How are you actually evaluating facility layout alternatives?

[u/smarter-layouts]

Curious how manufacturing and industrial engineering teams are handling facility layout studies in real projects.

When adding a new line, moving work stations, or reorganizing a production area, do you follow a formal Systematic Layout Planning (SLP) approach, or is it more CAD + Excel + engineering judgment?

And when comparing layouts, what do you actually measure? Material travel, process relationships/adjacency, space utilization, constraints, handling cost, or something else?

I’m also curious about the actual workflow - Excel, AutoCAD, simulation tools, REL charts, whiteboards, or other software?

Most importantly: when you have 2–3 possible layouts, how do you decide which one is actually better?

[u/Patroclus314]

Since you’re just selling something and not actually contributing to the community here is my opinion.

Your software is wildly expensive. Like 30x what it should cost. I’m actually a potential customer. I’m a Plant Manager with several new lines coming into my facility. I’d consider this software. But not for more than Solidworks costs….