Quality assurance & testing

Implementing agile principles for developing embedded software remains a challenge. This 30-page booklet summarises the experience of bbv Software Services with hardware-related development of software, in particular, and provides embedded developers with ideas and tips for their “agile everyday”.

An analysis device was to be developed swiftly for the HPV virus in order to diagnose cervical cancer at an early stage. Thanks to agile software development and test-driven development, bbv was able to fulfil the ambitious goal and deliver high-quality software. The C# development relied on the existing customer framework for the solution.

The best method for making the fewest possible errors in developing software is to write clean program source code or clean code. The clearly laid out and densely packed two-page cheat sheet offers developers numerous tips, lists, tricks, do’s and don’ts as well as practical instructions so that their code stays as clean as possible.

Many long-term projects (also in the embedded sphere) become increasingly complex over time as maintenance, verification, troubleshooting and adaptations become ever more intricate and susceptible to error. This 48-page booklet shows that it makes absolute sense to also use agile principles in brownfield projects with quality-driven development (QDD/TDD).

Certainty in power supply: Switchgear installations must fulfil the strictest requirements. The software components developed by bbv resulted in significantly increased testing efficiency at ABB thanks to automated test planning, implementation and documentation. This also had a positive impact on employee motivation.

Extensive tests are needed to ensure the existing functionality with each software release. Swisscom Directories AG wanted to automate this process. Thanks to bbv’s support, a solution was implemented without delay, which offers seamless functionality.

The pharmaceutical company is an innovator leader and system provider in the area of human medical diagnosis. bbv was involved in a consultancy role with the migration of an internationally distributed development organisation to scrum and supported the company from idea through to implementation.

Improved control software for a new generation of coffee machines was needed to fulfil all of the customer’s wishes. bbv developed the software together with Thermoplan using cutting-edge technologies and methods and trained the employees in parallel. bbv was able to offer its extensive knowledge of embedded Linux, continuous integration, unit tests and agile software development.

Abraxas Informatik AG developed the Tell Tax app for the Canton of Valais. This app is used to digitalise tax documents quickly and securely. bbv helped the customer to set up the new development platform in Xamarin and test the app, and also trained the employees.

How can testing be performed efficiently? To find an answer to this question, bbv examined the electronics testing process at maxon motor ag and developed a new test concept. The test process and the tools used specially for this purpose now allow high test coverage, faster reporting and a higher level of test automation.