The article deals with the problem of teaching students and practitioners in methods of searching for reserves to increase the efficiency and reliability of automated control systems for various purposes. The article shows that in the conditions of the fourth industrial revolution, the requirements for the efficiency and quality of variant analysis of the “what if?” type. The necessity of using a new generation of simulation modeling environments in making management decisions has been substantiated. The analysis of the simulation modeling software used in practice and in the educational process of the universities of the world has been carried out. The advantages of the FlexSim software environment are described and the expediency of switching to the use of this environment in the practice of variant analysis of automated systems as well as in the educational process of universities and in the retraining of specialists is shown. A library of typical FlexSim models has been developed, providing training for a specialist who is able to analyze current problem situations in the design and operation of automated production and control systems. The authors have developed a methodology for the continuous use of FlexSim in the preparation of IT students. The method is designed for use in classical and technical universities, focused on training IT specialists, analysts and managers in structures for advanced training and retraining of personnel for modern automated production as well as for self-education.