A Simulation Study on Cost of Smartphone-embedded Softwares through Business Dynamics

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1 , pp A Simulation Study on Cost of Smartphone-embedded Softwares through Business Dynamics Yang-Ha Chun, School of Computer Science & Engineering, Yongin University, Gyeonggi 34, Korea yangha00@yongin.ac.kr Abstract. This study researches the cost factors of smartphone-embedded S/Ws and makes the simulation test with them by using the business dynamics to check the influence of S/Ws on the smartphone cost. Keywords: Business Dynamics, Smartphone, Cost Engineering, Mobile Business Introduction Our world is facing the so-called Mobile Big Bang era when the use of mobile device and service is explosively increasing. Korea is also showing the mobile big bang phenomenon that users of smartphone are rapidly increasing along with the wireless data traffic. Therefore, this study was carried out to show which parts among the smartphone cost factors the smartphone-embedded S/Ws have in the market and how the factors are correlated with each other through the simulation using the business dynamics technique, suggesting some technical tips in the actual business. 2. Related Studies 2. Concept of Embedded S/W and its Features Unlike the S/Ws of general PC, the embedded S/Ws are ones designed for special purpose to control the HW. [][2] When developed, the embedded S/W has 3 typical features as follows: Corresponding author : ISSN: ASTL Copyright 206 SERSC

2 . High Intimacy to Time-to-Market of Product 2. Succession of Basic Source Code, for most of S/Ws start from former models 3. High Complexity that high-leveled engineers have to apply necessary complex development technologies 2.2 Definition of Cost A frequently used concept for the cost is TCO (Total Cost of Ownership). TCO is the total cost per PC including H/W, S/W education of users and management costs. Therefore, it contains not only the product price but also the invisible costs such as management expenses. [3] 2.3 Problem in Estimation of Embedded S/W Cost As the mobile technologies are developing very fast and the standardization of screen size and OS etc. is incomplete, there are risks in the investment to it. However, when S/Ws are developed, customers strongly require to develop them faster and more cheaper. Furthermore, in many studies on the improved function point measurement models for S/W size estimation, the necessity to collect and manage the measurement data in diverse industrial domains by government agents has been suggested as a future task. [4] In this respect, this study is dealing with the cost factors of embedded S/Ws in the mobile field. 3 Research Method 3. Development of Study Model For the achievement of purpose in this study, a study model was set up as shown in Fig.. The cost factors were selected from the S/W cost factors of II. Related Studies in comprehensive consideration of items in [5][6][7][8] and [9]. Copyright 206 SERSC 5

3 Fig.. Study Model 3.2 Variable Definition for CLD & SFD Drawing-up The simplified smartphone-embedded S/W cost factors are as follows, and the simulation was carried out with 9 factors in 3 fields to verify the study model:. H/W Factors - Restriction of Main Memory - Response Time - Data communication performance 2. Quantification Factors - Development Expectation Period - Application Complexity - Reusability - Easy Upgrade 3. Strategic Factors - Strategic Importance of Produced Phone - Sales Plan of Phone 4. Simulation 4. CLD of Smartphone Cost Factors Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) is used to understand the structure through the conceptualization. In this study, it was framed with 3 loops with above factors. These can be conceptualized as the diagram in Fig Copyright 206 SERSC

4 Fig. 2. CLD of Smartphone Cost Factors 4.2 SFD and Equation of Smartphone Cost Factors Stock and Flow Diagram (SFD) is the process to make what was conceptualized through CLD formulize for the testing. In other words, SFD is to convert CLD to the structure for the simulation. In this SFD, Stock is S/W Cost, and the default value 0,000 USD. As the inflow to raise the cost of smartphone S/W, the increase of cost is influenced by the complexity. And, as the outflow to down the cost of smartphone S/W, the decrease of cost is influenced by reusability and dev time2. This development time is influenced by the strategic importance of smartphone. Fig. 3 shows the basic equation. Fig. 3. Equation of Smartphone Cost Factors Copyright 206 SERSC 7

5 5 Conclusions This study is significant in that it applied the Business Dynamics technique to the research of embedded S/W cost factors to verify the correlation of theoretic factors and practical ones through the simulation method. References Lee Sung Uk, "Framework for Improving Mobile Embedded Software Process", KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems Volume 0 Issue 5, pp (200) 3. ms.co.kr/tco.htm 4. Jung In Yong, Woo Doug Je, Park Jin Hyeong, Jeong Chang Sung, " Improved Function Point Measurement Model for Software Size Estimation ", KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems, Volume 0 Issue 4, pp.5-26 (2009) 5. Chan Kyoo Park, "Estimating Software Development Cost using Support Vector Regression ", Business Sience, Volume 23 Issue 2, pp.75-9 (2006) 6. Kim Woo Je. Moon Ju Kwon, "A Study on the Mid-Long Term Direction for Development of Software Cost Estimation Guidelines", Society for e-business Studies, Volume 5 Issue, pp (200) 7. Ju Yeon Jo. Sung Yul Rhew, "Cost Measurement Indicators and Maintenance Cost Estimation Model for Maintenance of Component-based Software", Journal of information process, Volume 6-D Issue 3, pp (2009) 8. Sungjin Shin, Hoojae Lee, Sungyul Rhew, "A study on Cost Estimation of Open Source Software through a Case Study ", Journal of information process VOL. 5 NO. 0pp 0339 ~ 0342 (2008) 9. Rita L. Sallam, "BI Platforms User Survey, 20 Customers Rate Their BI Platform Vendor Cost of Ownership survey", Gartner (20) 8 Copyright 206 SERSC