Modeling and simulation rapidly growing industry

It's no secret that much of Huntsville's economy centers around computer modeling and simulation. A new study shows the industry has grown rapidly throughout the state during the past decade.

According to a survey conducted by the Alabama Modeling & Simulation Council last summer, the number of Alabama companies conducting M&S for the defense, aerospace and other industries has risen 60 percent, from 54 to 84 companies. These companies employ nearly 20,000 people.

Most of those firms - 80 - are located in Madison County. In addition, NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and Redstone Arsenal reported about 4,500 employees work in the M&S industry.

Jefferson and Limestone counties each reported one company, and Montgomery County has two companies.

"M&S is an emerging information industry," Bill Waite, the council's executive director, said in the report. "Alabama is already a leader worldwide in modeling and simulation technology, education, work-force development, application and industrial development.

"The opportunity to leverage this position into a sustained economic advantage for the state is great, but transient. We need to add M&S information technology to the list of those few qualities that distinguish Alabama in its efforts to compete in economic development."

Other survey facts:

Nearly one-fourth (24 percent) of aerospace and defense workers in Alabama develop or use modeling and simulation in their work.

More than half (56 percent) of the companies conducting M&S work have under 50 employees; 40 percent of the firms have fewer than 25 employees.

Nearly 75 percent of the firms develop new modeling and simulation technologies.

Eighty-six percent of the companies use modeling and simulation for engineering; 90 percent use the technology for analysis.

Thirty-five percent of the firms use modeling and simulation technology for training.

Waite said the industry can grow, with the right dynamics in place. A top priority is to invest in work-force development through education, training and professional certification.

"In Huntsville and across the state of Alabama, there are a few enablers of growth of the M&S industry," he said. The council "needs to create more awareness in government and industry of the existing and potential value of M&S to a broad range of application domains."

Business Editor Gina Hannah can be reached by phone at 532-4531, or e-mail at ginah@htimes.com.