Visual Interactive Simulation (VIS) is a simulation technique which generates a dynamic display of the model and enables the user to interact with the model while the simulation is running. AWARD (Advanced Warehouse Design) is a VIS system that has been developed by an international consortium of academic institutions and distribution professionals to allow the evaluation of conventional and automated warehouse systems. AWARD uses Computer Aided Design (CAD) techniques for drawing the warehouse layout and configuring the simulation model. The user has no need for programming skills and a user-friendly interface makes it easy to use. High resolution colour graphics and a scale drawing of the warehouse makes the dynamic display of the model a good representation of the real system. This paper will present the development of AWARD, and will discuss the role of the current version in the overall framework of a Decision Support System for warehouse design. The advantages of data-driven generic models as a decision making tool will be highlighted and the use of high-resolution graphics, animation and interactive techniques for improving the communication between the user and the model will be discussed.