It is intended to provide specifications for a common standard to interconnect ground rigs of all types, such as simulation and integration facilities.
Use of flexible bearer protocols, such as IP, makes it easier to exchange such J-Series data, particularly for simulations and integration.
However, the SIMPLE is not limited to use for simulation and integration, and is finding applications beyond its original purpose wherever transmission of J-Series data is not amenable over radio protocols such as Link 16.
These address forms are independent of the transport, which may have similar concepts (Serial and TCP point-to-point, UDP multicast and broadcast).
The development of SIMPLE resulted from the requirement in February 1996 of the Ad Hoc Working Group (AHWG) on NATO Common Interoperability Standards (NCIS) Testing for a single interface standard to support the interconnection of NATO resources.