All About SimaPro 7

February 14
Colophon
Title : Simapro 7

Written by: PRé

Click here to enter names.

Report version: V1
Date: October 2013
Language: English
Availability: PDF file

Copyright: © 2013 PRé. All rights reserved.

PRé grants the right to distribute and print the unchanged PDF version of this
manual for non commercial purposes only.

Parts of the manual may be reproduced in other work only after permission
and if a clear reference is made that PRé is the author.

Support:
Phone: +31 33 4504010
Fax: +31 33 4555024
E-mail: support@pre-sustainability.com
Website: www.pre-sustainability.com
Contents
1. ABOUT SIMAPRO .......................................................................................................... 3
1.1 SIMAPRO LICENSES AND FEATURES.......................................................................................................... 3
1.1.1 Business licenses .........................................................................................................4
1.1.2 Educational licenses ....................................................................................................5
1.2 DATABASES ......................................................................................................................................... 6
1.2.1 Transparent data .........................................................................................................6
1.2.2 SimaPro Data Libraries ................................................................................................6
1.2.3 Life Cycle Impact Assessment Methods .......................................................................7
1.3 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................................................ 7
2. ORDERING SIMAPRO ...................................................................................................... 9
2.1 SERVICE CONTRACT .............................................................................................................................. 9
2.2 PRICELIST ........................................................................................................................................... 9
2.2.1 Licenses ..................................................................................................................... 10
2.2.2 Service Contract ........................................................................................................ 11
3. MORE INFORMATION ................................................................................................... 12
3.1 SIMAPRO WORLD WIDE ..................................................................................................................... 12
3.2 DOCUMENTATION .............................................................................................................................. 12
3.3 SUPPORT .......................................................................................................................................... 12

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 All About SimaPro 7

1. About SimaPro
The world’s leading LCA software chosen by industry, research institutes, and consultants in more than 80 countries.

SimaPro answers everyone's questions

Many organizations struggle with how to make their corporate sustainability efforts measurable, how to embed
sustainability into their daily operations, and how to create a competitive advantage from sustainability initiatives.
SimaPro is the solution to every department.

 CEO and Management: how can we embed sustainability in our business strategy?
 Sustainability Manager: how can we best support other departments in making sustainable decisions?
 Marketing and communications manager: how can we differentiate our products communicate with full
transparency?
 Chief of Operations: how can resources be used more efficiently and which changes result in the biggest
environmental improvement?
 Product developer: which aspects of our products and product portfolio should we focus on to make our products
more sustainable?
 Supply chain partners: which steps in the supply chain cause the biggest impact and how can we improve these?

A professional all-in-one tool

SimaPro allows you to model products and systems from a life cycle perspective. Users build complex models in a
systematic and transparent way using SimaPro's unique features such as parameters and Monte Carlo analysis. SimaPro
comes fully integrated with the well known ecoinvent database and is used for a variety of applications, like:
 Carbon footprint calculation
 Product design and eco-design
 Environmental Product Declarations (EPD)
 Environmental impact of products or services
 Environmental reporting (GRI)
 Determining of key performance indicators

1.1 SimaPro Licenses and Features

SimaPro has all of the features you would expect from a professional LCA software package.

A unique set of features to suit your needs:

 An intuitive user interface; guides you through a streamlined or ISO 14040 LCA
 Easy modelling with powerful tools
 Allocation of multiple output processes
 Transparent; trace back your results in a few mouse clicks
 Weak point analysis; identify the ‘hot spots’ in your life cycle using the process tree
 Filtering options available for all results
 Analysis of complex waste treatment and recycling scenarios
Depending on your needs, Simapro is available for business and educational purposes. If you need more information or
help choosing one of the options, please consult our support team.

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 1.1.1 Business licenses
SimaPro comes in 3 Business versions:
 SimaPro Compact: this version is easy to use and provides quick results. The wizards assist you in managing
complex tasks while all the results remain completely transparent.
 SimaPro Analyst: this version allows you to model detailed life cycle assessment studies and is designed for the LCA
expert, with advanced analytical features such as parameters and monte carlo analysis.
 SimaPro Developer: this version is designed to create dedicated life cycle assessment tools with extended features
such as direct Excel/ASP linking, wizard writing options and COM interface.

