inchoosing the most appropriate software package program for the relevant application area. These criteria differ from person to person or firm to firm. Criteria are determined by consulting to opinions of experts and program dealers. Several publications related to the users’ surveys are found in simulation literature[3],[4],[6],[7],[8]. Determination of necessary criteria for choosing the simulation software package requires developing of a multi criteria decision model. Such models are developed as hierarchical structures. Generally, a target situation specifying main aim is chosen and sub-targets (criteria) are determined in relation to relevant target situation and significance levels are attributed for these criteria. The person that performs the analysis is liable to pay attention to the integrity of sub-criteria and concordance of them with main target and creating the model with an appropriate structure. Lots of methods have been developed with an aim to create a multi criteria decision model. The most frequently used method is AHP[5]. This method has been used for this study. 2. Materials and Methods Analytic Hierarchy Process – AHP is a multi-criteria decision making technique developed by Thomas L. Saaty[1],[10]. There is a wide application area of AHP approach. Some application samples could be categorized as