Softwareport provides a software development platform that combines high-level control, embedded software and virtual prototyping into one integrative solution. The Softwareport is a joint venture of three software companies – Cordis, Festa Solutions and Unit040 – that uses a Model Driven Engineering approach, saving time, costs and programming headaches.
Combining high-level and low-level control logic Softwareport’s solutions are especially perfectly suitable for situations where high-level and low-level control operate together, for example in the distribution of luggage in an airport. The high-level control of coordinating incoming and outgoing flights and the low-level control of operating the luggage belts have to cooperate seamlessly. It could also be used in the operation of a series of bridges, where the arrival of the ships (high-level control) and the mechanics of opening and closing the bridges (low-level control) have to work in tandem. Another example is a smart factory (Industry 4.0), where robots, 3D printers and automated guided vehicles (AGV’s) work together to manufacture and assemble products, increasing overall efficiency.
Developing software for these systems is painstaking and error-prone due to the complex behaviors that have to be managed and integrated. Through a Model Driven Engineering approach Softwareport uses an elegant and simplified solution that saves time, energy and human coding mistakes.
Why Softwareport?
Softwareport can accelerate the transition to Industry 4.0, where manufacturing processes are smart and fully automated. Softwareport is able to develop both hardware and software for smart factories in less time and with reduced costs. Because of its automatic software coding based on functional design, hardware and software development run parallel instead of sequential.
The option of virtual simulation using a digital twin further improves efficiency by eliminating the time consuming and costly process of physical prototype testing and bug fixing. The use of running a digital twin parallel to the physical factory also makes maintenance more predictable. In later stages technical modifications and factory updates can also be virtually tested for risk-free implementation in the factory.
How do the companies work together?
The three companies comprising Softwareport each take care of one aspect of the integrative solution. Festa Solutions specializes in developing high-level control software, Cordis takes care of low-level control logic and Unit040 provides a visualization and simulation tool (‘digital twin’) to guarantee functional implementation of the software.
ICT Group works with Softwareport and educates software engineers in the Model Driven Engineering approach. Below we will explain the advantage of working with Festa Solutions for developing high-level control software in a real-world scenario.
Case Study: developing software for an Air Traffic Control system using the Festa Engine
Festa Solutions specializes in developing High-Level Control (HLC) software systems from design to development, hosting and maintenance. Based on a Model Driven Engineering approach Festa offers higher quality, flexibility and functionality against lower costs and less througput time. Festa’s HLC systems are especially geared for use in smart factories, where internet-of-things technology and Big Data require vertical integration of IT systems.
ICT Group’s software engineer Annie Jovitha Arulanandam enrolled in an internship with Festa Solutions to become more familiar with its software tool, the Festa Engine.
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