Feature in business licenses Compact Analyst Developer

Multi-user license - Yes Yes
SimaPro's unique Multi-User feature allows several people to simultaneously work on the same project in one
shared central database.
OPTIONAL: Report Maker add-on - Yes Yes
This add-on tool allows you to create graphs and tables in MS Word and MS Excel, and keep them updated as
you change your model and data in SimaPro. Read More
Parameters (scenario analysis) - Yes Yes
Using parameters in your model simplifies your work and gives you the flexibility to easily change values or
assumptions in your model.
Monte Carlo analysis - Yes Yes
SimaPro allows you to calculate uncertainty in your inventory results using a Monte Carlo analysis. A Monte
Carlo analysis gives you an indication of how reliable, complete and representative your results are.
Analysis of Groups Yes Yes Yes
This feature allows you to define how life cycle impact assessment results are presented. Instead of presenting
results per process or product stage, they can be presented per function, for example: transport, energy,
production, and so forth.
Import data (.csv and SimaPro format) Yes Yes Yes
Export data (.csv and SimaPro format) - Yes Yes
Export data (.xls and .txt format) Yes Yes Yes
Import and export of EcoSpold data - Yes Yes
Library editing - Yes Yes
Move project data to library - Yes Yes
Edit system descriptions - Yes Yes
Hide confidential data - - Yes
Allows you to protect confidential data libraries or projects with a password.
Wizard development - - Yes
Wizards can be used to develop an easy user interface for people with no, or limited knowledge of LCA
methodology. They can also be used for LCA modeling that is repetitive.
2 way COM interface - - Yes
Using the two way COM interface, you can link SimaPro to other software (such as CAD/ CAM, ERP and Product
Lifecycle Management systems). This opens up the possibility to use LCA results in other tools, or to receive
useful data in SimaPro. Read more.
Direct link to Excel and SQL database - - Yes
This feature will save you time and reduce the margin for error when it comes to data entry. It also ensures that
all your linked data is always up-to-date; any changes made in the source data will be automatically updated in
SimaPro.
Parse feature - - Yes
This feature allows you to import parameter sets previously defined in an Excel spreadsheet, thus saving you a
lot of manual work.
Library switch - Yes Yes
This function allows you to switch between unit and system libraries without having to change your model.
Tree view - Yes Yes
This function allows you to present your results as a process tree, where each process or product stage is shown
individually. this is unlike the network view, where every process or product stage that is used will be presented
only once, even if it is used by multiple processes or product stages.
Save inventory data as system processes Yes Yes Yes
This feature allows you to create a system-level process from a unit-level process.
Export to matrix - Yes Yes
This feature allows you to export processes as a matrix to excel.

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 All About SimaPro 7

1.1.2 Educational licenses

SimaPro comes in 3 Educational versions and are for teaching purposes only. For paid research and consultancy type
projects, please select a business version.
 SimaPro Faculty: this is a single user version comparable to the business version SimaPro Compact. SimaPro Faculty
is only available as a temporary license for 6 or 12 months. After it expires the software will run as a demo version.
Data can still be accessed. Registering with a new code will revive the software.
 SimaPro Classroom: this is a multi-user version comparable to SimaPro Compact. A total of 40 students can work
on the same project and database. By logging in as a manager, the lecturer can follow the progress of his or her
students. SimaPro Classroom is available as an indefinite or temporary license for 12 months.
 SimaPro PhD: this is the advanced single user version and is comparable to the business version SimaPro Analyst.
SimaPro PhD supports advanced features such as parameters and monte carlo analysis. It is available as an
indefinite or temporary license for 12 months.

