Software engineering

Pedigree

Altran Praxis provides high quality software solutions for embedded and critical systems. Praxis projects cover a wide range of demands, from high-end complex software architectures, to safety- and security-critical components, certification and processes.

Our engineers have brought a wide range of expertise to bear on these complex projects. This expertise covers technologies, processes, innovation, and certification – including to new standards. Praxis has, and will continue developing, a world-class capability in all aspects of critical and complex software engineering.

Focus

Ultra low defect software. For example, for applications that are safety or security-critical, often deploying our world-class expertise in Formal Computing.
Software applications in highly constrained technical environments. For example, very hard real-time performance constraints or limited memory.
Software applications in highly regulated environments, where certification and standards compliance are key.
Complex and novel problems such as highly algorithmic systems, bespoke Human Machine Interface solutions or complex software integration or software architectures.
Playing our part in the software engineering community by moving industrial knowledge and practice forward through participation in conferences and generation of whitepapers.

Approach

Praxis strives to ensure that all our software engineering is underpinned by theory, rigorous analysis and sound techniques. Our projects are supported by tools and methods that combine industry best practice and academic research with our own experiences.

We make use of the most appropriate tools and techniques to manage lifecycle risks. We take the full project context into account. For example we plan from day one to accommodate unforeseen future change, to mitigate risks and to accommodate maintenance needs. At each stage of the engineering process we apply Lean Systems Thinking - verifying that we are building the correct product, with all the required functionality, yet not over-engineering. This approach being exemplified by our Correctness by Construction approach which has been recognised internationally for the generation of low defect software.

Example Software Engineering projects

Development of the 00-55 SIL 4 SHOLIS helicopter landing system for use on naval vessels; the first Def Stan 00-55 SIL4 certified defence system.
Development of a cross-car line, high-end, multimedia system for a luxury automotive manufacturer – now over three million units in existence.
Development of iFACTS - the next generation of tools to support air traffic controllers in the UK. iFACTS will be "the biggest change in air traffic management since the introduction of radar".
Development of advanced security system for Mondex International in support of their financial applications.
Development of mobile phone navigation systems for several European operators.
Development of software architecture for advanced railway signalling system.

Why Altran Praxis for Software Engineering?

Proven delivery capability for complex and/or novel projects with project teams ranging from just two or three engineers, right up to 100 plus engineers.
Mature and well-developed processes, tools, and techniques leading to ultra-low defect software.
Experience of standards and certification across sectors and industry and a trusted reputation with regulatory bodies.
Experience of projects involving multiple technologies, diverse supply chains, and ultimately global consumers.
Highly qualified and experienced engineers with professional affiliations.

Case reference

Underwater Acoustic Defence System

Challenge

A major provider of naval electronic warfare systems recognised that the successful delivery of an Underwater Acoustic Defence System was heavily dependent upon the successful completion of the safety -critical software in the stores control unit. Recognising that this was an area in which they had insufficient capability, Praxis was contracted to manage and develop the stores control software.

Engagement and approach

Praxis provided an on-site capability consisting of a Software Manager experienced in the development of safety critical military warfare applications, supported by an experienced software team. Praxis worked with the client to deploy a team of engineers, integrated on-site with the client’s engineers. Praxis staff were able to take a range of leadership roles as well as technical roles to both deliver the client’s system, and provide coaching and mentoring to the client’s staff in some of the novel development technologies being deployed.

The Praxis team planned, managed and delivered the SIL 3 software. The software was developed in SPARK, following Defence Standard 00-55.

The system was one of the first that needed to be developed to JSP 420, which demands the production of a safety case to be approved by the UK Ministry of Defence. Praxis, having worked with safety critical systems for many years, provided a Safety Manager, who worked closely with the customer and the Ministry to develop the safety case.

Outcome

The software system was delivered on-time together with an innovative product-led safety argument that significantly reduced the cost of the safety activities and ensured the successful certification of the software.

Back to Services

Capabilities

Outsourced project delivery

Complete turn-key development capability. Working in Praxis’ offices or on client site, distributed or co-located.

Embedded project delivery

Working with clients in their offices, often in mixed teams, to help deliver a specific project or phase of project.

Work package offload

Handling specific work packages within a client project – for example independent verification and validation or static analysis – to specified procedures and methodologies.

Long term support, legacy support and maintenance

Providing change or maintenance to an existing product – sometimes initially developed by a third party - using a cost-effective blend of legacy procedures and new approaches.

Rescue and recovery

Assessing projects that are failing to deliver, or have experienced significant change since inception, to create a forward engineering strategy for project recovery and successful delivery.

Consultancy

Providing advice and support to clients on engineering process, technical strategy, risk reduction, or any other lifecycle element.

Praxis India

A managed, full lifecycle capability providing multi-time zone offshore delivery.

Training

The provision of training courses and mentoring in many of the tools and methods that we use.

Altran Group

Multi-national CMMI Appraised