itemis AG presents YAKINDU
New solution for model driven development of embedded systems.
Abstract
itemis AG, a company specialized in model driven software development, presents its new product and service portfolio YAKINDU at the conference and exhibition embeddedworld. With YAKINDU, itemis has developed a new concept of software development techniques with the use of model driven software development (MDSD) and Eclipse-based tool chains for embedded systems. The grass roots of YAKINDU, represented in the research project “Model-based, generative software development for embedded systems”, were already granted an award at the competition “Zukunftswettbewerb Ruhrgebiet”. Besides itemis, two other institutions participated in this research project. At embeddedworld the young project received another award granted by the initiative “Germany – Land of Ideas”. The initiative is funded by the German Federal Government and the industry, represented by the Federation of German Industries (BDI) and leading corporations.
Model driven software development is successfully used in other areas of business and the research project has shown the advantages of reusing elements in business applications on a higher level of abstraction. So far, these kinds of concepts are practically not implemented in the development of embedded systems. Engineers use their own methods to plan the systems, which are not optimized for modularization and therefore do not profit from possible synergy effects.
YAKINDU Reduces Development Time
Systems in mini or micro computers run with highly complex and comprehensive software. The increasing complexity of control software calls for new ways of software development: to be capable of competing, the development cycles of embedded systems have to be reduced drastically. With the help of the model driven, generative software development method, the complexity of software can be reduced for the sake of faster development. YAKINDU provides software developers with the tools they need for programming and testing these embedded systems in a fast and effective way. By doing this, YAKINDU combines the most up-to-date information systems with engineering techniques. The most important parts in this process are the digital models of the systems to be developed. With the help of these models it is possible to automatically create parts of the software, to simulate their effect and to test their interplay with other components.
Development Tools for Professionals
For model-based, generative software development tools are needed, which can be ideally customized according to the individual needs of the company. On top of that, these tools should smoothly integrate with existing tool chains. Such a continuous and integrated tool chain supports the entire development process – ranging from the requirements and the modeling of characteristics and structures, to simulation and visualization, validation and verification, up to code generation, manual implementation, deployment and automated tests.
By means of the model driven, generative development method, the complexity of software may be reduced to speed up the development process. YAKINDU is a totally new concept for this and makes it possible to sensitively use model driven development for embedded systems:
- Advantages in speed through code generation
- Complexity is reduced by means of abstraction
- Quality is assured via automation
YAKINDU comprises five core areas:
- Development Tools
- Consulting Services
- Trainings
- Support Services
- Research&Development
The YAKINDU Development Tools allow tool chains to be up to the future. They upgrade tool chains by extensions which are necessary for an ideal support of model driven development processes. The YAKINDU Development Tools provide companies with accurate support for their existing tool chain. They are based on up-to-date Eclipse open source technology and can be tailor-made to fit their individual needs. itemis creates such perfectly tailored solutions for special code generators, validation frameworks, graphical or text editors and more – always on the basis of individual needs.
itemis has created the YAKINDU Quick Check for a first introduction to model driven software development (MDSD). With the Quick Check companies receive a first, concise overview of their potential in terms of implementing MDSD.
The YAKINDU Consulting Services provide developer teams with professional and tailor-made support for the implementation of model driven development. The quality and speed – yielding embedded systems from the requirements to actually being ready for the market – are getting more and more important, especially since the market is coming close to saturation. Thus it is all the more important to be able to optimize development methods and tools at any time and to adjust them in accordance with new challenges.
The YAKINDU Trainings offer companies information on the potentials of model driven software development and the possibility to train their team members in a focused and effective way. With the help of YAKINDU Trainings, it is possible to receive a general idea on the potentials of model driven development or to deepen the knowledge on high-level topics, i.e. the development of DSL editors or product lines. The comprehensive YAKINDU Training offers know-how on everything MDSD.
The YAKINDU Support Services offer the security required for the use of the development tools. Today, it is possible to effectively optimize your tool chain with the use of open source solutions on the basis of Eclipse and individual extensions. However, another crucial factor for the time-critical development of products is a quick reaction in case of failures. A professional support service assures you optimal reactions should any problems arise.
At the division YAKINDU Research&Development the MDSD specialists at itemis always stay up-to-date regarding the latest technological developments. Therefore we regularly put the latest research expertise into practice to be well-prepared for the future. This ensures the customers the competitive edge when it comes to being in step with actual practice.
Learn More About the itemis Community
itemis provides a wide range of community and networking offers on its main topics. The recently created forum “Embedded Systems” on the business platform XING (www.xing.com) already counts more than 90 members. Interested people are highly welcome to join the network and to share experiences on everything embedded systems. Another option to stay tuned in the area of software business is the internal itemis blog. The “itemis world” is open for customers and other interested parties. Do not hesitate to have a look at http://blogs.itemis.de if you are interested in literature recommendations, oAW, MDSD or other topics in the field of software development and IT consulting.