PTC Integrity Modeler

InDetail

August 2015

Paper by Bloor by Paper David Norfolk

for Systems and Software Engineering and Software Systems for PTC Integrity Modeler Integrity PTC …a tool standards-based InDetail Author date Publish A key success factor“ for PTC Integrity Modeler is the continuing active involvement of its parent company in the development of key OMG standards such as the SysML extension to UML and the UPDM consolidation of the MODAF and DoDAF Enterprise Architecture frameworks.

Author David Norfolk” Executive summary PTC Integrity Modeler is a standards-based, graphical systems and software engineering tool which, in our view, caters well for large distributed teams working on mission-critical and safety-critical projects involving the integration of software, hardware and human process.

owever, in order to fully business and the technical needs of all appreciate this tool, it is customers with the goal of providing H important that its potential a quality product that meets the user users understand the concept of Systems needs.” Engineering (SE) and how it differs from In line with this, the PTC Integrity merely writing computer programs. In Modeler tool (in conjunction with the rest In our view, a company essence, Systems Engineering starts with of the PTC Integrity, Windchill, Creo and really needs“ to understanding a business-level problem ThingWorx tool-suites) promises to help institutionalise a and its context, independently of any companies to develop effective, holistic automated solution, and works forward solutions to large business-critical mature, metrics- to implementing human processes, problems, using systems engineering focussed, business- software and hardware which together principles and software engineering aligned systems solve the problem by means of “Systems to make the SE models “actionable” development culture of Systems” (SoS). In contrast to SoS, (that is, to produce code that will run in before it will be able conventional development only deals production). We think that it succeeds. with one simple, usually computerised, Nevertheless, “a fool with a tool is still a to utilise PTC Integrity system; SoS are much harder to fool” and no tool, by itself, can guarantee Modeler (or similar comprehend and manage without success – especially with the inherently tools) effectively. effective modelling. difficult class of problem PTC tends to A useful definition of Systems target. In our view, a company really Engineering comes from the International needs to institutionalise a mature, Council on Systems Engineering metrics-focused, business-aligned (INCOSE) at www.incose.org/practice/ systems development culture before ” whatissystemseng.aspx: it will be able to utilise PTC Integrity “Systems Engineering is an Modeler (or similar tools) effectively. interdisciplinary approach and means to enable the realisation of successful Fast facts systems. It focuses on defining customer PTC Integrity Modeler is, in effect, what needs and required functionality early used to be called a CASE (Computer in the development cycle, documenting Aided Software Engineering) Tool; requirements, then proceeding with which supports systems and software design synthesis and system validation engineering in conjunction with standard while considering the complete problem: Enterprise Architecture (EA) frameworks Operations (such as UPDM) and standard notations • (such as UML 2, SysML and OVM). Cost & Schedule • However, readers whose eyes are now • Performance glazing over need to rethink what these • Training & Support terms really mean in a 21st century Test context. • Enterprise Architecture (EA) frameworks Disposal • have been developed and used successfully • Manufacturing by, in particular, the defence industry in “Systems Engineering integrates all order to manage long running projects the disciplines and speciality groups using distributed teams of analysts into a team effort forming a structured and programmers often working in development process that proceeds different countries and even for different from concept to production to operation. organisations. Building something like a Systems Engineering considers both the fighter plane, which operates on interlinked

3 A Bloor InDetail Paper human processes, software and mechanical to concentrate on the problem they are systems – with significant safety-critical trying to describe and solve, without issues – and which takes many years and fighting a clumsy user interface. millions of dollars to develop, is simply a More fundamentally, however, PTC very hard problem; too hard to address Integrity Modeler is standards-based. effectively without support from automated It not only supports OMG (Object tools. However, it is a problem similar to Management Group) UML 2 notation but many being encountered in, say, the health the properly-formed, OMG standard, SE and telecommunications industry – and, extension of UML, SysML. OMG SysML dare we say it – problems that may soon be is an interesting development that takes recognised in the financial services industry. UML beyond the world of computer EA is rapidly becoming seen as an important programming. Grady Booch (of IBM enabler for the alignment of business with Rational) is no fan of “high ceremony” technology and many organisations are process and expresses some regrets EA is rapidly becoming therefore adopting EA modelling and need that UML has rather grown beyond the “seen as an important tools to assist with this. simple visualisation tool that he and enabler for the SE is important because it starts by the rest of the “three amigos” originally considering the problem, rather than envisaged; but even he regards SysML alignment of business any particular technology solution. as an interesting and probably useful with technology and This makes it easier to take advantage refactoring of the UML concept (personal many organisations are of emerging technologies (such as communication at the Rational Software therefore adopting EA IoT) without being tied to outmoded Conference 2009), remembering that the modelling and need practices. It also makes it easier to UML 2 meta-model specifically supports develop holistic services that address such extensions. The difference between tools to assist with this. both non-functional requirements UML2 and SysML is most clearly seen (security, business continuity, integration in the difference between the formal with business processes, etc.) and (and rather incomprehensible) Object functional requirements, automated and Constraint Language (OCL) in UML 2 manual, of the organisation. In fact SE and the use of parameters in SysML to ” helps you be agile while at the same introduce real-world constraints into time managing the risk associated with SysML models in a pragmatic and less innovation, because you are always software-oriented way. PTC Integrity focussed on the business-level problem Modeler is also one of the few tools to being solved. SE is inherently technology properly support ISO 26550 compliant neutral, which is good because very Orthogonal Variability Modeling (OVM), few computerised systems are, in fact, which uniquely lets you extend SysML wholly automated and implemented and UML for model-based Product Line entirely in software: the automation is Management. embedded in a human-oriented process PTC Integrity Modeler also supports and interfaces with automated hardware established EA architectural frameworks systems. An automated system can’t be such as UPDM (Unified Profile for DoDAF validated properly if you aren’t aware of and MODAF) – the latest OMG initiative the human processes and mechanical that consolidates and (we hope) re- systems it integrates with; and SE, in factors MODAF and DoDAF MODAF conjunction with EA modelling, helps to (Architectural Frameworks from the UK ensure that the business sponsors of a Ministry of Defence and the US Dept. of new development, the business analysts Defence, respectively). designing the solution, the systems Moreover, PTC Integrity Modeler analysts designing any associated models are “actionable”, which keeps computer systems and the mechanical them alive and aligned both with or electrical engineers designing the business process and the business’ hardware, are all “reading off the same automated systems. Code can be song sheet”. automatically generated from UML class PTC Integrity Modeler addresses the and state diagrams. However, old- perceived failings of many 20th century fashioned on-demand synchronisation CASE tools, partly because desktop of the code with a model (which technology is now rich enough for users implies that at any particular time,

