Southampton Uni embarks on DEPLOY IT project

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The University of Southampton is taking part in a £13 million EU project to make computer systems more reliable.

The project, called DEPLOY, started at the beginning of February and will last for four years, is designed to create new ways of building resilient computer systems. Academic scientists are working with different sectors of industry - Nokia (telecoms), SAP (business information), Siemens (transportation), Bosch (automotives) and Space Systems Finland (space).

Scientists will use engineering methods grounded in mathematical modelling and analysis to look at the resilience of each of the company systems. The data will allow for improvements to then be made. A pilot will be set up in each industry test sector and developed for a year before going into production.

"We are using mathematical models to provide analysis of these designs, which will help eliminate errors before the systems are put together", said Professor Michael Butler from the University of Southampton's computer science department.

"At the end of the four years we want the five main industrial partners to be self sufficient to use the software engineering techniques. When the project finishes the customers should continue to use these methods," Butler added. "These methods would help you build more robust dependable systems."

The project will also involve scientists from the University of Newcastle as well as universities from Germany, Switzerland and Finland. It was said that the work would feed into projects like the 2013 European space mission to explore Mercury, and train security on the Paris Metro.

"What is encouraging about this project is that our industry partners are really enthusiastic and have recognised the importance of incorporating robust design into their computer systems," Butler said.

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