OMG's Model Interoperability Demonstration a Success
Multiple tool vendors demonstrate exchange of UML models using XMI

Needham, MA, USA - January 4, 2010 - Members of OMG's™ Model Interchange Working Group (MIWG) held an Interoperability Demonstration on December 7, 2009 at the OMG Technical Meeting in Long Beach, California. This event demonstrated an initial capability to interchange UML® models between six tools from five different vendors. The participating vendor tools included Artisan Studio, IBM Rhapsody, IBM RSx, SOFTEAM Modelio, No Magic MagicDraw, and Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect. The MIWG has posted a recording of the demonstration, as well as an introductory presentation at http://www.omgwiki.org/model-interchange/doku.php.

During the demonstration, the test conductor provided a reference diagram to the participating vendors that they had not previously seen. Each participating vendor used their tool to create a diagram that was intended to replicate the reference diagram, and then generate and export the corresponding XMI to a shared work area. The participating vendors then used their tool to import the XMI® created in the other tools, and regenerate the diagram.

"This event not only demonstrates a level of interchange, but more importantly, it demonstrates the willingness of the vendors to work together to satisfy a critical need among the user community," said Sanford Friedenthal, chair of the MIWG.

"I congratulate all the participants on achieving this significant milestone on the path to demonstrating complete XMI interoperability between tools supporting OMG modeling standards", said Richard Mark Soley, Ph.D., OMG President and CEO. "Exchanging UML, OMG SysML and UPDM models with customers and suppliers helps realize the full benefits of capturing hardware and software designs and enterprise architectures using these widely-used precise modeling notations. I believe this demonstration will accelerate the adoption of model-driven engineering techniques in general, and OMG's Model-Driven Architecture in particular, by guaranteeing the ability to combine best-of-breed modeling tools in both inter- and intra-enterprise tool chains."

The MIWG was established in December 2008 to demonstrate and enhance the interoperability among UML-based modeling tools using XMI. The XML Metadata Interchange (XMI) format is the OMG standard for exchanging models. The group's focus is on model interchange between UML, OMG SysML™, and Unified Profile for DoDAF and MODAF (UPDM) -capable tools. The MIWG comprises end users, tool vendors and experts in the UML and XMI standards. The US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is providing an XMI validation tool that forms a key part of this process. Model Driven Solutions (MDS) and Adaptive have been providing additional technical expertise and configuration management support of the modeling artifacts.

The MIWG uses an incremental testing approach to demonstrate interchange with increasing levels of interchange. To date, the MIWG has completed six test cases encompassing class models, activity models, composite structure models, and simple profiles. Issues resulting from the testing are identified and addressed. The testing results to date demonstrate a significant level of interchange capability across multiple tools. The plan is to complete interchange testing of the majority of UML functionality by the end of March 2010, and then to proceed with SysML interchange testing. Following the completion of the base level of SysML testing, the group will proceed with UPDM interchange testing, which leverages both UML and SysML. The US Department of Defense, the UK Ministry of Defence, and NATO have all emphasized the criticality of this capability, and are closely monitoring the results from this effort. Information on the MIWG, the test cases, testing approach, and plans are available on the group's Wiki page at http://www.omgwiki.org/model-interchange.

Participants
The organizations currently participating are:

• Artisan (participating tool)
• IBM (participating tool)
• SOFTEAM (participating tool)
• No Magic (participating tool)
• Sparx Systems (participating tool)
• Adaptive (Test case construction, validation and support)
• MDS (Test case support and version control)
• NIST (Independent test case validation)
• Lockheed Martin (Chair)

How to get involved
The MIWG will continue to conduct interoperability test coverage for UML, SysML and UPDM. Any organization wishing 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.

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About OMG
Founded in 1989, OMG is an international, open membership, not-for-profit computer industry consortium. 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, IMM, MDMI, OCRES, OCUP, OCEB, Green Computing Maturity Model, GCMM, “We Set the Standard” tagline and Unified Modeling Language are trademarks of Object Management Group. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Edited by Stephanie