© 2015 Bloor 4 the model and code may be out of The bottom line synchronisation) is being deprecated Organisations of all types are becoming in favour of instantaneous, automatic ever more dependent on extremely large, code synchronisation using new non- distributed and complex systems in which procedural code generators. These are software, hardware and human processes based on generator model templates, are aligned to deliver an effective which are themselves generated using service to the business. The growth in a meta-generator: the PTC Template the Internet of Things is evidence of Development Kit (TDK). this trend. In order to develop these, automated tools that enable not only Key findings software developers, but all the other In the opinion of Bloor Research, the stakeholders in automated business following represent the key facts of systems development, to move freely which prospective users of PTC Integrity between the realms of code, requirements Modeler should be aware: and hardware selection and design, are Organisations of all • It is properly repository-based becoming essential. types are becoming“ (using a good meta-model behind PTC Integrity Modeler is one such ever more dependent tool using advanced standards-based, an object-oriented database on extremely large, appropriate to storing hierarchical actionable models to effectively manage model components) and inherently the complexity of the large automated distributed and extremely flexible and customisable; systems organisations are developing complex systems with a reasonable security model, to today. A key success factor for PTC in which software, render customisation manageable. Integrity Modeler is the continuing active hardware and human involvement of its parent companies This live repository is what enables processes are aligned true multi-user modelling with this (starting with Artisan Software Tools, then class of tool, thus making it ideal for Atego and now PTC), in the development to deliver an effective large, distributed teams. of key OMG standards such as the service to the business. SysML extension to UML and the UPDM It incorporates a good • consolidation of the MODAF and DoDAF implementation of the OMG UML Enterprise Architecture frameworks. meta-model which, in part, makes it easy to customise and extend the tool, as development processes using ” the UML notation evolve. • One example of this inherent support for evolving standards is that it was one of the first tools to support the OMG SysML standard notation for Systems Engineering models. • It was also one of the first tools to support the emerging OMG UPDM refactoring and consolidation of the MODAF and DoDAF Enterprise Architecture frameworks. • It is one of the few tools supporting ISO 26550 compliant Orthogonal Variability Modeling (OVM), for model- based Product Line Management. And the only one supporting OVM in conjunction with SysML and UML. • It supports automatic template- based synchronisation of computer code and the relevant parts of the detailed architectural model. This is more flexible and efficient than older approaches.

5 A Bloor InDetail Paper PTC Integrity Modeler in detail

The need for Systems Engineering Implementation and installation and Enterprise Architecture and PTC Integrity Modeler is a powerful its consequences enterprise-level product and it won’t PTC Integrity Modeler in detail be possible to go into detail on all its The need for Systems Engineering implementations (server only, client only and Enterprise Architecture and its or stand-alone) here. Essentially, it is a consequences TCP/IP based client/server application, in It is important to keep the context which the server manages repositories for a Systems Engineering (SE) and holding the metadata behind PTC Enterprise Architecture (EA) tool in Integrity Modeler models and the client mind when assessing the PTC Integrity develops models that are stored in these Modeler tool. SE is necessary because repositories. One consequence of organisations are increasingly dependent You need to think carefully through “this holistic view is the on software, firmware and hardware used the options you require before starting need for a common to automate their processes. Approaches PTC Integrity Modeler set-up and if you that concentrate merely on one aspect are installing for a large distributed language and semantics (or even a few aspects of this) – clever enterprise, you’ll need to do significant across a wide range of IDE tools for example – merely address advance planning – this is inevitable. stakeholders, some of parts of the problem. Increased coding If you are installing a full client/ which may be outside of productivity, for example, is of little value server system, you install and customise the organisation. if the code produced doesn’t contribute the server first (your customizations value to a holistic service being delivered. can be changed later. This sets up the EA is necessary because in a business Fujitsu-sourced object oriented (OO) and service-oriented world, the needs database used for the repositories and a and concerns of all stakeholders in floating license server. You might choose the organisations processes must be a server-only installation if you need to ” considered. EA promotes what IBM calls give many users on different computers a “sense of self”; it helps to ensure that access to a central model repository – everyone in the organisation (and even the users would each need a client-only outside it) involved in using, developing installation on their computer. A stand- or managing automated service delivery alone installation is for a single user with is reading off the same song-sheet. a local repository and a local license but However, one consequence of this its client part can also access central holistic view is the need for a common model repositories, dependent on the language and semantics across a wide access rights settings. range of stakeholders, some of which may PTC Integrity Modeler runs on be outside of the organisation. So, an any current version of Windows and a important aspect of PTC Integrity Modeler typical modern enterprise-strength PC. at the highest level is that it supports A large monitor is recommended for the OMG-sponsored UML 2 and SysML diagramming. standards, together with established The requirements for various architectural frameworks (notably the installations are fully documented in emerging OMG UPDM refactoring/ the PTC Integrity Modeler release notes, integration of MODAF and DoDAF). available on its website. Useful hints Its vision is to provide a single tool on optimising PTC Integrity Modeler suite with which large geographically for different uses are also available, in dispersed teams of analysts and systems the PTC Integrity Modeler installation and software engineers can collaborate guide. For instance, if you are supporting on the development of smart connected large numbers of users or large models products all the way through from (where a “large model” implies a server the business conception behind an repository bigger than about 1Gb), automated system through to its physical PTC recommends a larger multicore implementation. computer (we are pleased that multicore is supported); more RAM; the use of different physical disks for the repository

