This paper describes a prototype distributed, multi-user Internet based sim
ulation environment, written in Java, and its application to decision makin
g. An example of its use is presented in the context of manufacturing. The
motivating factor behind this work is the rapid development in computer con
trolled plants and systems, such as automated production lines. The growth
in flexibility offered by computer control has led to increasing speed and
complexity in scheduling of these systems. Making such decisions often requ
ires the very high costs of moving expert modellers and Operational Researc
h staff to factory sites. Following developments in computer supported conc
urrent working (CSCW) and concurrent engineering, it is suggested that a me
ans for working in a geographically distributed manner is desirable. The av
ailability of Internet based solutions, exploiting Java's distributed clien
t server architecture makes it possible to prototype such ideas in a genera
lly accessible manner. An environment built along those lines is described
here. Its benefits are shown through a case study and ideas for future work
are explored.