On Target: Embedded Systems

VDC Embedded Jama Software Webinar

How to Understand Requirements Management to Develop and Deliver Faster For Embedded Systems Developers, Time to Market is Critical. Learn the No. 1 Strategy to Develop and Deliver Faster. During this free webinar on Wednesday, July 23 at 1:00pm ET / 10:00am PT, VDC Research analyst André Girard and Jama Software co-founder Derwyn Harris will present on the growing necessity for requirements management (RM) tools in the face of today’s increasingly complex code bases, distributed development teams, and stricter budgets. OEMs are facing constant pressure for innovation even with tight budgets, and they are dedicating more of their resources towards... Read more →

IoT Necessitates Changes in Both People and Technology

The requirements of the devices composing the Internet of Things are changing rapidly. The embedded market no longer consists of dedicated-purpose devices that may or may not be connected. Engineering organizations and deploying enterprises must now design scalable system topologies that can integrate new devices and adapt to the IoT’s evolution. While these next-generation systems are required to facilitate downstream device/node management as well as efficient upstream data transfer and analytics, they must also do so dynamically, allowing for more intelligence and flexibility in node role and workloads within sub-network architectures. This recognition of a need for change in legacy... Read more →

Agile in Embedded: Slow to Adopt, Fast to Spread

VDC just recently completed an in-depth analysis into the use and trends around Agile and DevOps methods in the embedded systems market. It is an exciting space with a number of dynamic changes underway as OEMs investigate new ways to improve the overall efficiency of systems development in the face of pressing time-to-market, process standard, and complexity challenges. We have a lot of compelling findings that demonstrate the growing use of Agile, DevOps, and other collaborative approaches across the embedded landscape. As we dug deep into the data an interesting theme kept linking the findings…collaboration is contagious. Challenges unique to... Read more →

Cross-domain integration: the new look of engineering

The benefits of enhanced integration and collaboration between different engineering disciplines are undeniable. A cross-domain integration approach is becoming more important and beneficial as products become more complex. To ensure that products function properly, it is imperative that developers understand how the software, electrical, and mechanical components work together. Using cross-domain integration, product developers are more efficient while also addressing the concerns of both managers and end users, helping ensure that the product is the best it can be. In VDC’s 2013 Software and System Development Survey, 45% of the respondents indicate the biggest advantage of cross-domain integration is an... Read more →

Android to Transform Medical Device Market

In an increasingly mobile environment infused with continual technological innovation, OEMs are considering new platforms to develop embedded systems. While there are various platforms to choose from, Android has emerged as the foundation of many new embedded systems. It boasts natural advantages compared to other operating systems – iOS, Blackberry, and Windows to name a few – such as its robust open source user-interface, integrated connectivity, and royalty-free licensing, which can minimize cost and provide OEMs flexibility as they try to fit technology to specific industry needs. Emerging tools in the medical space mark the potential innovation Android can bring... Read more →

Outsourced Code Development Driving Automated Test Tool Market

The M2M embedded software team here at VDC Research just published a new report, 2013 Automated Test & Verification Tools (ATVT), volume 3 of our Software & System Lifecycle Management Tools intelligence service. The report looks into the most critical trends and market drivers impacting the rapidly evolving use of dynamic test and static analysis tools in the embedded and enterprise/IT markets. We expect revenues for several product segments within ATVT to expand at a double digit growth rate over the next several years, fueled by a number of factors. One of the primary challenges fueling ATVT use is that... Read more →

Controlling Complexity with Automated Testing

The increase in the volume and complexity of software code in recent years is indisputable. Software has now become the most critical component for end product differentiation. It is likewise intuitively understood that it is, therefore, the most critical path within the product development cycle. Unfortunately, the larger, more complex software projects of today inevitably result in higher volumes of defects within these code bases. More and more organizations are recognizing the need to identify critical quality, safety and security issues early in the lifecycle where they are the least expensive to fix. The use of automated test and verification... Read more →

Agile2013: VDC Research is heading to Nashville - Music City!

The M2M Embedded Software team is excited to be heading to Nashville to attend Agile2013 (#agile2013). The growing adoption of Agile methodologies is one of the most important developments in the software lifecycle management solution market since VDC started covering it in 2000. Despite origins in the enterprise/IT software development world, iterative software development methods have also taken hold in the embedded market. In fact, nearly 50% of embedded engineers we surveyed in 2012 used Agile and Iterative methods. As embedded systems continue to evolve, organizations still relying on traditional development methodologies are struggling to keep pace with their software... Read more →

Controlling In-Vehicle Innovation with IVI Design

Automotive differentiation is no longer driven by gears and grease. Electronic systems now control most aspects of a vehicle’s operation and the software within those systems has risen to account for an increasing share of their functionality and differentiation. Today, software content growth in the automotive industry continues to outpace most other embedded device classes. In no automotive sector is this trend more acute than in IVI. The culture of conservatism, rooted in automotive’s safety-critical requirements, that has traditionally characterized the domain must adapt. The recent financial crisis imposed an unparalleled catalyst for such change. Entire supply chains followed the... Read more →

It’s Electric…Boogie Woogie Woogie!

As the world’s energy reserves continue to wane, there is an ongoing shift towards the use of renewable energy sources. Concurrently, developments in advanced electric power systems (EPS), more commonly known as smart grids, are catching the eye of utility and power companies worldwide. Using two-way digital communication technology, smart grids can generate and distribute sustainable, economic and secure energy supplies. In response to advances in EPSs, an increasing number of renewable energy-based resource installations are taking place. As these installations occur, it is critical to ensure that these systems are properly engineered in accordance with relevant performance standards such... Read more →