© 2015 Bloor 6 and its backups (as both are written to this to involve unnecessary processing simultaneously); the use of RAID 0 rather overheads and complexity in operational than RAID 5, if using RAID; and enabling practice. write-caching on disks, remembering that although this markedly improves PTC Integrity Modeler features performance it does so at the expense New features of some extra risk (addressed by using PTC Integrity Modeler 8.2, the current uninterruptable power supplies on the release, implements the rebranding of servers and by introducing effective what used to be Atego Studio as a full automated backup regimes). member of the PTC Integrity suite and The scalability of client/server introduces several improvements: solutions is always a concern, and • Integration with PTC Integrity PTC Integrity Modeler doesn’t support Lifecycle Manager; load-balancing across multiple servers. Simplification of the user interface for However, as well as its native TCP/IP • SysML modelling (see Figure 1); client server architecture it also provides a ‘new’ read-only web interface and • Addition of Variable Parameters to its supports the use of Microsoft Terminal Product Line Engineering capability; Server or Citrix MetaFrame (we’d • Introduction of a web-based Model probably prefer the latter) installations to Viewer; and, support very large numbers of distributed Improved performance. users effectively. • As we’ve said, PTC Integrity Modeler is a tool that can be used right up to and including the most complex enterprise level, with a lot of optional add-in functionality (such as code and document generation), which may require additions to your platform. However, we think that this is all well-documented on its website and in the documentation supplied with the product. One potential issue is the need to install PTC Integrity Modeler with full administration rights and the creation of a separate “Oms User”, under Windows Vista and later. This is required for the Fujitsu Enabler OO database used for PTC Integrity Modeler’s repositories. This Oms User has the local administrator rights needed to create new repositories and owns the list of all users who are allowed to create repositories.

PTC Integrity Modeler architecture The key feature of PTC Integrity Modeler’s client/server architecture is its powerful central repository. We feel that the use Customisation and Ergonomic Profiling Figure 1: of an OO Database for this is good news One of the most important features of A clean and highly usable (in fact, it’s probably one of the main PTC Integrity Modeler is its flexibility: it user interface is essential to applications of such databases) as this can easily be adapted to fit the precise buy-in to systems modelling. model supports the hierarchies inherent needs of a particular domain or project in meta-data repositories particularly work effort. In addition to the easy User well. A repository could be implemented Role based simplification provided using a relational model, but we’d expect in the latest version 8.2, Ergonomic

7 A Bloor InDetail Paper Profiling is the name given (by PTC) to knowledge needed to do this; see the the technology used to support this. It is training tab under services at based on: www.ptc.com/application-lifecycle- • A full implementation of UML 2’s management/integrity/modeler. standard extension mechanisms We were impressed with the ease (stereotypes and tags), using PTC with which the PTC Integrity Modeler Integrity Modeler’s underlying meta-model could be extended, using metadata repository (the Enabler OO stereotypes to add, for example, domain database). specific language (e.g., not using “block” but whatever the German is for “structured A rich automation interface which • element”), while keeping existing gives users of PTC Integrity Modeler associations and structures the same. The the ability to access and manipulate ability to update the meta-model carries the attributes and associations of some risk, so it isn’t switched on by default. every UML model element. A course on using the facility is required • A mechanism for extending PTC before it can be used. Integrity Modeler’s user interface. PTC Integrity Modeler’s (OLE) For example, you can use scripting to automation interface allows PTC Integrity modify virtually every aspect of the Modeler to be extended with a Windows user interface including modelling, “look and feel” with the creation of new model analysis, reporting and script-based and Visual Basic utilities, behavioural simulation. customised document outputs; custom code generation and so on.

Model-based PLM and OVM PTC Integrity Modeler allows you to extend UML and SysML with Variability Modeling (using ISO 26550 compliant Orthogonal Variability Modeling (OVM) if you want to - this is a significant capability and PTC claims that it has one of the few tools that can support this. (see Figure 2).

OMG standards support The OMG UML 2, SysML standards and the UPDM architecture framework are all supported. We are pleased that PTC is supporting standards with PTC Integrity Modeler— lock-in to proprietary nomenclatures was one of the causes of the failure of 1980s CASE tools. On the other hand, one can’t be too religious about standards; for a start, some enterprise- scale developments have very long project cycles and updating standards to Figure 2 PTC Integrity Modeler comes with a new release mid-cycle may not make OVM integrates well standard ergonomic profiles for SysML business sense, so support for deprecated with visual modelling in and UPDM, for example; profiles are also and “anticipated” standards may have to PTC Integrity Modeler how 3rd parties such as KnowGravity continue after a new standard is agreed. and is a key capability. implement their PTC Integrity Modeler Then again, “living” (i.e. useful) standards customisations.However PTC Integrity are always evolving (PTC is actively Modeler users are expected to build involved in this process), so a tool will their own ergonomic profiles, if needed, usually lag behind the latest standards to better support their own precise a bit. Finally, standards should be the needs. PTC actively helps to provide the servant of development, not its master.

