Shure Amps Up Software Development with Borland Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) Solution
Borland helps leading microphone and audio electronics manufacturer deliver "market-driven" solutions by improving requirements definition and management
CUPERTINO, Calif. - May 22, 2006 : Borland Software Corporation (NASDAQ:BORL), the global leader for Software Delivery Optimization (SDO), announced today that Shure Incorporated, a global provider of microphones and audio electronics, is using the Borland Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) solution to translate critical input from its customers-rock stars, musicians, producers, audio engineers, sound contractors and personal audiophiles-into the software that powers Shure's award-winning microphones and audio products.
In the industry that coined the phrase "one hit wonder," competition is constant and the only competitive advantage is consistently producing and releasing products that keep customers coming back. For more than 80 years Shure has remained an innovator and an industry leader because every product, software component or enhancement it produces comes directly from customer input and feedback. To stay at the top of the charts, Shure selected Borland CaliberRM™ and Borland StarTeam® to automate, streamline and speed the process of turning customer needs into high-quality software requirements.
"Developing market-driven solutions in a fast-moving industry requires discipline and process," said John Purnell, PMP and Software Systems Specialist for Engineering at Shure. "We selected the Borland solution because we needed an automated way to effectively manage requirements and tie those requirements into our testing process. Additionally, we needed to find a more comprehensive and integrated system for software configuration management, version control and change requests."
Having been called to the task to help improve on the efficiency and speed at which it achieves the quality that has earned the Shure brand a reputation of being "Rugged and Reliable," the Shure Systems Engineering department defined a strategy for reducing time to market through application of a requirements based development approach. An essential part of the strategy was better management of customer wants and needs. Working closely with Borland partner Orasi Software, Shure has been able to successfully implement its strategy using Borland CaliberRM. As a result, it is now able to capture and manage bi-directional traceability between customer needs and product designs. Likewise, this approach has enabled reuse, cross-functional impact analysis, and benchmarking through a consistent approach to ALM.
Before integrating Borland's requirements management tools, Shure relied on manual processes to handle the very important - and challenging - task of translating the input its customer researchers gathered in journals, spreadsheets and documents into functional requirements. Using Borland's requirements management product, Shure now has a rigorous requirements process—from elicitation through testing—that saves time and resources, and ensures customer feedback is incorporated into every new piece of software.
Shure also uses Borland StarTeam, a developer collaboration platform, to ensure all development is driven directly from the requirements, and to efficiently manage version control and change requests throughout the development cycle. Borland StarTeam helps to enforce Shure's standard Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) process and save developers time by reducing rework.
"Once we defined our SDLC, we teamed with Borland partner Orasi Software for its expertise in helping optimize our processes through more automated systems and providing extensive training to ensure user adoption," explained Tony Branch, Manager of Systems Engineering at Shure. "Orasi is providing a process workshop called In Search of Excellent Requirements, focused on improving Shure's requirements development and management."
Nick Kavadellas, president and CEO of Orasi Software, said, "Orasi has a rich, intimate history working with Borland CaliberRM and Borland StarTeam and has been committed to transferring that knowledge to Shure throughout our long-standing relationship. The Borland products combined with the process and training expertise we've delivered has enabled Shure to make its software development lifecycle more effective."
"With the potential to reuse a significant percentage of the requirements and code in products that are part of the same line, we have the opportunity to significantly reduce development rework," said Branch.
"Boland's solutions help us take advantage of this potential, and provide yet another way to accelerate our software development cycles. Our most recent product launches have been very successful. With the Borland ALM solution, we are doing a better job of meeting customer needs than ever before," Purnell concluded.
To learn more about Borland ALM solutions, please visit www.borland.com/products.
About BorlandFounded in 1983, Borland Software Corporation (NASDAQ: BORL) is the global leader in platform independent solutions for Software Delivery Optimization. The company provides the software and services that align the people, process, and technology required to maximize the business value of software. To learn more about delivering quality software, on time and within budget, visit http://www.borland.com.
Borland, CaliberRM, StarTeam, and all other Borland brand and product names are service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of Borland Software Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
About Shure IncorporatedFounded in 1925, Shure Incorporated (www.shure.com) is a global leader in the manufacturer of microphones and audio electronics. Over the years, the company has designed and produced a wide variety of high-quality professional and consumer audio products, providing a vehicle for an individual's personal sound. Shure's diverse product line includes world-class microphones, premier wireless audio systems, consumer earphones and mobile phone headsets, problem-solving mixers, digital signal processors, personal monitor systems, and top-rated phonograph cartridges. Today, Shure products are used wherever high-quality audio performance is a top priority, in a wide variety of industries, markets, and settings.
Shure Incorporated corporate headquarters are located in Niles, IL in the United States. Regional sales and marketing offices are located in: Heilbronn, Germany; London; and in Hong Kong.
Safe Harbor StatementThis release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined under the U.S. Federal Securities Laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is subject to the safe harbors created by such laws. Forward-looking statements may relate to, but are not limited to, the potential benefits to be derived from Borland CaliberRM and Borland StarTeam. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations that involve a number of uncertainties and risks that may cause actual events or results to differ materially. Factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially include, among others, the following: rapid technological change that can adversely affect the demand for Borland products, shifts in customer demand, shifts in strategic relationships, delays in Borland's ability to deliver its products and services, software errors or announcements by competitors. These and other risks may be detailed from time to time in Borland periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, its latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and its latest Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, copies of which may be obtained from www.sec.gov. Borland is under no obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Information contained in our website is not incorporated by reference in, or made part of this press release.