News

The latest from Insight Acumen

The aim of this page is to provide updates on what Insight Acumen staff are working on, services currently being provided, upcoming activities etc.

2023

Certified Modelling & Simulation Professional - Master level

Rob has been recertified by Modeling & Simulation Professional Certification Commission within the USA's National Training & Simulation Association as a Certified Modeling & Simulation Professional to Master level (CMSP-Master) valid to 31 Oct 2027.

ExtendSim v10.1.0

Latest version of ExtendSim released on 15 Aug 23. In v10.1.0 users can expect bug fixes and additional features, and if you have a valid Maintenance Support Plan, you'll get this update for free from Imagine That.

Dr David Newman AM

Our Chairman Dr David Newman was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2023 King's Birthday Honours List, for significant service to aerospace medicine. Congratulations Dave!

Website Upgrade is Live

Finally got around to updating the website design that was so 2010. Anyway the new design allows the website to display on mobile phones, laptops and other devices. You shouldn't need a magnifying glass any more. The new Training Courses button and page allows registration directly onto ExtendSim training courses that I have scheduled in the months ahead. Please remember that training dates can be flexible so if you don't find suitable dates for your training needs, use Contact Us and we'll work out other dates. Hope you enjoy the new design.

Renewable Energy Concept Model

Rob's just finished writing up and recording a concept model associated with renewable energy. Please check out Case Studies for the proposed Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal (Offshore Wind) write-up. And have a look at the YouTube video of the presentation.

Website Upgrade

We're pleased to announce that starting in May the process to register and pay for ExtendSim training courses will be made much, much easier for prospective trainees.

The addition of effective registration and payment processes using Event Management functionality will take place along with an overall upgrade to this website.

We're planning on having the upgrades finished by midyear, so that's something cool to look forward to.

Training Schedule

Please check the Training Courses section for upcoming training courses. You can register there for specific courses. Or if you would prefer private in-person training we can discuss this as well. In this case please email Rob via the Contact Us page to register interest.

2022

Sep-Dec 2022

Conducted a major upgrade to the Child Protection System Analysis Model for QLD Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs.

March 2022

Recently spent two days conducting ExtendSim model-specific training for staff within the QLD Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs regarding the Child Protection System Analysis Model first developed by Insight Acumen for QLD Government back in 2014. A very productive training session that included discussions about additional features and potential future enhancements.

Finally got around to writing a number of case studies for ExtendSim modelling projects conducted mostly after 2010. Check them out at Case Studies.

Welcoming Dr Peter O'Neill and Mr Evrim Kilic as consultants to Insight Acumen specialising in healthcare modelling. Please see Health System Modelling for their bios and more info, and here is our flyer.

Below is the schedule for online ExtendSim Essentials Public Courses in 2022. Please email Rob via the Contact Us page to register interest.

2021

11 Nov 21. Presented a paper to Australasian Simulation Congress on behalf of colleagues Mr Evrim Kilic and Dr Peter ONeill. A recording of the presentation is available on Insight Acumen's Youtube channel.

Training. While Covid-19 is still with us, formal ExtendSim training has been paused. If ExtendSim training is required, please contact Rob to discuss.

We still have capacity to support ExtendSim users across myriad domains who need Rob to "parachute in" to add value to modelling efforts and assist model development schedules & delivery. Contact Rob to discuss at rob@insightacumen.com.au or leave a message on mobile 0418 891 747.

2020

For the 2020 schedule of Essentials public courses, please visit our training page.

Feb 2020. Conducted an ExtendSim training course in Adelaide. This course was the first requested to be conducted interstate - it was cheaper and more efficient for the client to cover all Rob's travel expenses than pay for the expenses of six trainees in usual training location of Brisbane. Training was well received with agility of content provision being key to success. Agility included switching regularly between basic training and some more advanced concepts.

2019

Advanced ExtendSim training

Rob is conducting a private Advanced ExtendSim Training Course for CQU during September. If you need Advanced training at some stage, please contact us to negotiate dates.

Basic ExtendSim training

We've just completed our fourth ExtendSim Essentials Training Course for the year and our first using the latest Version 10.

For three of the four courses, the published dates were inconvenient so we were flexible and tailored courses by setting private course dates.

Two courses were for Boeing and one for CQU.

For the 2019 schedule of Essentials public courses, please visit our training page.

2018

Oct 2018

The much anticipated latest version of ExtendSim, Version 10, will be available on October 12, 2018.

Training Dates

Below is the schedule for ExtendSim Essentials Public Courses in 2018.

Schedule has also been uploaded to the Imagine That website.

Sep 2017

Followed the ExtendSim Essentials Public Course in August with a private training course 04-08 Sep 17. Outside of scheduled public courses, we can be flexible for private training, so please let us know if your company would prefer private training just for your team.