© 2015 Bloor 8 So we like what we see as a UML 2 activity diagrams are not the same, pragmatic approach to standards from is that both types of activity diagram can PTC, in which practical customer needs be supported in one model. are taken into account, because the underlying intent is always compliance. Remember that updates to standards can take a couple of years to finalise, but a tool still has to meet its users’ needs in the meantime, so 100% standards compliance can only be aspirational – in a tool that is actually useful in practice. However the latest release of PTC Integrity Modeler (8.2) supports all the UML 2 diagrams except for timing, deployment and component diagrams. PTC sees a growing demand for thees views into the model from its customers but is experimenting with effective ways to provide them, using customer feedback on a prototype built in PTC Integrity Modeler using its ergonomic profiling. Also, as we’ve said, as PTC is actively involved with the UML standards- making process, we think its attitude is very healthy (we’d be much less happy if it was ignoring the process and just providing UML support as a marketing check-box, as some vendors might). PTC also points out that some SysML also helps to address Figure 3 UML diagrams overlap (possibly, we’d requirements management in PTC Rich SysML support say, because UML 2 was, to an extent, Integrity Modeler. A key part of systems is an important feature developed by vendor committee). So, engineering lies in capturing business of PTC Integrity Modeler. instead of supporting both package requirements, frequently expressed diagrams and class diagrams, both of informally and ambiguously, in more-or- which do more-or-less the same thing, in less unstructured text (which must be PTC Integrity Modeler, a package diagram preserved, as it often has a legal status a is a class diagram, by default. A modeller model wouldn’t have); and in converting can simply put a class on a package them into precise and unambiguous diagram, if this clarifies the component (testable) system specifications. PTC interface for something in the package. Integrity Modeler allows users to map PTC Integrity Modeler 8.2 has strong any element of a model to requirements SysML capabilities (see Figure 3). It documented either within the holistic supports all the SysML diagrams but PTC Integrity Modeler model or to only offers limited support for Views requirements managed in external and Viewpoints, which are areas of tools such as PTC Integrity Lifecycle the specification the OMG is currently Manager and IBM Rational DOORS. reviewing. The PTC Integrity Modeler Full bi-directional traceability between SysML profile does already support Views requirements, model items and and Viewpoints, with a View defined as dependants is maintained, which we being a package containing elements think is very important. important for a specific Viewpoint, but Requirements diagramming is often since the elements must also continue thought of as the “missing piece” in UML to belong in their “real” package, using 2 but that this has been addressed in Views and Viewpoints in practice isn’t SysML. So, requirements themselves can entirely straightforward. This will need to be modelled in PTC Integrity Modeler be addressed in the SysML standard itself. using SysML requirements diagramming One important feature, since SysML and even in combination with plain vanilla

A Bloor InDetail Paper UML. Potentially, these requirements Security model models could link to actual test cases PTC Integrity Modeler has a strong and although this is not in PTC Integrity security model based on user access Modeler at present we believe it is on control stored in the resilient PTC the roadmap and that this will be an Integrity Modeler repository. However, important feature when, or if, it arrives. security is implemented at the package PTC Integrity Modeler supports the level, which is a bit higher than we’d like. current version of the Unified Profile for Nevertheless, you can “sandbox” lower DoDAF/MODAF (UPDM), which is a good level changes until you’re sure that they thing, so you can now use the UPDM work, which should help address any profile to model legacy DoDAF and/or issues arising from this. You can also MODAF views. split models and link them, using the Asset Library. This means that security Configuration management and can be sub-systems specific or potentially The recent integration collaborative development unsafe changes to models that are in “with PTC Integrity Asset Configuration management (CM) for use can be isolated until they have Library also provides PTC Integrity Modeler models is built been thoroughly tested (this could also in because, PTC says, Modeler needs to apply, potentially but less commonly, a good solution for provide CM which specifically supports to changes to the meta-model itself). breaking large complex its unique, live database, multi-user This is important because, in the sort of models up into smaller workspace approach. That said, Modeler model-driven environment we envisage linked physical models, also provides the facilities needed to with PTC Integrity Modeler, changes to representing virtual export and import whole modelled or the models can be business-critical in configurable parts of models to store themselves. Systems of Systems them in external CM systems. The recent PTC Integrity Modeler’s internal (SoS) models. integration with PTC Integrity Asset security implementation can take Library also provides a good solution advantage of external Active Directory for breaking large complex models up (AD) installations. Its User Manager into smaller linked physical models, can add and remove users visible in representing virtual Systems of Systems AD and has additional features helping ” (SoS) models. These linked, versioned IT administrators to do their job, e.g. models can then be configuration managing users and groups, transferring managed with the core Modeler facilities permissions, clearing locks etc. or with a separate CM tool. “Change notes” are optionally used to implement a basic change tracking workflow, which is useful. PTC Integrity Modeler supports distributed, collaborative working with links to CM and improved usability through refinements to its Component Sharing Wizard (either one or multiple packages can be selected for sharing) or through its SoS modelling integration with PTC Integrity Asset Library. A conflict resolution engine also supports model- driven parallel development using private sandboxes. Change impact analysis is supported.

