Software

In Brief

Publications Pictures of the Future Fall 2004

Over 30,000 software developers work for Siemens. Annual R&D software expenditures total more than three billion euros. Softwareusually invisibly "embedded"is a part of a wide range of products, from cell phones to industrial control systems. This trend is set to continue as a result of the decreasing cost of computing power and memory. The complexity of software grows with the performance and new functions it can deliver, such as networking, real-time capability, error diagnoses and security(see Trends, Security and Facts and Forecasts)
New programming methods accelerate software development. The trend is toward highly adaptable software architectures with optimally matched, reusable components. It is already possible to automate some programming tasks(see Software Trends and Tools and Programming)
Software development is simultaneously becoming more internationalwhich means that the distribution of tasks in global teams is overwhelmingly determined by system architecture and respective levels of know-how(more)
In order to improve the quality of software, researchers are workingat Siemens in the Software Initiative and at an internationally recognized assessment centeron optimizing development and test processes. For automatic tests, Siemens has developed the "Code Inspector"( more)
Standardization makes software more cost-efficient, easier to develop and more user-friendly, e.g. with a new platform architecture for future vehicles or at home with the Universal Plug and Play standard. This simplifies installation and data exchange between devices. Thanks to open-source software like Linux, companies can develop software platforms and save on licensing fees( more)
Pervasive computing will lead to everyday intelligent devices capable of recognizing our needs and reacting to specific situations. Most of the necessary hardware is available todaybut the corresponding autonomous software and universal standards are still needed( more)