Cheltenham, UK — September 13, 2004 — ARTiSAN Software Tools, a global leader for UML-based, real-time systems and software modeling tools, announces the release of Real-time Studio 5.0.

In harmony with the finalization of the UML 2.0 superstructure specification, major enhancements to Real-time Studio (RtS) are associated with UML 2.0 and SysML, and represent a further strengthening of RtS for large-scale mission-critical systems/software engineering.

"Because of ARTiSAN’s existing modeling extensions, UML 2.0 represents an evolution rather than revolution for many of our customers," stated Jeremy Goulding, President and CEO of ARTiSAN. "It validates what we've been able to do for many years, such as modeling hardware, drawing context diagrams, and showing logic in sequence diagrams. We recognize the importance and value of standards and in Real-time Studio 5.0 we not only comply with the latest version of UML, but stretch our capabilities to continue to meet the needs of software engineers, and of a very large proportion of systems engineers too."

UML 2.0 has a strong focus on architectural modeling. Key features of RtS 5.0 include the addition of a UML 2.0 composite structure diagram for architecting large systems, enabling recursive decomposition of complex systems. The new structure diagram, and the associated component/port/connector paradigm, addresses a number of limitations of UML 1.4, including the ability to define re-usable components and their interfaces. Provided and required interfaces play an important role in UML 2.0 and users of RtS 5.0 will be able to visualize interfaces using the UML 2.0 ball-and-socket notation.

With a particular strength in sequence diagramming, RtS has led the pack in its advocacy of a need to express conditional, iterative and parallel logic. This has now been standardized in UML 2.0 and RtS 5.0 has been updated to align with the new standard notation and the use of frames. RtS 5.0 enables the recursive decomposition of interactions, including splitting complex interactions across several diagrams, and allowing UML 2.0 ports and parts to be added on sequence diagrams. Activity diagrams have also been updated to support pins on action nodes, and nested swimlanes.

As stated by Alan Moore, ARTiSAN's VP of Product Strategy, "Recursive decomposition of structure and behavior is an important aspect of UML 2.0. These features are particularly useful for the automotive, aerospace and defense communities, enabling them to model complex systems-of-systems and build reusable components."

System engineering has traditionally been an area of strength for RtS and Moore is a key member of the SysML consortium, a cross-discipline organization defining an extension to UML 2.0 for system engineering, due for adoption by the both OMG and INCOSE. "SysML will become the standard modeling language for system engineers" stated Moore, "the SysML consortium has been working closely with system engineers to ensure that UML, as extended, can also meet their needs. Our development focus at ARTiSAN is on not only meeting but exceeding those needs." Sanford Friedenthal, SysML Cochair and Deputy of Corporate Systems Engineering at Lockheed Martin, commented, "ARTiSAN has been a significant contributor to the development of the SysML extension of UML 2. I look forward to their early implementation of SysML modeling tools along with other vendor implementations to further enable model based approaches for systems engineering."

RtS 5.0 will include specific features in support of SysML, including support for the SysML profile. It also supports the specification of deep-nested structure on the structure diagram (i.e. deep-nested connectors and structured parts/ports). SysML flows can be attached to connectors on the structure diagram, and shown on class diagrams. For the first time, system engineers will be able to use UML 2.0 to express flows on a context diagram, which is especially appealing to those with a background in structured techniques (e.g. Yourdon and Ward/Mellor).

In addition to UML 2.0 and SysML, Real-time studio 5.0 will raise the bar in diagram customization, enabling users to control symbols and styles. Users will be able to set the color, font and symbol shape for a style in the model editor. They can add clarity to diagrams delivered to customers by, for example, turning stick men into planes, trains and automobiles. This is particularly useful for creating customizable documentation, and addressing standards such as DoDAF/MoDAF (for C4ISR). This technology can also help provide alternative notations in UML profiles for specialized languages, such as AADL and EFFBDs.

Improvements to its multi-user capabilities solidify RtS' position as the de facto tool for managing large-scale, multi-user projects. Indeed, many of ARTiSAN's customers have in excess of 100 engineers concurrently accessing the same model. With in-process activation of VB scripts, add-ins can be integrated seamlessly, positioning RtS at the center of a suite of customizable tools. Its mature VB API has already seen strong integration with specific technologies such as the Praxis Spark Examiner. Its code generation templates can be easily customized to target languages and company standards and has proved invaluable to Artisan's large customer base in safety-related / high integrity systems.

About ARTiSAN Software Tools

ARTiSAN Software Tools provides electronic product development teams with the "fastest path to the right product." The company offers products, services and a process for systems and software modeling to accelerate the development of next-generation real-time systems while ensuring that they meet requirements. ARTiSAN enables engineering teams to visualize, design and validate systems before building them, and simplifies implementation with code generation and software reuse. ARTiSAN is a practical partner offering easy-to-adopt, down-to-earth solutions.

ARTiSAN Software Tools, Inc., founded in March 1997, is privately held with headquarters in Cheltenham, United Kingdom. The company has regional sales offices and distributors throughout the world. For more information, call +44 (0)1242 229300 internationally, or 1(888)511-7975 from the US; or visit www.artisansw.com

ARTiSAN and Real-time Studio are trademarks or registered trademarks of Artisan Software Tools Ltd. All other trademarks are the property of their respective companies.

Press Contacts:

ARTiSAN Software Tools Inc. – Richard Gastwirt 781/772-1702 richard.gastwirt@artisansw.com

Product Info  Downloads  UML Center  Company Info  Contact Us
News  Events  Partners  Career  Training  Support  Site Map  Home

Copyright © 1998-2002. ARTiSAN Software Tools, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
+1 503 296 2281 (US)     +44 (0)1242 229300 (UK)