© 2015 Bloor 10 Enabler OODBMS and repositories (a “meta generator” approach). We think that Instead of re-inventing the wheel and this could address many of the concerns building its own repository technology, we usually have with developers modifying PTC sources an established OODBMS the generated code, in model-driven (Object-Oriented Database Management development environments. System) for the PTC Integrity Modeler A meta-generator, the TDK (PTC Repository: Enabler, originally from Template Development Kit), facilitates Softlab (a BMW subsidiary) and now the conversion of models into different acquired by Fujitsu. Given that the physical (code) implementations. The design of resilient and scalable DBMSs latest version of PTC Integrity Modeler is a specialist art, we think that was a supports generation of VxWorks/Win32 good move. PTC now have a full source code so that you can manage simulation, code license for Enabler so PTC Integrity animation and control of a target Modeler no longer dependent on Fujitsu’s application from PTC Integrity Modeler upgrade/maintenance schedules. and debug state diagrams at the model Instead of re-inventing Enabler is specialised for repository level on both host and target platforms. the wheel and building“ use (it was also used as the repository its own repository for the Visible Analyst tool) and is Testing generally well thought of. It’s a LAN- An important principle in systems technology, PTC based object repository that can run development is that all user requirements sources an established on either Windows or UNIX. Enabler must be testable – if not, then how can you OODBMS (Object- has a 3-layer architecture for repository decide whether they have been satisfied Oriented Database services, integration services, and user or not? A requirement for a “fast response”, Management System) access. Fundamental to the repository for example, is impossible to test, as it services layer is the Object Management stands; as it leads to endless arguments for the PTC Integrity System (OMS), which controls all over what “fast” means – leading to both Modeler Repository: operations on Enabler datastores and user and developer dissatisfaction. A Enabler, originally coordinates Enabler datastore processes requirement that “90% of end-to-end from Softlab (a BMW and communications. One of the chief user response times should be within 2 subsidiary) and now functions of the OMS is datastore seconds of request submission” is testable – administration, which is why PTC Integrity although specifying a response distribution acquired by Fujitsu. Modeler installation creates an OMS User. would be better. So, support for testing is an important feature of any systems Code generation development tool. 100% code generation from PTC Integrity Although PTC Integrity Modeler does Modeler models is possible but seems not officially come with the UML 2 Testing ” to be rather rare in practice – most Profile (U2TP) – a PTC field built profile developers really, really want to edit the is available – the U2TP re-uses the fact generated code. PTC Integrity Modeler that the UML views for classes (e.g. class currently supports synchronisation diagram) and interactions (e.g. sequence between model and code for C, C++, C#, diagram) are appropriate for modelling Ada, SPARK Ada and Java. Code can be tests. This means that it isn’t too hard for generated from class and state diagrams a skilled user of PTC Integrity Modeler to (it is possible to modify the generators create a U2TP for themselves, which then to generate from activity diagrams adds the vocabulary used by testers to the too, another example of PTC Integrity world of modelling. PTC Integrity Modeler Modeler’s flexibility, but this is not a can already express test cases, as these are default functionality). part of the SysML standard and are included However, instead of old-fashioned in the SysML requirements sub-profile. So, on-demand synchronisation between users can express test cases as a kind of model and code (with model and code test management feature in SysML, and use out of exact synchronisation for much UML/SysML views to model them. Links of the time), PTC favours automatic code to test generation and/or test automation synchronisation with a non-procedural tools, however, have to be made on a project approach using generator model templates basis.

11 A Bloor InDetail Paper It is also worth noting that at the • It supports ISO 26550 compliant Model-based Systems Engineering level of Orthogonal Variability Modeling testing the needs are slightly different. In (OVM), which lets you extend SysML response to these contracting needs, PTC and UML for model-based Product have provided a budget reporting tool to Line Management; aid trade study analysis and a powerful • Its vision is of large and often simulation and co-simulation tool called geographically-dispersed teams PTC Integrity Modeler SySim. SySim of analysts, systems engineers and enables systems engineers to graphically software engineers working as one; mock up systems very early in the product • It covers the entire gamut from lifecycle and simulate them using any systems engineering through code mix of the the SysML state models, SysML generation; parametrics and action language coded It is based around a central, shared, logic, plus live integration with Mathworks • metadata repository, discouraging PTC Integrity Modeler Simulink and PTC Mathcad. “siloisation” of business automation; “seems to be well It is based on a robust internal meta- supported – we were Future Roadmap • Future releases of PTC Integrity Modeler model, which encourages controlled impressed both by the (probably, the next release, 8.3, due in customisation and extension; general knowledge 2016) will deliver: • It has an impressive user base and of its consultants and • OSLC-based integration with PTC excellent provenance. their familiarity with Windchill for PLM (Product Line • It benefits from being part of PTC, the product. Engineering); which is a big multinational with • Compliance with the latest versions massive support capabilities (500 of the OMG UML & SysML standards; people on support in China alone) and with local language support. • Code generations for PTC’s recently acquired ThingWorx IoT development Probably, few of these are unique in ” environment; themselves; but in overall combination, they help PTC Integrity Modeler to stand Differentiators out from the crowd. Any tool this sophisticated can hardly fail to be different from other tools in Product support its space in its details. However, what PTC Integrity Modeler seems to be well fundamentally distinguishes PTC Integrity supported – we were impressed both by Modeler at the high level is: the general knowledge of its consultants • It’s a holistic suite of tools, not a and their familiarity with the product. suite bolted together from disparate In general, PTC seems to favour on-line products. It is fully integrated with support via an interactive forum (the PTC PTC Integrity Lifecycle Manager and Support Page is at: https://support.ptc.com supports modular design collaboration login required for full access) which offers: on Systems of Systems (using reusable • Access to an active knowledge-base assets PTC Integrity Asset Library); • Online help • It comes from an independent Access to product documentation. Product Engineering tool specialist, • Access to software updates, patches not a generalist with an interest • and upgrades. in selling general software and hardware; We think that this approach is a good one • It is firmly standards-based and these days and are particularly pleased that supports the latest SysML and UPDM a feedback facility for suggestions is offered. standards as well as UML 2; its parent A powerful and sophisticated tool like PTC company is actively concerned in Integrity Modeler needs to be part of a real building these standards with the partnership between vendor and user, if OMG (so standards support is not the potential complexity and diversity of merely a marketing check-box); development is to be managed effectively.

