This paper addresses the application and comparison of spreadsheet analysis (LOTUS 123), rapid modeling (MANUPLAN II), and simulation (STARCELL) for the design and evaluation of manufacturing systems. The objective is to evaluate the quantity and quality of the required inputs, generated outputs, and the amount of time required for each of these analytical tools compared to the amount of knowledge gained. A comparison is conducted for an application to an automatic insertion card production facility where the best machine/cell configuration was emphasized to simplify the system and increase its efficiency. Results of this evaluation provide insights into the efforts and value obtained from Using increasingly more detailed modelling procedures