Jan 2017

Here is the schedule for ExtendSim Essentials Public Courses in 2017:

If your training needs are different from those in the ExtendSim Essentials Course, hopefully we can still help you so please Contact Us to discuss what you need.

Dec 2016

We're pleased to be providing ExtendSim Training as the Authorised Training Provider in Australia.

Initially, training will be the Essential ExtendSim Training Course as per Imagine That's training (http://www.extendsim.com/support_training.html) and/or focussed training and mentoring to solve particular modelling problems.

If you, your educational institution, company or business need training in this powerful simulation tool, please Contact Us to discuss your specific training needs.

Aug 2015

Completed a challenging and rewarding ExtendSim modelling project for Queensland Government.

Apr 2015

Insight Acumen selected for membership of the Defence Research, Scientific, Engineering and Other Technical Services Standing Offer Panel.

Mar 2015

Excited to be engaged to provide services in the near future to three major clients. Additional modelling and analysis resources likely to be needed.

2015

Conducting business improvement analysis for international aerospace company.

Work continues with NSW Government and consulting firms.

Looking forward to supporting University research projects and continuing project work with BHP Billiton and Royal Australian Air Force.

Planning to present a paper regarding a simulation model case study at SimTecT 2015 in Adelaide 17-21 Aug 2015.

Dr David Newman has finished his second book, "High G Flight - Physiological Effects and Countermeasures", out in May 2015.

2014

ExtendSim v9 is being used for RAAF unclassified work, providing decision support tools for 44 Wing Headquarters staff, specifically evidence based analysis for 44WG's Air Base Air Traffic Services Capability Improvement Plan.

Business for other clients of Insight Acumen will continue as per normal. Will catch up with you during interstate meetings.

Challenging work continues with decision support projects for NSW Government, ASX50 companies and Secora.

2013

Working with Secora colleagues to support Department of Defence with decision support tools and cost of capability modelling (by Fundamental Inputs to Capability or FIC). Using ExtendSim to support No. 44 Wing's Air Base Air Traffic Services Capability Improvement Plan.

Providing expertise with design process and programming for an ExtendSim model to test large infrastructure future development & investment plans.

Supporting NSW Government using ExtendSim to test possible futures in resource constrained environments.

Mar-Dec 12

Providing professional services in support of Commonwealth and State Government contracts, as well as for industry and engineering consultancy firms.

Mon 12 Mar 12

Rob accepted an offer to become a Manager at Secora Australasia, a boutique consulting company that specialises in strategy_development, operational effectiveness, process optimization and market growth. Secora utilises cutting edge technology, tools and techniques, derived originally from Six Sigma, Lean Thinking, Design for Six Sigma, Restructuring best practice and Technology Management. Secora helps businesses increase efficiency, drive innovation and improve quality. See Secora at www.secora.com.au.

Business for clients of Insight Acumen will continue as per normal. Rob continues to add value to companies as MD and Principal Consultant of Insight Acumen.

2012

Continuing to providing business improvement, mentoring and ExtendSim advanced programming services to Government and industry clients. A huge year ahead on both personal and business fronts. Son finishing Year 12, our 20th wedding anniversary, year 3 of the Insight Acumen business. On all fronts, 2012 is shaping up as a very busy year, and loving it!

2011

Sun 11 Dec 11 - Wed 14 Dec 11

Winter Simulation Conference, Phoenix AZ. Hope to see you there!

Fri 14 Oct 11 (0300-0400 EST)

Simulation Master Class, offered free by Imagine That Inc. Register at Imagine That. Subject is Reliability.
Presented by: Anthony Nastasi, Imagine That Inc.
Date: October 13, 2011 from 10 to 11 am PDT (GMT-7)

Fri 09 Sep 11 (0300-0400 EST)

Simulation Master Class, offered free by Imagine That Inc. Register at Imagine That. Subject is Event Scheduling.
Presented by: Dave Krahl, Imagine That Inc.
Date: September 8, 2011 from 10 to 11 am PDT (GMT-7)

Fri 12 Aug 11 (0300-0400 EST)

Simulation Master Class, offered free by Imagine That Inc. Register at Imagine That. Subject is Quality Systems Modeling.
Presented by: Al Pugh, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne
Date: August 11, 2011 from 10 to 11 am PDT (GMT-7)

Fri 15 Jul 11 (0300-0400 EST)

Simulation Master Class, offered free by Imagine That Inc. Register at Imagine That. Subject is Advanced Resources.
Presented by: Peter Tag, Imagine That Inc.
Date: July 14, 2011 from 10 to 11 am PDT (GMT-7)

from June 2011

Providing mentoring and advanced ExtendSim programming services to Government and industry clients.