© 2015 Bloor 12 We were also pleased to note that It empowers teams to manage DOORS many online tutorials and formal training product and system requirements, IBM's DOORS is one of the most widely courses are available from PTC. There’s enable closed-loop product validation used textual requirements management a SysML tutorial, for example; training and accelerate global software tools and PTC supports 2-way integration courses for the PTC Integrity Modeler development. of DOORS with PTC Integrity Modeler, Automation (OLE) Interface; and training • PTC Integrity Process Director, a as well as its own requirements courses on Configuring the Automated “process director” for establishing, management tool, PTC Integrity Lifecycle Code Synchronizer measuring, managing & improving Manager (previously MKS Integrity). This your organizations operational, is an important aspect of making PTC Potential issues engineering and development Integrity Modeler part of a organization's PTC Integrity Modeller does not, as yet, processes; which includes reusable development environment, whether support automated testing – nor does it industry best practices. you buy your tools from PTC or a mix of have specific integrations with external • PTC Integrity Asset Library, a tool vendors. Of course, this integration tools for the automation of testing. standards-based (using the OMG’s will also help IBM customers with large This is a pity as requirements must be Reusable Asset Specification) web- investments in DOORS migrate towards testable, and can be defined in terms of access repository for easy publication, PTC’s tools, if there are good business test cases; and the model represents the management and reuse of design reasons to do so, as the PTC Integrity high-level requirements for the system assets/components. The use of OSLC suite has its own well-established being developed. for integration with PTC Integrity requirements management tools. In the same way that generating code Asset Library, something Bloor from the model keeps the code in-synch particularly welcomes, came in with KnowGravity with the model and therefore with the PTC Asset Library 2.0. There is a particularly interesting version business, generating test cases or test of PTC Integrity Modeler which has been PTC Integrity Requirements Connector, case frameworks from the model and • customized (using PTC Integrity Modeler’s a highly scalable interchange running them automatically ensures that ergonomic profiling) by KnowGravity, a technology focused on distributing what is tested for really correspond to Swiss business and software engineering requirements, and propagating what business wants. PTC tells us that company, to support business process updates to requirements, between the the integration of PTC Integrity Modeller modelling with BPMN. distributed stakeholders, both inside with PTC Integrity Lifecycle Manager This implements what KnowGravity and outside of an organisation. fulfils this requirement. calls Model Driven Enterprise PTC is also building integrations from its Engineering (MDEE). This firmly extends Supporting products Integrity tools to its PTC Windchill PLM PTC Integrity Modeler into the area of PTC offers a complete Systems (Product Line Engineering) tool; as well as general business, giving both business Engineering solution, see the Resource to PTC Creo (this is a scalable, interoperable and IT practitioners the ability to describe Page at www.ptc.com/systems-engineering. suite of product design software using 2D large-scale and complicated business PTC Integrity Modeler is a fully CAD, 3D CAD, parametric & direct modeling functions in a structured way. integrated part of the PTC Integrity product techniques); and its ThingWorx IoT Platform. family of systems and software engineering Simulink solutions (the Integrity name comes from Key integrations Simulink, from Mathworks, is a widely PTC’s acquisition of MKS, which had tools with third party tools respected multi-domain simulation and that complemented those from Atego). It model-based design environment, which Citrix is part of the Software Engineering tool- targets dynamic and embedded systems. Originally, PTC used Citrix to provide an set, alongside Electrical and Mechanical 2-way integration with PTC Integrity effective desktop application delivery Engineering tools. PTC builds Systems of Modeler, for parametric diagrams and platform over the WAN, with good Systems and recognises that some sub- requirements, allows an PTC Integrity scalability and security facilities (it is systems may be mechanical, or electrical, Modeler model to be further developed roughly equivalent to Microsoft’s Terminal or hybrid (a mechanical or electrical and implemented for many time-varying Server, which is also supported by PTC framework, with specialised behaviours systems, including communications, Integrity Modeler, in basic functionality). implemented in software). controls, signal processing, video We are pleased to see formal support for Other Software Engineering tools in processing, and image processing. the Citrix platform (and terminal server) the product family are: in PTC Integrity Modeler, but this is less • PTC Integrity Lifecycle Manager important with the current version of PTC connects systems and software Integrity Modeler, because the product's artefacts, including requirements, own WAN functionality and performance models, code and tests to ensure have been improved. comprehensive life-cycle traceability.

13 A Bloor InDetail Paper Customer story

Use Case: Transport, improvement software implementers. Alstom Transport of the quality of an overall systems could then take the further step of code engineering process, while reducing generation – modelling without code project design time and costs. generation (or model execution) is risky, Actor: Alstom Transport, which because the model risks getting out of develops and markets management synch with the operational systems – so software and “turnkey” solutions for we hope Alstom Transport is thinking transport systems. about the possibility of code generation where it is appropriate. Scope: An entire transport system, including rolling stock, signalling, Alstom Transport measured: and infrastructure. • Improved design quality with better After comprehensive tool Level: Summary coherency and consistency; “evaluation PTC Integrity The challenge was to Reduction in development risks Body: • Modeler was chosen for find a SysML tools supplier with thanks to rigorous traceability its ability to significantly comprehensive support for the OMG between requirements SysML standard: implementation, verification, and improve the quality and validation; consistency of Alstom’s • Conformance with the SysML standard; • Increased productivity with better development activities, reuse of existing models, reducing Ease of integration and extensibility; and to reduce the effort • errors and design time; Support for collaborative design; required, throughout • • Improved communication between the design life-cycle, • Support for management product development teams and stakeholders; lines; according to Marco Enhanced knowledge exchange, with High quality tool support. • Ferrogalini, Chief System • the capture of, and easy access to, Engineer in the Rolling After comprehensive tool evaluation standard architecture choices and PTC Integrity Modeler was chosen for its justifications. Stock and Components ability to significantly improve the quality The next stage is to integrate Alstom Product Lines at Alstom and consistency of Alstom’s development Transport’s SysML models with the Transport. activities, and to reduce the effort wider systems engineering product required, throughout the design life-cycle, development life-cycle: such as software according to Marco Ferrogalini, Chief development and mechanical design. It System Engineer in the Rolling Stock also intends to share its models with and Components Product Lines at Alstom suppliers and partners. ” Transport. Finally Alstom Transport plans to The new environment catalysed extend its “good practice” use of the PTC improvements in collaborative working, for Integrity Modeler variability modelling and dispersed teams in different countries, with product line engineering capabilities to the use of a common language (SysML) future projects, thus enabling further reuse and shared models, without risk of asset and consequent savings in design, and duplication. It also ensured compliance trade studies. with the standards and supported OVM (Variability Modeling) in a single integrated tool-set Alstom Transport used PTC Integrity Modeler to help it implement “model-based product line engineering”, which means that it could model product lines and product families; make decisions on the variable options; and then generate product instance models. At Bloor Research, we'd think that these models could, potentially, be validated using simulation and trade study analysis; and used as design requirements for systems or

