ITI Techmedia Invests £4.3m In R&D Programme To Reduce Errors In The Software Design Process
Market for tools to deliver greater efficiency to the software industry
set to reach $3.8 billion by 2016
ITI Techmedia today announced plans to create software design and development technologies which will play a role in reducing the incidence of critical errors in commonly applied software design processes.
Such errors might manifest themselves as the unexplained “crash” familiar to everyday computer users, but can have greater consequences in enterprise environments where simple software errors can lead to significant losses in terms of money and information.
By combining a range of innovative techniques and methodologies to address this challenging problem, the R&D programme (referred to as ‘Software Integrity Engineering’) is expected to develop technology which will significantly reduce the incidence of critical code weaknesses and enable identification and prevention of errors at an early stage in the software design process. Currently, critical errors are often not identified until software testing or later, and are even found in commercially deployed software. The nature of software code can mean that seemingly insignificant errors can have enormous ramifications.
The ITI R&D programme will focus on developing innovative software tools which are applicable to error detection and correction in mainstream programming languages such as Java and C++. ITI Techmedia estimates that the market opportunity for such software quality tools could grow from $2 billion in 2007 to $3.8 billion by 2016.
This is the eighth R&D programme for ITI Techmedia, which develops market-driven intellectual property (IP) for the benefit of the Scottish economy. The programme will receive an investment of £4.3m over three years.
ITI Techmedia has engaged the services of a number of R&D providers. Mindsheet, BitWise and Roke Manor Research (Roke) have been contracted to undertake the initial work required in research and system design. It is expected that additional organisations will be added to complement the skills of this core team during the lifetime of the programme.
Terry Hurley, Managing Director of ITI Techmedia, commented: “Our research indicates that there is a clear market need for better solutions to help reduce the number of critical errors in software design. Software development is undoubtedly getting more complex and sophisticated with increasing pressure to get to market quickly. These pressures can limit the extent of software testing that takes place, therefore eliminating errors early in the process is becoming ever more critical. We have three well respected R&D providers on board, who will use their years of expertise to help work towards a solution to benefit the software industry. We are seeking to engage with companies interested in exploiting this valuable new technology”
Welcoming the announcement, Enterprise Minister Jim Mather said: “Software underpins the performance of all sectors of the economy, therefore new approaches that can improve the integrity of ever more complex systems will offer huge benefits to end users. I am delighted that ITI Techmedia has successfully developed this important R&D programme that will bolster Scotland's reputation for robust software as it also has the potential to deliver significant commercial advantage in a rapidly expanding global market.”
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Notes to Editor
For further information, interviews or photography please contact:
Jessica Sealby / Jamie Henderson
Firefly Communications
0131 553 0150
jessica.sealby@fireflycomms.com
james.henderson@fireflycomms.com
About ITI Techmedia
ITI Techmedia is a commercial organisation focused on driving sustainable economic growth in Scotland, through the ownership of commercially targeted R&D programmes that deliver world-class intellectual assets. It identifies technologies required to address future global market opportunities, then funds and manages R&D Programmes and the subsequent commercial exploitation of new intellectual property (IP).
Further information is available on the website: http://www.ititechmedia.com/.
About BitWise Group
Founded in 1987, BitWise specialises in embedded software development and associated applications. Privately owned, BitWise is a services company and provides professional system design services to a European and US client-base. The company offers software design, system design, and consulting to companies operating in a range of sectors including medical, communications, financial, energy, defence, and automotive.
Headquartered in the UK (Dunfermline, Scotland), BitWise has European operations in Estonia (Tallinn), Netherlands (Eindhoven), Sweden (Stockholm) and the UK (Bracknell, Dunfermline, and Bellshill). BitWise Ltd is a UK-based technology company founded over 20 years ago based on expertise in the financial and electronics sectors. Throughout its history, BitWise has shown consistent growth and all expansion has been fully funded from revenues.
BitWiseRT Ltd. was formed in 2006 from an existing team of automotive system specialists who had been working together since 1998. BitWiseRT specialises in high reliability Real Time software providing consulting services, training and embedded systems to the automotive, transportation and industrial control sectors.
Further information is available at: http://www.bitwisegroup.com/
About MindSheet
Mindsheet helps its clients achieve business advantage from innovation and technology. It specialises in helping companies develop breakthrough products and services in highly complex environments where understanding how to deliver value to customers requires deep insight into their operations and behaviour. Mindsheet has the resources and capabilities to rapidly take breakthrough ideas through the full development lifecycle from concept development to system integration and testing.
The ability to develop and launch new products and services is critical for the long-term future of any business, yet 90% of new developments result in commercial failure. Mindsheet Limited addresses these very issues with a set of proven processes that ensure every launch is a winner.
Further information is available at: http://www.mindsheet.com/.
About Roke
Roke is an innovative solutions provider and contract R&D specialist. It pioneers developments in electronic sensors, networks, and communications technology, providing products and services to Siemens businesses, Government departments, and commercial customers. The company employs 478 people. Its orders for the financial year ending 30 September 2007 were £44.85m and turnover for the same period was £40.35 million.
Further information is available at: http://www.roke.co.uk/