Fri 10 Jun 11 (0300-0400 EST)

Simulation Master Class, offered free by Imagine That Inc. Register at Imagine That. Subject is Hierarchical Block Animation.
Presented by: Robin Clark, QMT Group
Date: June 9, 2011 from 10 to 11 am PDT (GMT-7)

Tue 31 May 11

Directors' meeting in Melbourne.

Mon 30 May 11 - Thu 02 Jun 11

SimTecT conference in Melbourne.

Fri 13 May 11 (0300-0400 EST)

Simulation Master Class, offered free by Imagine That Inc. Register at Imagine That. Subject is Database Random Distributions.
Presented by: H. Lynn Scheurman, Jim Dailey & Associates
Date: May 12, 2011 from 10 to 11 am PDT (GMT-7)

March-May 2011

Providing mentoring and ExtendSim advanced programming services to Government and industry clients.

Mon 21 Feb 11

Directors' meeting in Brisbane.

Feb 2011

Meetings with Brisbane, Sydney & Melbourne clients.

Jan 2011

Helping Brisbane with flood clean-up as member of the 'mud-army'.

Client meetings and business development - Canberra and Sydney.

2010

Nov 2010 - Dec 2010

Very busy conducting client work.

Mon 18 - Wed 20 Oct 10

Client meetings and business development - Canberra and Sydney.

Fri 01 Oct 10

Rob advised by Modeling and Simulation Professional Certification Commission that exam has been passed, and attained Certified Modeling and Simulation Professional (CMSP) certification.

Tue 14 Sep 10

Directors meeting in Brisbane.

Mon 13 - Wed 15 Sep 10

Client meetings and presentations - Brisbane.

Mon 06 Sep 10

Submitted exam for Certified Modeling and Simulation Professional (CMSP) certification.

Mon 23 Aug 10

Gained Tier 1 membership of SME Gateway.

Thu 19 Aug 10

Application for the Certified Modeling and Simulation Professional certification has been approved by the Modeling and Simulation Professional Certification Commission. Rob is currently conducting the exam that will complete the certification process.

Mon 09 Aug 10

Insight Acumen is now a member of the Department of Defence DMOSS Panel (Defence Materiel Organisation Support Services). IA is approved to provide services across a number of skill sets and disciplines, with skill levels ranging from qualified practitioner to discipline specialist.

Tue 20 Jul 10

Client meetings - Brisbane.

Tue 06 - Wed 07 Jul 10

Client meetings and presentations - Adelaide.

Thu 17 - Fri 18 Jun 10

Business development & client meetings - Perth.

Tue 01 - Thu 03 Jun 10

Simulation Technology and Training (SimTecT 2010) conference, Brisbane, Australia.

Mon 31 May 10

Client presentations - Brisbane.

Tue 18 May 10

Client meetings - Brisbane.

Sun 16 May 10

Applied to Modelling and Simulation Professional Certification Commission to become Certified Modelling and Simulation Professional.

Fri 14 May 10

Client meetings - Brisbane.

Tue 04 May 10

Continuing to add value to companies in the aerospace domain. Looking forward to adding value in the near future to an industry very different from the aerospace domain.

Mon 19 - Tue 20 Apr 10

Client meetings - Canberra.

Thu 12 Apr 10

Rob accepted as Member (AIMC) of the Institute of Management Consultants (member 11138). Membership includes a Code of Ethics and Member's Pledge.

Wed 07 Apr 10

Client meetings - Sydney.

Tue 30 Mar 10

Client meetings - Adelaide.

Sun 28 Mar 10

Directors meeting in Brisbane.

Thu 25 Mar 10

Membership interview with the Institute of Management Consultants.

Tue 16 Mar 10

Launch of the company website (this website).

Fri 12 Mar 10

Boeing Defence Australia received a contract extension for the Army Aviation Training and Training Support (AATTS) system at the Oakey Army Base, comprising an increase in scope of work totalling $44m over four years. Rob was the sole ExtendSim modeller for this task during 2008 and was presented with an award from Boeing for exceptional service to the Boeing Services Australia business unit.

Wed 10 Mar 10

Commenced work on contract for CAE.

Mon 08 Mar 10

Signed contract with CAE.

Thu 11 Feb 10

Application for Certified ExtendSim Consultant status approved by Imagine That Inc.

Wed 10 Feb 10

Completed five years at Boeing Defence Australia working as an Operations Analyst in the Systems Analysis Laboratory. A wonderful experience and challenging, interesting work. I will miss the team.

Thu 21 Jan 10

Gained membership of the Simulation Industry Association of Australia (member 371).

Wed 20 Jan 10

Gained membership (AIMM) of the Australian Institute of Management (member 683817). Made commitment to manage in accordance with the AIM Code of Conduct.

Fri 08 Jan 10

Dr David Newman, Managing Director of Flight Medicine Systems, becomes Chairman of Insight Acumen.