As we’ve mentioned in this space before, the level of software content and system complexity is rapidly expanding in multiple verticals such as automotive and avionics. Given the challenges of these industries, it is not surprising they have been long time user of modeling tools. In fact, modeling tools have emerged as the tool of choice to address a number of complex design challenges.
A look at some of our findings from VDC’s 2012 Software and System Development Survey, our extensive survey of the embedded and enterprise engineering community that we provide with our Software & System Modeling Tools report, illustrates the degree to which the actual use of standard and proprietary language-based tools is spread over a wide range of engineering tasks.
Our findings suggest that use cases for modeling tools have continued to expand as advances in functionality enable many engineers to utilize the tools outside of their originally intended design.
So what’s next?
Many of today’s incumbent processes and tools are limited in their efficacy and relevance in addressing the growing level of system complexity within and between various embedded subsystems in a common deployment scenario, such as might be encountered in an airplane, automobile, or manufacturing line. Much in the same way increased system complexity has elevated the value proposition of modeling solutions, we believe it will become more and more important for engineering organizations to find new methods for managing overall system development across different engineering domains.
- VDC has been in discussion with numerous stakeholders around this cross domain concept. We have been hearing progressively more interest about enhanced integration and collaboration between different engineering disciplines from OEM and tool supplier communities.
- VDC believes the facilitation of collaboration across project and product teams and improved visibility into product/product requirements, design, and status are among the benefits that could be realized through cross domain integration.
- Results from VDC’s 2012 Software and System Development Survey indicate not only is a large percentage of engineering organizations investigating integrations across multiple domains, but perhaps more importantly, the research suggests they will look to software vendors to lead this effort.
For further investigation and discussion about these trends and others, please see our recently published report, Software & System Modeling Tools, volume 1 of our 2012 Software & System Lifecycle Management Tools Market Intelligence Service. Please contact us for more information.
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