Perforce Enhances Developer Productivity At CSR

Perforce Software's Software Configuration Management Tool
Deployed By CSR To Reduce Time Spent On Code Housekeeping

Yateley, UK, October 20, 2003 - Perforce Software today announced that its Software Configuration Management (SCM) tool has been selected by CSR to manage the source code associated with CSR's three software development groups that include firmware, application development, and the external processor code group.

CSR's primary reasons for selecting Perforce were that it supports atomic transactions and enables developers to more easily merge changes across branches, as well as see what changes have been merged into any given code line. This functionality is key for CSR developers as, at any one time, there are many different code lines to consider, including: hardware variants, branches of firmware, customer-specific builds, and special development builds.

Neil MacMullen, Group Leader of the Application Software Group, CSR said, "The source control tool we were using previously didn't allow multi-file changes to be treated as atomic transactions. It was also very difficult to merge bug fixes, for example, across the many code branches that the software teams have active at any one time. Finding out what changes had been merged to what branches was also very time consuming. Even with the limited metadata that we imported from our previous SCM system, we have been able to reduce the time taken for a typical merge by up to 80%."

In the Perforce model, multi-file changes can be treated as atomic transactions. Database integrity is assured at each server transaction, and each logical change is uniquely and permanently identified. The inherent data aggregation of atomic changes provides an implicit relationship between file versions and external representations of work such as bug fix orders, ECO's, or program specifications. Perforce tracks all operations that affect files under its control -- adds, deletes and updates, for instance -- and enables users to selectively synchronize their client workspace(s) with submitted changes as desired.

Dave Robertson, Director of European Operations, Perforce, said, "We are pleased to be able to deliver a measurable reduction in the time CSR developers spend on source code maintenance. CSR has created a dynamic environment where creativity and flexibility play a significant role in the company being at the forefront of the design and manufacture of single-chip radio devices. The deployment of Perforce is certainly another example of CSR's dedication to this kind of dynamism."

About CSR

CSR (Cambridge Silicon Radio) provides single-chip radio devices for Bluetooth wireless communication. CSR offers developed hardware/software packages based around BlueCore, a fully integrated 2.4 GHz radio, baseband and microcontroller. BlueCore features in 60 percent of all qualified Bluetooth v1.1 enabled end product designs with international names such as Microsoft Corp, Panasonic, Audi, NEC, Toshiba, Samsung and Sony already using BlueCore in their range of Bluetooth products. In June 2003, CSR launched the third generation BlueCore devices with full support for v1.2 of the Bluetooth specification.

CSR is headquartered in Cambridge, UK, with offices in Richardson, Texas, USA; Tokyo, Japan; Singapore; Seoul, Korea; Taipei, Taiwan and Aalborg, Denmark. More information can be found at www.csr.com and the partner web site www.btdesigner.com. More information about Bluetooth can be found on the SIG web site at www.bluetooth.com.

About the Perforce SCM System

Perforce SCM is a comprehensive software configuration management system that streamlines the software development process for organizations working with multiple operating systems and in multiple physical locations. This high-powered SCM system, which runs on more than 50 operating systems, provides software developers an easy-to-use tool for version control, workspace management and atomic change transactions. Perforce SCM maximizes efficiency by managing work on local disks and providing for online backups.

About Perforce Software

Perforce Software Inc. develops, markets, and supports Perforce, the Fast Software Configuration Management System. Headquartered in Alameda, Calif., Perforce Software sells worldwide and has international operations in Europe, Japan, and Africa. Perforce customers include developers of systems, application, Web, and database software, and firms in the financial, education, and research markets. For additional information, contact Perforce Softwarevia email at info@perforce.com or phone at +44 1252 861400, or on the Web at www.perforce.com

Media Contacts