# ithink Strategy vs. Analyst...STELLA Basic vs. Research

The ithink software come in two permutations. The simpler version is called ithink Strategy. The more technical version is called ithink Analyst. For the STELLA software, a similar distinction exists. STELLA Basic is the simpler version. STELLA Research is the more technical version of the software.

Both the simpler versions (ithink Strategy and STELLA Basic) provide a very broad set of features that will enable you to develop and communicate high-quality simulation models. ithink Analyst and STELLA Research provide an additional set of capabilities that, depending on your circumstances, may be of utility to you. Figure 1-2 summarizes these additional capabilities.

Figure 1-2. Overview of features and capabilities available in ithink Analyst and STELLA Research but not found in ithink Strategy or STELLA Basic
What it is... | What it does...
Queue and Oven Stock Types | Facilitate the modeling of discrete and mixed discrete/continuous processes. Particularly useful for modeling simple queuing problems.
Enhanced Conveyor Stock Type | Variable transit time, capacity and inflow limit constraints, and arrest mode facilitate sophisticated process modeling.
Sub-models | Facilitate top-down modeling of complex processes.
Arrays | Facilitate management of visual complexity associated with modeling multiple parallel structures. Increase the efficiency of modeling such structures.
Cycle-Time Capabilities | Facilitate model-based generation of metrics regarding time material spends "in process." Useful in process-improvement oriented modeling efforts.

This help system is comprehensive in the sense that it documents all features of the software, including those features summarized in Figure 1-2.

Note that if you do not have the more technical version of the software, you still will be able to open and simulate models that use queues, ovens, enhanced conveyors, sub-models or cycle-time. While you can open such models, you will not have access to the associated dialogs of the more technical features.