Delta’s Generators Again Achieve The Shortlist For The “Software Engineering 2006” Research Initiative

With the research initiative “Software Engineering 2006” the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) aims to strengthen Germany’s leading position in software technology. Delta Software Technology will be playing a central role in the project “Model-Driven Integration of Information Systems” (MINT) by providing the generator technology and tools. Our product SCORE Adaptive Bridges will be used and extended to make existing applications and their data objects available as flexible services in new environments. In addition, the HyperSenses Technology created by Delta has been selected to develop project-specific generators.

The Research Initiative

The second round of the “Software Engineering 2006” research initiative is funded to the tune of 45 million euro and is focused on:

• Maintenance and reuse of application software systems
• Correctness, security and reliability of software systems
• Development of software systems in (geographically) distributed environments
• Ambient intelligence
• Requirements engineering (including end user development)

In order to support innovation in strategically important fields of technology, and to strengthen Germany’s standing in the international marketplace, particular emphasis is being given to joint projects between research institutes, universities and commercial organisations.

Delta has already delivered the generator technology and tools for the successfully initiated PESOA project (Process Family Engineering in Service-Oriented Applications) that was a part of the research initiative round that started in 2003. With the new project Delta builds on its successful co-operation with research institutes and universities.

The MINT Project

Existing model-driven approaches for the integration of software systems have unfortunately up until now concentrated on new development, thereby neglecting the challenges of integration, evolution and modernization of existing systems.

The MINT project, lead by the renowned “Oldenburger Research and Development Institute for Information Tools and Systems” (OFFIS), has as its goal the creation of an innovative model-driven software development process that supports the integration of existing (heterogeneous) commercial software systems. By using model-driven development concepts and advanced generator technology the project aims to increase the adaptability of the software so that it is better able to thrive in a continuously changing world.

This project is part of the research initiative stream “Maintenance and Reuse of Application Software System”. A key element of the project is a comprehensive validation process that will compare and evaluate the different connector technologies with the goal of creating decision criteria for the possible real-world use of the methodology.

Delta’s Generative Tools

Delta’s SCORE Adaptive Bridges product, already proven in customer projects, is able to integrate existing applications and application components as adaptive services into new “worlds”. The necessary adapters are automatically generated. SCORE Adaptive Bridges’ non-invasive integration technique ensures that existing data objects and application components can be reused unchanged.

A particular focus of the MINT project is the possibility to reuse existing data objects as adaptive services in diverse client architectures.

In addition, Delta’s advanced HyperSenses Technology and Pattern By Example will be used to develop project-specific generators.

Start Anticipated in October 2005

The decisive factor in selecting projects for the research initiative, in addition to the level of innovation and the significance compared to other international activities, is the feasibility of the project taking into account the scientific and technical implementation risks. Only about 10% of the submitted project proposals make it through the selection process onto the shortlist.

For Delta the close cooperation with leading universities is an important element in product development. The early and comprehensive feedback enables the development of products that are ideally suited to the use in large projects.

The MINT project has made it onto the shortlist of projects selected as being especially worthy of funding in the second round of the Federal Ministry for Education and Research’s “Software Engineering 2006” research initiative. Following the submission of detailed project descriptions, all that is now required is for the funding to be approved and then the way will be clear for the MINT project to start in October.

Further Information

If you would like to learn more about the advantages of our generator technology and tools then please read our white paper “Faster ROI Through Automatic Integration of the Back-End Systems” or contact your local sales representative.

You will find further information on our core technologies, as well as on Delta’s activities in the area “Research and Development”, on our Emerging Technologies Web site.

You would like to be regularly informed of our research and development activities? Then simply subscribe to our GP-Letter.

SCORE Adaptive Bridges

SCORE Adaptive Bridges offers secure and in particular non-invasive integration for existing applications. The applications can not only be efficiently connected with new clients, they are even in the position with SCORE Adaptive Bridges to make new bespoke services available for clients – without requiring any changes to the programs. SCORE Adaptive Bridges automatically generates all the integration and connectivity code that is required.

If you would like to know more about SCORE Adaptive Bridges then you will find comprehensive information in the Product area of our Web site. Alternatively please contact your local sales representative.