© 2015 Bloor 14 The vendor Vendor background Competitors PTC, Inc. is a publicly-quoted (Nasdaq: PTC) PTC considers that its main competitors in U.S. computer software company specialising the model-driven systems engineering space in design visualisation, product life-cycle are IBM, of course; SPARX; and NoMagic. management, and service management That seems an appropriate set, to software. It began in the world of 2D and 3D us, but we would mention that there are CAD but judicious acquisitions have taken emerging, and effective, model-driven it into PLM and software development. It is software engineering tools (such as building considerable capabilities in building OutSystems Platform, perhaps) that could solutions for the Internet of Things. be seen as competition, by less mature It was founded in 1985 and launched customers, for software-only developments Pro/ENGINEER (parametric, associative without a systems-enginerering focus. feature-based, solid modelling software) in We doubt that PTC ever meets these PTC is a global 1988 (“PTC” originally stood for Parametric tools today, for cultural reasons quite company with offices“ Technology Corporation; now it is just PTC); apart from anything else, and they aren’t in some 28 countries John Deere was its first customer. It IPO’d really competitors for now, but perhaps in 1989 and was added to the S&P 500 in they might start nibbling away at PTC’s world-wide, including 1997. Amongst many other acquisitions, customer-base from below. Australia, Brazil, France, it acquired MKS and its Software System This might even be a good thing for Germany, the Peoples Lifecycle Management (SSLM) solution in PTC, however, as low-ceremony, accessible, Republic of China, and 2011 and ThingWorx, “the first platform model driven development introduces the the UK. It claims to designed to efficiently build and run the modelling concept to potential customers applications of today’s connected world” (i.e. – who might then move up into systems have some 28,000 the Internet of Things or IoT) in 2014. engineering more easily. customers worldwide. PTC solutions now encompass Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Business Partners Process Management, where its Windchill Partner Program software is a market leader; Computer PTC has a strong AdvantageNetwork Aided Design (CAD); Application Lifecycle partner program. Its 750-plus partners ” Management (ALM) and software delivery, are intended to help its customers to with its acquisitions of MKS and, recently, get the best out of its tools, by providing Atego; Supply Chain Management (SCM); them with independent advice. These and Service Lifecycle Management (SLM). partners are leaders in their fields and an PTC is a global company with offices in important aspect of the Partner Program is some 28 countries world-wide, including the unbiased feedback it can give PTC on Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, the the real-world complexity of its customers’ Peoples Republic of China, and the UK. It requirements. claims to have some 28,000 customers There are three programs in the worldwide. Its current CEO is Jim PTC AdvantageNetwork: Channel Heppelmann. Advantage, PartnerAdvantage (with both Software and Hardware partners) Customers and ServicesAdvantage. It has a secure PTC tends to deal with large multinational Partner & Reseller web Portal at http:// customers, with an engineering focus, support.ptc.com/partners/membercenter. who deal with the company because it htm. It also has a PTC University is well established and espouses mature Authorized Training Partner Program. engineering practices, in the context of a smart, connected, world – it has Examples of PTC partners include: demonstrable capabilities in the IoT world. KnowGravity, developers of Model Typical customers for PTC Integrity • Driven Enterprise Engineering (MDEE) Modeler, for example, include: BAE Systems; as a holistic and systematic approach QinetiQ; SAFRAN; Alstom Transport; to develop and run agile enterprises; Duetsche Bahn; BMW; CIRA; Rolls-Royce; Jaguar Land Rover; PSA Puegeot; Lockheed • MathWorks, a leading developer of Martin; and Northrup Grumman. technical computing software for

15 A Bloor InDetail Paper engineers and scientists in industry, Core technology partners government, and education; Fujitsu and Microsoft are core technology • Objektum Solutions, a professional partners for PTC, as their technologies are software company specialising in used to build PTC Integrity Modeler. PTC training, consulting and bespoke Integrity Modeler’s repository, in particular, software solutions for the military is built on Fujitsu’s Enabler OO database. and aerospace industries; Financial information Wind River, now a wholly owned • PTC believes that its financial security is subsidiary of Intel, and a global leader based on building intelligent connected in Device Software Optimization products for the IoT. McKinsey, for (DSO). example, claims the Internet of Things will create $2.7 trillion to $6.2 trillion of Standards partners economic value overall and $0.9 trillion We consider PTC's We consider PTC’s contribution to the to $2.3 trillion of economic value in the “contribution to the standards-making process to be an manufacturing industry by 2025. standards-making important part of its story: it underlines its PTC's current stock prices etc. can be commitment to tool interoperability and found on the Internet at: http://investor. process to be an the adoption of good practice generally. ptc.com/ important part of its It sees innovation around “capabilities” story: it underlines its – effectiveness – rather than just around Current Issues commitment to tool “functionality” that can be defined by a PTC’s main current issue is probably interoperability and standard. the maturity and education of potential Its key standards partners are INCOSE customers, outside of its current comfort- the adoption of good and the OMG, where it takes leadership zone, which it will need in order to practice generally. roles: expand. Not everyone in its potential It is on the OMG Board of Directors. marketplace likes the idea of model-driven • development; nor are they all mature It is co-chair of the OMG’s MARTE • enough to appreciate the capabilities (Modelling and Analysis of Real-Time of systems and software engineering. and Embedded systems) profile and We would recommend that product ” also the UPDM (Unified Profile for simplification could help with this issue. DoDAF and MODAF) initiative. • It is a founder member of the OMG’s UML & SysML submission teams. • It is a participant in the OMG’s MDA, UPMS (SOA), SoC, Test and other initiatives. • It works with the INCOSE MBSE Focus Group. • It is a member of the OASIS OSLC Core committee.

Educational partners PTC makes its tools available at no cost to accredited educational institutions (usually for up to 20 concurrent users on a local area network) with a nominal annual charge for support. PTC maintains a University Program, in which it provides a tool cost-free, in exchange for feedback on its operation or defects when requested.

