A proposed classification scheme for Ada-based software products

As the requirements for producing software in the Ada language become a reality for projects such as the Space Station, a great amount of Ada-based program code will begin to emerge. Recognizing the potential for varying levels of quality to result in Ada programs, what is needed is a classification scheme that describes the quality of a software product whose source code exists in Ada form. A 5-level classification scheme is proposed that attempts to decompose this potentially broad spectrum of quality which Ada programs may possess. The number of classes and their corresponding names are not as important as the mere fact that there needs to be some set of criteria from which to evaluate programs existing in Ada. An exact criteria for each class is not presented, nor are any detailed suggestions of how to effectively implement this quality assessment. The idea of Ada-based software classification is introduced and a set of requirements from which to base further research and development is suggested

Firm Assets and Investments in Open Source Software Products

Open source software (OSS) has recently emerged as a new way to organize innovation and product development in the software industry. This paper investigates the factors that explain the investment of profit-oriented firms in OSS products. Drawing on the resource-based theory of the firm, we focus on the role played by pre-OSS firm assets both upstream and downstream, in the software and the hardware dimensions, to explain the rate of product introduction in OSS. Using a self-assembled database of firms that have announced releases of OSS products during the period 1995-2003, we find that the intensity of product introduction can be explained by a strong position in software technology and downstream market presence in hardware. Firms with consolidated market presence in proprietary software and strong technological competences in hardware are more reluctant to shift to the new paradigm. The evidence is stronger for operating systems than for applications. The fear of cannibalization, the crucial role of absorptive capacity, and complementarities between hardware and software are plausible explanations behind our findings.Product Introduction, Open Source Software, Absorptive Capacity

Optimising processes of IT organisation through software products’ configuration management

The present paper is focused on the efficiency of processes within IT firms which design software products, by finding optimum management solutions for these types of activities. In order to achieve this, we focus on software products configuration management, with specific objectives in documenting and ensuring visibility to the product’s configuration and of the stage of achieving its physical and functional characteristics. Through configuration management, technical and administrative rules are established and applied for designing, developing, producing and supporting the elements of the product’s configuration, in each stage of its lifecycle. The conclusions of this research are focused on evaluating economic effects obtained by implementing the quality management system, according to the ISO 9001:2000 quality standard, while developing software products, at the level of IT firm.configuration management, quality management, product lifecycle, software quality

ISO roadmap for software products

The complex nature of ISO 9001 standards has been an obvious limitation for implementation. ISO 9001 accreditation provides external and internal advantages. The external benefits include increased market access and customer confidence. The internal advantages include quality improvements in both the product and process. However, this research demonstrates that the current ISO guideline for software products has not completely fulfilled the expectations in its implementation within the software organisation. Numerous companies are experiencing difficulties with ISO implementation and maintenance. Based on the analysis provided by this research, poor communication and an unsystematic approach were identified as the main current problems associated with ISO implementation. In addition, it also shows that the organisations often underestimate internal organisation factors, such as resistance to change. The existing difficulties in maintaining applied quality systems have resulted in a lack of control and monitoring. This thesis introduces an ISO Roadmap and corresponding Checklist for software products. The main goal of this ISO Roadmap is to provide enhanced transparency and assistance in the application of ISO 90003:2004 in order to make ISO implementation more manageable, visible and understandable for all people involved within the organisation. The result of this research provides the software industry with an initial step towards better systematisation and control for ISO implementations. This should help the software industry to better navigate through the ‘ISO jungle’ and facilitate an improved approach for implementation and maintenance activities. This research relied heavily on the development of the literature review, ISO 90003 standards, and knowledge from interviewees ... [cont.]

SOFTWARE PIRACY AND HOW IT IS INFLUENCED BY THE CORRUPTION LEVEL FOR ANY GIVEN COUNTRY. OPEN SOURCE AND FREE SOFTWARE AS SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM.

Today’s IT world is slowly driving towards open source and open software trends. Even Microsoft is taking such approach with some of its software products (the MSDNAA program is the best example). Although everyone is happy that software is becoming cheaper or even open source, we must ask ourselves what led to this trend. Why are software companies giving out software products for free when just a few years ago they were charging us big money for it? The answer is, of course, marketing issues. But another big factor is the piracy factor.software piracy, corruption, open source, free software, statistic, test

Migrating Software Products to the Cloud

Cloud computing, as a disruptive innovation, has the potential to adversely affect companies. The effects can be particularly extreme for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Subsequently, considerations of organisational resilience should be made when integrating with disruptive innovations like cloud computing. This paper reports of a longitudinal study investigating how a set of SME high-value software vendors are migrating their software products to the cloud. Adaptive socio-technical systems (ASTSs) concepts are used to provide a framework for understanding the adoption process. This study draws out a set of macro and micro themes relating to key phases of strategy development, the migration process and the impact on customer perceptions. From the findings, more systemic and holistic approaches are identified to address key tensions through the adoption life cycle while considering organisational resilience

Specifications and programs for computer software validation

Three software products developed during the study are reported and include: (1) FORTRAN Automatic Code Evaluation System, (2) the Specification Language System, and (3) the Array Index Validation System

CHARACTERISTICS AND EVALUATION METHODS OF THE CASE TOOLS

The acronym CASE – Computer Assisted Software Engineering – is the term used to indicate a collection of methods, tools and processes used in the development of software products with the assistance of the computer.IPSE