OMG Announces Model Interchange Working Group
Working group has successfully completed first test case for
UML®-based modeling tool interoperability

Needham, MA, USA - July 8, 2009 - OMG™ members have formed the Model Interchange Working Group (MIWG) to demonstrate and facilitate interoperability between UML®-based modeling tools. The group's initial focus is on model interchange between UML®, OMG SysML™, and Unified Profile for DoDAF and MODAF (UPDM) -capable tools. MIWG comprises end users, tool vendors and experts in the UML and XMI® standards.

The MIWG's approach is to create an export of the same UML model from each participating vendor's tool and then import those models into each other's tool. The XML Metadata Interchange (XMI) format, the OMG standard for exchanging models, is used by the MIWG to transfer the model data among the participating tools. This approach will be applied across a number of test cases representing different types of models. The first test case, representing a UML Class Model, has been successfully completed, and is available on the group's Wiki page at http://www.omgwiki.org/model-interchange. Subsequent test cases will also be posted to the Wiki.

"End-users, large and small, value the ability to seamlessly move models between the various tools they use. We felt it was imperative that we could prove that tools that are built on OMG standards are in fact interoperable," said Richard Mark Soley, Ph.D., chairman and CEO, OMG. "Studies have shown that UML is in use in more than 70% of software-development organizations, along with other profiles such as SysML and UPDM that have extended UML for specific domains. As usage of these standards increase, it becomes even more critical that model interoperability is ensured."

"Model interchange is essential to achieve integration among a broad range of systems and software design and analysis tools," said Sanford Friedenthal, from Lockheed Martin and chair of the MIWG. "End users are beginning to expect this capability in their tools, and the standards have matured to a level that this is now achievable. In addition, the vendor participants in the MIWG are working very hard to deliver this capability. They have found this interchange process to provide an efficient mechanism to enhance model interchange as indicated in their responses."

"We have found our involvement in the OMG's Model Interchange Working Group to be highly valuable," stated Hedley Apperly, VP Marketing at Artisan. "Not only did we help define the first standard test case for model interchange but we have already used it to improve Artisan Studio, resulting in real model interchange benefits for our customers. Along with the other MIWG members, we would encourage other modeling tool vendors to get involved and reap the benefits of participating."

"Based on the technology of the Objecteering UML modeling tool, SOFTEAM has set up in 2009 a new generation of modeling tool called Modelio (http://www.modeliosoft.com). Interoperability is nowadays a critical feature required by the market," said Philippe Desfray, VP for R&D, SOFTEAM. "This MIWG effort between vendors and other contributors, based on the latest generation of OMG standards using XMI, will provide effective proven modeling tool interoperability. SOFTEAM welcomes this OMG MIWG initiative, and invests efforts into this working group in order to guarantee the interoperability of the Modelio modeling tool."

"Model interchange is increasingly important to our customers' businesses, and we are pleased to be able to take an active role in this initiative," said Sridhar Iyengar, IBM Distinguished Engineer. "For a long time our development teams have worked to promote modeling standards and model interchange. This concerted effort to create and agree upon a model interchange standard will allow our customers to more effectively participate in development processes that involve multiple design teams and modeling tools."

Participating Vendors include Adaptive, Artisan, EmbeddedPlus, IBM, NoMagic, Sodius, SOFTEAM, and SPARX Systems. The US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is participating to provide a validation tool as a key enabler of this process. Model Driven Solutions (MDS) has been providing additional technical expertise and configuration management support of the modeling artifacts.

Get Involved
The MIWG is continuing to produce test cases on an incremental basis to provide extensive coverage of areas of interoperability for UML, SysML and UPDM. Any organization that wishes to participate in the MIWG is encouraged to join OMG. For more information on OMG membership, please contact Ken Berk, vice president, business development at ken.berk@omg.org or +1-781-444-0404.

###

About OMG
OMG is an international, open membership, not-for-profit computer industry consortium that in 2009 is celebrating its 20th Anniversary. OMG Task Forces develop enterprise integration standards for a wide range of technologies, including: Real-time, Embedded and Specialized Systems, Analysis & Design, Architecture-Driven Modernization and Middleware and an even wider range of industries, including: Business Modeling and Integration, C4I, Finance, Government, Green Computing, Healthcare, Insurance, Legal Compliance, Life Sciences Research, Manufacturing Technology, Robotics, Software-Based Communications 
and Space.

OMG’s modeling standards, including the Unified Modeling Language™ (UML®) and Model Driven Architecture® (MDA®), enable powerful visual design, execution and maintenance of software and other processes, including IT Systems Modeling and Business Process Management. OMG’s middleware standards and profiles are based on the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA®) and support a wide variety of industries.

More information about OMG can be found at www.omg.org.  OMG is headquartered in Needham, MA, USA.

Note to editors: MDA, Model Driven Architecture, OMG Logo, XMI, UML, UML logo and CORBA are registered trademarks, and OMG, Object Management Group, Business Ecology, Actionable Architecture, SOA Consortium, SysML, SoaML, MOF, MDA Logos, BPMN, OCRES, OCUP, OCEB, Green Computing Maturity Model, GCMM, Unified Modeling Language and "We Set the Standard" tagline are trademarks of Object Management Group. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Edited by Stephanie