Feature in educational licenses Faculty Classroom PhD

Multi-user license - Yes
SimaPro's unique Multi-User feature allows several people to simultaneously work on the same project in one shared central
database.
OPTIONAL: Report Maker add-on - - Yes
This add-on tool allows you to create graphs and tables in MS Word and MS Excel, and keep them updated as you change
your model and data in SimaPro. Read More
Parameters (scenario analysis) - - Yes
Using parameters in your model simplifies your work and gives you the flexibility to easily change values or assumptions in
your model.
Monte Carlo analysis - - Yes
SimaPro allows you to calculate uncertainty in your inventory results using a Monte Carlo analysis. A Monte Carlo analysis
gives you an indication of how reliable, complete and representative your results are.
Analysis of Groups Yes Yes Yes
This feature allows you to define how life cycle impact assessment results are presented. Instead of presenting results per
process or product stage, they can be presented per function, for example: transport, energy, production, and so forth.
Import data (.csv and SimaPro format) Yes Yes Yes
Export data (.csv and SimaPro format) - - Yes
Export data (.xls and .txt format) Yes Yes Yes
Import and export of EcoSpold data - - Yes
Library editing - - Yes
Move project data to library - - Yes
Edit system descriptions - - Yes
Hide confidential data - - -
Allows you to protect confidential data libraries or projects with a password.
Wizard development - - -
Wizards can be used to develop an easy user interface for people with no, or limited knowledge of LCA methodology. They
can also be used for LCA modeling that is repetitive.
2 way COM interface - - -
Using the two way COM interface, you can link SimaPro to other software (such as CAD/ CAM, ERP and Product Lifecycle
Management systems). This opens up the possibility to use LCA results in other tools, or to receive useful data in SimaPro.
Read more.
Direct link to Excel and SQL database - - -
This feature will save you time and reduce the margin for error when it comes to data entry. It also ensures that all your
linked data is always up-to-date; any changes made in the source data will be automatically updated in SimaPro.
Parse feature - - -
This feature allows you to import parameter sets previously defined in an Excel spreadsheet, thus saving you a lot of manual
work.
Library switch - - Yes
This function allows you to switch between unit and system libraries without having to change your model.
Tree view - - Yes
This function allows you to present your results as a process tree, where each process or product stage is shown individually.
this is unlike the network view, where every process or product stage that is used will be presented only once, even if it is
used by multiple processes or product stages.
Save inventory data as system processes Yes Yes Yes
This feature allows you to create a system-level process from a unit-level process.
Export to matrix - - Yes
This feature allows you to export processes as a matrix to excel.

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Free educational SimaPro license for non OECD countries
PRé offers a free SimaPro Faculty license for universities in non OECD countries. In cooperation with the ecoinvent
centre we can include the ecoinvent database at no extra costs. After 6 months, the software expires and will run as a
demo version. It can be simply be renewed for another 6 months, again at no costs! Order this license through a
SimaPro partner in your country. If there is no local partner, please use the order form.

1.2 Databases
SimaPro comes with life cycle inventory databases with a broad international scope, including the comprehensive Swiss
based ecoinvent database, and a variety of different life cycle impact assessment methods. All databases are
completely harmonised regarding structure, nomenclature and fit well in SimaPro with all impact assessment methods.
An LCA is only as valid as the data it uses. To effectively build and analyze LCA models, transparent, high quality and
widely accepted inventory data is required for the most commonly used materials and processes.

1.2.1 Transparent data

With the SimaPro life cycle assessment software you can access the life cycle inventory data at all different stages of
your model and analysis. This transparency is powerful in assessing your complex product or process. All results can be
traced back to their origin with a few mouse clicks. You can easily zoom into the "hotspots" or the area of attention. All
datasets are harmonised regarding structure, nomenclature and fit well with the life cycle impact assessment methods.

1.2.2 SimaPro Data Libraries

ecoinvent v2
Over 10000 processes in a wide range of following sectors such as energy, transport, building materials, chemicals,
washing agents, paper & board, agriculture and waste management. The data is available as default allocation model
and consequential data model. Furthermore, data is presented as both unit processes (raw data) and calculated results
(systems). Data uncertainty can be calculated in the ecoinvent unit processes using advanced Monte Carlo analysis in
SimaPro. Regionalized water flows are implemented so that you calculate water footprints. Developed by the ecoinvent
center, Switzerland.

