simNET builds on the SCADA simulation capabilities of Opal Software's simSCADA to provide a complete training environment for electricity network operations.

simNET allows an instructor to place faults on any items of equipment in the distribution network, and uses simSCADA to update the SCADA/DMS with changes of state of protection devices, alarms and analogue values to simulate the effect of the fault following switching actions by trainees.

simNET maintains a model of the entire distribution network, and uses various algorithms to determine device states and analogue values to be reported by simSCADA.

The software also has a "call engine" which models customer behaviour during network outages. Simulated fault calls can be injected into a trouble call management, or outage management system when the simulated customers are affected by a simulated network outage. The call engine allows various parameters to be set which allow the size and 'efficiency" of the call centre to be changed on the fly, thus providing a means of testing the OMS/DMS behaviour under various loading scenarios.

The integration of simNET/simSCADA with the development DMS is achieved by the implementation of various "plug-in" modules which implement the database load and database synchronization and fault call interfaces. Interface plug-ins have been developed for the GE ENMAC system for Country Energy Australia and CE Electric UK.