Software development in the product lifecycle
Software is changing the nature of engineered products. The level of software content in engineered products has grown to the point that software is defining the product, its performance characteristics, and its product issues. Embedded software is also increasing the complexity of engineered products as formerly straightforward mechanical systems are transformed into networked systems containing numerous interdependencies. The application lifecycle for embedded software has morphed from isolated to intrinsic activity, which has become a first-class citizen alongside the mechanical and electrical disciplines that comprise product engineering. As embedded software-based control has grown ubiquitous and interdependent, software designers have had to adopt the same “system of systems” design disciplines that their mechanical and electrical engineering counterparts have long practiced. In turn, product companies are facing the need to improve their management of application lifecycles.
As the product lifecycle has become the intersection for software development, engineering, marketing, and manufacturing, it has created a new battleground between ALM, PLM, and ERP vendors for the prize of managing the product lifecycle. There is no single formula for how people, processes, and technologies will interact in the new product lifecycle; the solutions will vary by industry sector.
As the product lifecycle has become the intersection for software development, engineering, marketing, and manufacturing, it has created a new battleground between ALM, PLM, and ERP vendors for the prize of managing the product lifecycle. There is no single formula for how people, processes, and technologies will interact in the new product lifecycle; the solutions will vary by industry sector.
SUMMARY
Impact
Ovum view
Key messages
Research Scope
SOFTWARE CONTENT IN PRODUCTS IS BECOMING PIVOTAL
Embedded software is becoming ubiquitous
Growth of embedded software content is transforming software engineering
Case study: global automaker – powertrain controls
PRODUCT LIFECYCLE REQUIREMENTS VARY
Every industry is different
Product parameters drive the product lifecycle
Physical size
Design complexity
Safety criticality
Supply chain
Overall product lead time
Product lifespan
THE EMBEDDED SOFTWARE LIFECYCLE
The cast of characters is wider than for enterprise software
The definition of customer is different
Product engineering roles are changing
Case study: software engineering group takes initiative for smart handset provider
The process
Collaboration and relationship management become essential
Software product line engineering discipline
SPL case study: computer printer manufacturer
TOOL SUPPORT
There is plenty of competition for managing software in the product lifecycle
Before: all (product) roads led to BOM
Product lifecycle management changes how products are defined
The future of product lifecycle integration is RESTful services
ALM vendors
IBM Rational
MKS
Point tool vendors
PLM vendors
Enterprise application vendors
PPM vendors
RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendations for enterprises
Recommendations for suppliers
APPENDIX
Further reading
Methodology
Impact
Ovum view
Key messages
Research Scope
SOFTWARE CONTENT IN PRODUCTS IS BECOMING PIVOTAL
Embedded software is becoming ubiquitous
Growth of embedded software content is transforming software engineering
Case study: global automaker – powertrain controls
PRODUCT LIFECYCLE REQUIREMENTS VARY
Every industry is different
Product parameters drive the product lifecycle
Physical size
Design complexity
Safety criticality
Supply chain
Overall product lead time
Product lifespan
THE EMBEDDED SOFTWARE LIFECYCLE
The cast of characters is wider than for enterprise software
The definition of customer is different
Product engineering roles are changing
Case study: software engineering group takes initiative for smart handset provider
The process
Collaboration and relationship management become essential
Software product line engineering discipline
SPL case study: computer printer manufacturer
TOOL SUPPORT
There is plenty of competition for managing software in the product lifecycle
Before: all (product) roads led to BOM
Product lifecycle management changes how products are defined
The future of product lifecycle integration is RESTful services
ALM vendors
IBM Rational
MKS
Point tool vendors
PLM vendors
Enterprise application vendors
PPM vendors
RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendations for enterprises
Recommendations for suppliers
APPENDIX
Further reading
Methodology
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Production characteristics for major durable goods sectors
Table 2: Players involved in conventional and embedded software lifecycle
Table 1: Production characteristics for major durable goods sectors
Table 2: Players involved in conventional and embedded software lifecycle
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Embedded software program size and deployment volume
Figure 2: Engineering change activity for mobile handset products
Figure 3: Traditional view of product definition
Figure 4: Evolving view of product definition
Figure 1: Embedded software program size and deployment volume
Figure 2: Engineering change activity for mobile handset products
Figure 3: Traditional view of product definition
Figure 4: Evolving view of product definition