US LCI
423 processes covering the most important inventory data for energy, transport and material production (agriculture,
chemicals, plastics, metals, wood) processes in North America. Developed by NREL, USA Download manual.

European Life Cycle Data (ELCD)

327 processes provided by front-running EU-level business associations and other sources for key materials, energy
carriers, transport, and waste management. The respective data sets are officially provided and approved by the named
industry association. Developed by JRC, DG environment EU, European Commission.

US Input Output
The US IO library consists of two databases of which one uses economic allocation and the other economic allocation
with system expansion. The library is based on a commodity matrix from 2002, supplemented with data for capital
goods. The IO commodity matrix is linked to a large environmental intervention matrix compiled using several data
sources. Developed by IERS, LCC, USA, Download manual.

EU and Danish Input Output

750 commodities covering the entire Danish economy plus the main import and export. Developed by
2.-0 LCA Consultants, Denmark, Download manual.

Swiss Input Output

This library is developed by our Swiss partner ESU-services, as part of a project for the Swiss Federal Office for the
Environment (FOEN). It contains 154 processes. An extensive report can be retrieved from ESU-service website.

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 All About SimaPro 7

LCA Food
Provides environmental data on 500 food products and processes at different stages of their product chains in
Denmark. Most of the LCI data is consequential. Source: LCA Food, Developed by 2.-0 LCA Consultants, Denmark

Industry data v.2

74 processes from well known industrial associations.

1.2.3 Life Cycle Impact Assessment Methods

Impact assessment is an important step to measure the environmental impacts in LCA. SimaPro offers you a wide
selection of methods to choose from. For more information, please download the Methods Manual.

Midpoint methods:
 ReCiPe
 USEtox
 IPCC 2007
 CML IA
 Traci 2
 BEES
 EDIP 2003
 Ecological scarcity 2006
 Greenhouse Gas Protocol
 Ecological footprint
 Various water footprint methods.

Endpoint methods:
 ReCiPe
 Eco-indicator 99
 Impact 2002+
 EPS 2000.

1.3 System Requirements

The following specifications are recommended to run SimaPro 8. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding
specific configurations.

SimaPro 8 is a 32 bits Windows application which also runs on 64 bits Windows. We highly recommend to have the
latest service pack installed. Earlier operating systems are not supported. SimaPro 8 runs on:
 Windows XP (service pack 3)
 Windows Vista
 Windows 7
 Windows 8/8.1
 Windows 2003 Server
 Windows Server 2003 R2
 Windows Server 2008
 Windows Server 2008 R2

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Single and multi user client
 Internal memory: 4 GB (32 bits), 8 GB (64 bit).
 Screen resolution: minimum resolution is 1280 x 1024. We recommend a higher resolution and a wide screen
monitor.
 Processor: a multi core processor in combination with a 64 bit operating system is recommended.
 Hard disk: 10 GB free (local) hard disk space for temporary files. Only in case of single user: an additional 2 GB free
disk space for database(s).

SimaPro Database Server (only for multi-user)

 Internal memory: a minimum of 4 GB (32 bit) or 8 GB (64 bit).
 Hard disk: at least 2 GB space is needed for each installed database.

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 All About SimaPro 7

2. Ordering SimaPro
If you have any questions regarding SimaPro, please contact us:

The Netherlands
Email: sales@pre-sustainability.com
Telephone: +31 33 450 40 10

United States
Email: PReNA@pre-sustainability.com
Telephone: +1 202-507-6332

You can order your SimaPro license and service contract through your local partner. If there is no local partner in your
country, please use the order form.

2.1 Service Contract

The service contract gives you access to our SimaPro help desk and software and database updates. Purchasing a
service contract is not mandatory and can be chosen according to your needs.

Always near you

 All SimaPro licenses come with a one-year free service contract.
 You can purchase service contracts for additional years separately.
 We offer a 5% discount on a two-year renewal and a 10% discount on a three-year renewal.
 If you would like to update your software but have cancelled your service contract you can buy a new SimaPro
license at 75% of the listed price.

Renewals
To renew your SimaPro service contract, please contact your local SimaPro partner. If there is no SimaPro partner in
your country, use our order form.

