11th January - Valencia.
"Platform engineering emerged in response to the increasing complexity of modern software architectures. Today, non-expert end users are often asked to operate an assembly of complicated arcane services," says Paul Delory, VP Analyst at Gartner. This emerging technology approach holds great promise in the realm of embedded software development. It can significantly accelerate the delivery of applications and enhance the speed at which they generate business value. In this article, we will explore how platform engineering, in line with its principles, aligns with and benefits the world of embedded software development.
Key Elements of Platform Engineering
Platform engineering, in the context of embedded software development, focuses on creating a stable and flexible foundation for a wide range of embedded systems. It incorporates the following essential elements:
Platform Engineering in Action
To illustrate how platform engineering is applied in embedded software development, consider the automotive industry. Modern vehicles are equipped with various embedded systems, such as engine control units (ECUs) and infotainment systems. Platform engineers create a standardized software stack that includes communication protocols, driver interfaces, and middleware for hardware components like sensors and actuators. This software stack supports real-time processing for safety-critical functions and connectivity for features like remote diagnostics and software updates.
Benefits of Platform Engineering
The adoption of platform engineering in embedded software development brings several benefits:
Challenges in Platform Engineering
Platform engineering in embedded software development is not without its challenges:
Conclusion
Platform engineering is a foundational practice in embedded software development, providing the groundwork for faster development, improved reliability, and enhanced scalability. As embedded systems continue to proliferate across industries, platform engineering will remain pivotal in shaping the future of connected devices. It serves as the driving force behind innovation, ensuring that embedded systems meet the demands of an ever-evolving digital landscape. According to Gartner, by 2026, 80% of large software engineering organizations will establish platform engineering teams as internal providers of reusable services, components, and tools for application delivery. Platform engineering, with its emphasis on optimizing developer experiences and accelerating application delivery, will play a central role in solving the cooperation challenges between software developers and operators. New roles and hiring strategies will be needed which requires partnership with experts who know the market and new innovative engineering skills. Skilled Engineers in the field are a scarce commodity and it requires specialised knowledge on a global basis of where to find high calibre engineers that can optimise innovations to the next level. CIS is one such provider with over 20 years’ experience in seeking the right level of engineer for specialised projects and teams. Make sure your next project is covered, contact CIS on info@cis-ee.com or +34 963 943 500.