1. Applying product line approaches used in physical products to software
Louis DeMaria Jr.
CSCI 577b
April 25, 2012

2. Agenda How are product lines used in other industries?
What is the advantage in other industries
How could product lines be implemented in the software industry
What would be the advantage in the software industry
Success examples to date in the software industry.

3. How are product lines used
Product lines are used to create several similar products with slightly varying capabilities
Example:
BMW Vehicles
1 Series
3 Series
328
335 M3
5 Series
7 Series

4. How are product lines used
In the example vehicles from each series are very similar to each other, but are sold as different models with different capabilities
Vehicle body parts are shared amongst most vehicles of the same series
Many mechanical parts are the same amongst vehicles of the same series and shared amongst vehicles of different series

5. Advantages
Companies are able to offer a wide variety of different products to customers that essentially perform the same task, but in a way tailored to exactly what the customer is looking for
Allows customers the ability to select products and options to fit their specific needs (often times cost related)
Allows companies the ability to offer “entry level” products to customers
Component reuse is great for maintenance

6. Product lines in software
Already implemented in some software products
Windows 7 Starter
Windows 7 Home Basic
Windows 7 Home Premium
Windows 7 Professional
Windows 7 Enterprise
Windows 7 Ultimate
Many parts of Windows Vista are found in the Windows 7 family of products

7. Advantages User familiarity with the “look and feel” of a product
Windows 7 Home Basic used at home has the same “look and feel” as Windows 7 Ultimate used at work
Adjusting configurations and repairing all versions of Windows 7 is similar
Setting up a network on Windows 7 Starter is the same process as setting up a network on Windows 7 professional
Cuts down on documentation and time required for users to learn how to use the system

8. Advantages Fixing bugs is easier Higher Return on Investment
If components are reused throughout a software product line a bug fix in a reused component fixed the component in all versions
If components are different throughout products a bug fix may require fixing several components in order to fix all of the products
Higher Return on Investment
If one component can be developed and used in several products it makes the return on investment of developing that component higher

9. Advantages Higher return on investment on developing of system
Cost of developing Windows 7 can be thought of as developing 6 different products without the cost of developing 6 independent products
Customer could purchase additional functionality without removing and reinstalling an entire software package
Think adding and removing a scientific option to a calculator piece of software.

10. Success Examples Windows Linux free vs. enterprise editions
Anti-Virus Guard (AVG)
Anti-Virus
Internet Security
Premium Security …
COCOMO  COCOMOII
Update in CSCI577a to allow COCOMO_II_ to function correctly

11. References http://wwwbmwusa.com http://www.windows.microsoft.com

12. Questions?