SimaPro users will receive an email notification 2 months before their contract expires prompting renewal.

Cancellations
If you would like to cancel your service contract, please use the cancellation form.

2.2 Pricelist
With a wide range of versions and license types, you can surely find a SimaPro that suits your needs and budget.
 Prices below are valid until May 31, 2014.
 All prices are given in Euros and US Dollars, excluding VAT and possible import duties/taxes.
 Delivery by registered mail is included, courier service is optional.
 Prices include the ecoinvent 3 database license and the first year service contract.
 Report Maker is only available for indefinite licenses (excluding the Classroom version) with a valid SimaPro Service
Contract.

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2.2.1 Licenses

Business Licenses
The business license is available in three different versions. Read more about the different licenses and features in
chapter 1.

In Euros Compact Analyst Developer Report Maker

Single user € 6,000 € 8,800 € 12,000 € 2,400

Indefinite license
Single user not available € 4,400 € 6,000 not available
Temporary license for 1 year
Multi user (client-server) not available € 15,400 € 21,000 € 4,200
Indefinite license , 2 users
Multi user not available € 6,600 € 9,000 € 1,800
Indefinite license, each extra user
In US Dollars Compact Analyst Developer Report Maker

Single user $ 7,800 $ 11,440 $ 15,600 $ 3,120

Indefinite license
Single user not available $ 5,720 $ 7,800 not available
Temporary license for 1 year
Multi user (client-server) not available $ 20,020 $ 27,300 $ 5,460
Indefinite license , 2 users
Multi user not available $ 8,580 $ 11,700 $ 2,340
Indefinite license, each extra user

Educational Educational License

The educational license is available in three different versions. Read more about the different licenses and features in
chapter 1.

In Euros 12 months Indefinite Report Maker

Faculty, single user € 3,000 not available not available
Classroom, multi user € 2,500 € 4,200 not available
PhD, single user € 1,800 € 3,600 € 1,200
In US Dollars 12 months Indefinite Report Maker
Faculty, single user $ 3,900 not available not available
Classroom, multi user $ 3,250 $ 5,460 not available
PhD, single user $ 2,340 $ 4,680 $ 1,700

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 All About SimaPro 7

2.2.2 Service Contract

Business Licenses
Please note that the service contract prices below only hold when you buy a new license. A free one year service
contract is included with all new indefinite licenses. Temporary licenses always include a service contract for the chosen
license period.

st
In Euros 1 year Additional year Additional two years
Single user free € 1,710 € 3,240
Multi user (2 users) free € 2,565 € 4,860
Multi user, each extra user free € 855 € 1,620
st
In US Dollars 1 year Additional year Additional two years
Single user free $ 2,223 $ 4,212
Multi user (2 users) free $ 3,335 $ 6,318
Multi user, each extra user free $ 1,112 $ 2,106

Educational Licenses
A free one year service contract is included with all new indefinite licenses. Temporary licenses always include service
for the chosen license period. Please note that the service contract prices below only hold when you buy a new license.

st
In Euros 1 year Additional year Additional two years
Classroom, multi user free € 1,330 € 2,520
PhD, single user free € 665 € 1,260
st
In US Dollars 1 year Additional year Additional two years
Classroom, multi user free $ 1,729 $ 3,276
PhD, single user free $ 865 $ 1,638

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3. More Information
3.1 SimaPro World Wide
SimaPro is used in more than 80 countries serviced by our global partner network. PRé cooperates closely with its
global partners. With a wide range of expertise available, we can offer you unparalleled services and facilitate large
international or multi-client projects.

Our partners also act as your local SimaPro sales and support representatives, and provide regular training
courses. Find your local sales and support partner.

3.2 Documentation

We recommend you to read the following manuals to get started with SimaPro:
 Introduction to LCA
 SimaPro Tutorial

On the website you can find more information on working with SimaPro and LCA.
Tip: watch our SimaPro Tips & Tricks videos

3.3 Support

If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact our support team via e-mail support@pre-sustainability.com
or call us +31 33 450 40 10

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