Babcock operates a comprehensive software development capability
underpinned by a proven QA system and experienced project
management. The company has over 30 years experience of providing
robust and reliable applications primarily for the nuclear
industry, utilising engineering techniques and processes that are
equally relevant in other sectors.
The software engineering team within Babcock is staffed by a
highly qualified and experienced team of engineers, who can offer
services spanning the full development lifecycle from requirements
capture and analysis, through design, development and testing, to
deployment, support and maintenance.
Babcock can deliver innovative and robust systems covering a
number of applications. These include:
- Radiometric instrumentation
- Safety systems
- Data acquisition and control
- Database systems
- Data analysis
- Intranet applications
- Graphical user interfaces
- 3D Imaging
- Systems integration
- Distributed systems
- Real-time systems
Many of these applications require the creation of systems to
meet complex requirements within a fixed budget and timescale. The
integration of 3rd party software and hardware, in addition to
bespoke development, leads to cost effective solutions with all
work underpinned by a mature quality assurance system accredited to
ISO9001:2000 and TickIT.
Babcock engineers follow an independently accredited development
lifecycle based on the Rational Unified Process® (RUP®). This
process is designed to identify and remove risk early in the
project and enable regular customer feedback.
Using this approach the Babcock team, based in West Cumbria,
have successfully delivered systems and software for customers
around the world, including the USA, Canada, Japan, China, Germany,
Switzerland and South Africa, as well as the UK.
The development process typically begins with a detailed
requirements capture and analysis, together with use case scenario
development to define robust hardware and software architectures.
All of these activities are carried out in close unison with each
of our customers to ensure that the appropriate solution is
delivered.
Software produced by Babcock is typically developed using a
component-based architecture using objected-oriented principles and
proven design patterns. Design documentation is captured using the
industry standard UML notation, supported by CASE tools. Our
engineers are also experienced with alternative software lifecycles
(e.g. the V-model), where this is more appropriate for the project
or customer.
The Software Engineering team have experienced software
practitioners, familiar with many current and legacy tools and
technologies, particularly those targeting the Microsoft Windows/PC
platform. Core skills include:
- Visual C++/MFC/ATL, Visual C#, Visual Basic, .NET,
COM/DCOM
- Database - SQL Server, MS Access, ADO.NET/ADO/DAO/ODBC
- Intranet/Web - HTML, ASP.NET, C#, XML, JavaScript, IIS
Verification and validation activities are an important element
of the software process. In addition to reviews and walkthroughs,
our engineers are skilled in a number of testing techniques which
are supported by specialist tools to enable test automation, leak
detection and coverage analysis.
The rigorous verification and validation techniques applied
ensure that the final delivered product is fit for purpose,
delivered to timescales and requires the minimum of post delivery
support, thus keeping lifetime costs to a minimum.
In addition to our development capability, Babcock has a
dedicated team of support engineers, maintaining operational
hardware and software to a wide range of legacy systems on behalf
of our customers worldwide.
Comprehensive support packages tailored to the needs of the
customer are available for all Babcock systems, and the team can
also provide training for users and asset care services.
In summary, Babcock offers a full lifecycle capability with the
flexibility to tailor the development process to the needs of the
individual customer and project. Our aim is to deliver:
- The desired functionality
- To the correct quality
- Within the required timescale
- At the right price
- For the lifetime of the system