TC Integrity Modeler is, in effect, • Automatic code synchronisation using a modern refactoring of the a new non-procedural approach with P CASE (Computer Aided Software generator model templates (a “meta Engineering) tools of the last century. It generator” approach); is suited to large-scale, mission-critical, • Support for test case generation globally distributed projects developing and management through its SysML highly complex “Systems of Systems”. facilities; PTC Integrity Modeler differs from It is part of PTC, a big multinational many last-century tools in being able to • with massive support capabilities. take advantage of the power available in modern desktop environments and in PTC Integrity Modeler doesn’t condemn being firmly standards-based. PTC itself you to working in a single-vendor silo. takes a lead in developing standards, with It maintains integrations with third party the OMG for example. tools such as the Citrix application delivery PTC Integrity Modeler’s capabilities platform; Microsoft’s Terminal Server; IBM include: DOORS for requirements management; • It is based around a central, robust, KnowGravity, for Model Driven Enterprise object-oriented repository; Engineering (business process modelling); Simulink from Mathworks for multi-domain Good support for the UML 2, SysML • simulation and Model-Based Design and UPDM OMG standards, without This tool has a strong provenance and forcing users to upgrade to the latest an impressive user base. standards for their own sake (SysML, Given that PTC Integrity Modeler for example, adds requirements seems to be an effective and scalable modelling to the UML toolkit); systems and software engineering tool, • Good support for modular design is there a particular reason to buy or collaboration on Systems of Systems, consider it? Well, if you can’t manage your through its full integration with PTC development process at the moment, PTC Integrity Asset Library; Integrity Modeler isn’t any kind of silver • Good support for ISO 26550 bullet. We think you will need to address compliant Orthogonal Variability any issues with your processes and their Modeling (OVM), for model-based management first, before deploying any Product Line Management; new tool. Nevertheless, if you are actively • Extensive support for customisation trying to develop “Systems of Systems” to the needs of specific organisations and trying to align your organisation’s and environments (which PTC refers technology with its business objectives and to as ergonomic profiling); goals, PTC Integrity Modeler provides an excellent solution that should be on your Built-in support for configuration • consideration short-list. management as well as integrations with external configuration management tools and support for change impact analysis; a robust security model;

FURTHER INFORMATION Further information is available from www.BloorResearch.com/update/1043

17 A Bloor InDetail Paper About the author DAVID NORFOLK Practice Leader / Development and Governance

avid Norfolk first became His early career involved working interested in computers and in database administration (DBA) and D programming quality in the operations research for the Australian 1970s, working in the Research School Public Service in Canberra. David then of Chemistry at the Australian National returned to his UK birthplace (1982) University. Here he discovered that where he worked for Bank of America computers could deliver misleading and Swiss Bank Corporation, at various answers, even when programmed by very times holding positions in DBA, systems clever people, and was taught to program development method and standards, in FORTRAN. His ongoing interest in internal control, network management, all things related to development has technology risk and even PC support. He culminated in his joining Bloor in 2007 was instrumental in introducing a formal and taking on the development brief. systems development process for the Development here refers especially Bank of America Global Banking product to automated systems development. This in Croydon. covers technology including acronym- In 1992 he started a new career driven tools such as: Application as a professional writer and analyst. Lifecycle Management (ALM), Integrated Since then he has written for many Development Environments (IDE), Model major computer magazines and various Driven Architecture (MDA), automated specialist titles around the world. He data analysis tools and metadata helped plan, document and photograph repositories, requirements modelling the CMMI Made Practical conference tools and so on. It also covers the at the IoD, London in 2005 and has processes behind them and the people written many industry white papers and issues associated with implementing research reports including: IT Governance them. Of particular interest is (for Thorogood), Online Banking (for organisational maturity as a prerequisite FT Business Reports), Developing a for implementing effective (measured) Network Computing Strategy and process and ITIL (v3) as a framework for Corporate Desktop Services (for Business automated service delivery. Intelligence), the Business Implications David is a past co-editor (and co- of Adopting Object Technology (for Elan owner) of Application Development Advisor Publishing). and associate editor for the launch He has his own company, David of Register Developer, and is currently Rhys Enterprises Ltd, which he runs from executive editor for GEE’s “IT Policies and his home in Chippenham, where his Procedures” product. He has an honours spare moments (if any) are spent on degree in Chemistry and is a Chartered IT photography, sailing and listening to Professional, has a somewhat rusty NetWare music. 5 CNE certification and is a full Member of the British Computer Society (where he is on the committee of the Configuration Management Specialist Group).

© 2015 Bloor 18 Bloor overview Bloor Research is one of Europe’s leading Founded in 1989, we have spent 25 IT research, analysis and consultancy years distributing research and analysis organisations, and in 2014 celebrated its to IT user and vendor organisations 25th anniversary. We explain how to bring throughout the world via online greater Agility to corporate IT systems subscriptions, tailored research services, through the effective governance, events and consultancy projects. We are management and leverage of Information. committed to turning our knowledge into We have built a reputation for ‘telling the business value for you. right story’ with independent, intelligent, well-articulated communications content and publications on all aspects of the ICT industry. We believe the objective of telling the right story is to: • Describe the technology in context to its business value and the other systems and processes it interacts with. • Understand how new and innovative technologies fit in with existing ICT investments. • Look at the whole market and explain all the solutions available and how they can be more effectively evaluated. • Filter ‘noise’ and make it easier to find the additional information or news that supports both investment and implementation. • Ensure all our content is available through the most appropriate channel.

19 A Bloor InDetail Paper Copyright and disclaimer This document is copyright © 2015 Bloor. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any method whatsoever without the prior consent of Bloor Research. Due to the nature of this material, numerous hardware and software products have been mentioned by name. In the majority, if not all, of the cases, these product names are claimed as trademarks by the companies that manufacture the products. It is not Bloor Research’s intent to claim these names or trademarks as our own. Likewise, company logos, graphics or screen shots have been reproduced with the consent of the owner and are subject to that owner’s copyright. Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of this document to ensure that the information is correct, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions.

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