Ae nv/sa Interleuvenlaan 27b BE – 3001 Heverlee tel +32 16 39 30 60 fax +32 16 39 30 70 NMBS “Ibis” mobile Architecture UA – Capita.

ae nv/sa Interleuvenlaan 27b BE – 3001 Heverlee tel +32 16 39 30 60 fax +32 16 39 30 70 info@ae.be www.ae.be NMBS “Ibis” mobile Architecture UA – Capita Selecta Software Engineering 24/11/2008 Stéphane Tombeur stephane.tombeur@ae.be Jorne Delforge jorne.delforge@ae.be ae nv/sa Interleuvenlaan 27b BE – 3001 Heverlee tel +32 16 39 30 60 fax +32 16 39 30 70 info@ae.be www.ae.be

Agenda  Software architecture ≠ software design  Business Case  Build the next generation mobile sales platform for train passengers  Functional Description  Solution Architecture  How did we design the solution architecture?  A problem/solution approach © AE 2008 2

What is Software Architecture? What word(s) pop(s) up when you think about software architecture?…

What is Architecture?

Business Architecture It all starts with a business process…  Who is involved and how are they involved?  What is the information model?

Application Architecture Once we have a clear vision on the business process…  Mapping process onto application(s)  Describing use-cases  Specifying components

Technical Architecture Once we have a clear description of what is requested…  Build or buy?  How to build the application considering the requirements?

Business Case Build the next generation mobile sales platform for train passengers

Business Case © AE 2008 9  Replace previous generation of devices called ‘Ivette’  Limited autonomy ( < 4hrs )  Not ‘personal’ – handed over to other operator after each shift  Fixed functionality, no extra functions possible  End-of-life (10 yrs)  Automate a number of paper forms  Extend a wider array of services to passengers  Information  Internet ticketing  Flexible payment  ‘Business agility’, ability to react to new market drivers with new kinds of tickets  Need for 3000 devices

Functional Description That looks interesting. What does it do when I press this button?

Functional Description © AE 2008 11  Ibis is a train manager’s multi-purpose personal assistant  Sell tickets  Write fines for not having a ticket  Provide information to the customer  Write train reports  Passenger numbers  Damage and incident reports  Train security personnel can also use Ibis  They see other features enabled by their login  Write shift and incident reports

A day in the life of a train manager © AE 2008 12 Accounting Processes Ibis output Manages Ibis backoffice INA Web app INA User Prepares Ibis data Main datastore Oracle db cluster Ibis front-end datastore Sql Server Train Manager Uses Ibis in the field Train station Provides wifi connectivity

Functional Description © AE 2008 13  Ibis user can  Work offline  Synchronize wirelessly in train stations  Register payments in a secure store  Accept Visa/MasterCard as payment  Use a large (Full VGA) touchscreen to interact with the device  Print (thermal) tickets, receipts and train schedules  Use the device as a cellphone for voice or SMS  Verify internet-sales tickets with a barcode reader  Provide good customer service on the train

Functional Description © AE 2008 14  The Ibis device is  Built on a custom hardware platform  Built on a custom version of Windows  Small and lightweight  An electrical device with a battery

Ibis Solution Architecture Ok, so you need to do all these different things... Now get to work!

Solution Architecture © AE 2008 16 Managed SQL CE API.NET classes to perform replication Ibis Mobile Device Train Manager Personal Assistant Ibis Bootstrapper Manages synchronization, updates and Ibis startup Ibis Application Main application UI layer MVC-based WinForms application ViewController Domain layer Class library with data, exceptions and user messages Model Business layer Class library with business logic Sales Component Print Component Train Reports Component... Data Access layer DB-software specific helper classes, DB-software agnostic DAC classes SQL Server CE Database system software Ibis Database SQL CE database file Managed SQL CE API.NET classes to perform replication Train Manager Uses Ibis in the field

Requirement  Highly complex business logic  Design decision:  Separation of business logic from rest of app  Impact on architecture:  Layered application  Separate functional components  Domain objects get passed through layers © AE 2008 17

Requirement  The application needs to be updated ‘in-the-field’  Design decision:  The application will update itself through the same technique as data synchronisation  Impact on architecture:  Split application into starter exe (bootstrapper) and UI exe © AE 2008 18

Systems Management © AE 2008 20  Software updates  A device is put into the field with the latest version of the application  The main application cannot update itself due to file locking  Bootstrapper starts ‘kiosk’ application  Bootstrapper checks for update at startup (if in train station)  Uses SqlCe ‘CAB deployment’ feature to overwrite application files  User can ‘drop out’ of application to bootstrapper environment to synchronise data and update the software  System software update is not done in the field

Requirement  The user interface has a lot of screens, some may be added later, some implement similar functionality... ... and previously we decided on ‘separation of concerns’  Design decision:  We will implement the UI with the Model-View-Controller design pattern  Impact on architecture:  Separate layer for UI  Reuse of domain objects © AE 2008 21

Requirement  The device has a finite amount of memory... ... and in v1 of the ‘compact’ CLR, garbage collection was not optimal  Design decision:  We will cache screen definitions for speed, but we must be careful not to use up all the RAM  Impact on architecture:  Views are grouped according to functional modules  Startup of module -> load all the screens  Change module -> destroy all the screens first © AE 2008 23

Presentation Layer

Requirement  We knew up-front that the database implementation would change (SqlServerCe -> OracleLite)  Design decision:  Separate data access logic and objects  Impact on architecture:  Data access layer  Domain objects instead of readers © AE 2008 25

Requirement  Screens are complex... ... but a lot of screen functions are similar  Design decision:  Create reusable screen components  Impact on architecture:  Views are composite  Presentation logic becomes more generic © AE 2008 27

Requirement  Screen layout must be consistent  A lot of screens do the same basic stuff  Design decision:  Centralize layout and parts of presentation logic  Impact on architecture:  Use base class for screens  Use base class for controllers © AE 2008 28

Solution Architecture © AE 2008 29 Datum KeuzevakTijd Keuzevak

Requirement  Some data just needs to be ‘read’ and never ‘written’, but it must be _fast_!  Design decision:  Allow read-only operations straight to the database  Impact on architecture:  Implement Fast Lane Reader design pattern © AE 2008 30

Solution Architecture © AE 2008 31 Managed SQL CE API.NET classes to perform replication Ibis Mobile Device Train Manager Personal Assistant Ibis Bootstrapper Manages synchronization, updates and Ibis startup Ibis Application Main application UI layer MVC-based WinForms application ViewController Domain layer Class library with data, exceptions and user messages Model Business layer Class library with business logic Sales Component Print Component Train Reports Component... Data Access layer DB-software specific helper classes, DB-software agnostic DAC classes SQL Server CE Database system software Ibis Database SQL CE database file Managed SQL CE API.NET classes to perform replication Train Manager Uses Ibis in the field Fast-Lane Reader DAO

Requirement  Murphy is always looking over the train manager’s shoulder... ... sometimes it just goes wrong  Design decision:  User actions must be ACID  Impact on architecture:  Use transactions  Start them from the business layer © AE 2008 32

Requirement  Data = $$$  Sensitive data needs to be protected if the device is stolen or if it crashes  Design decision:  Encrypt credit card numbers  Double bookkeeping  Impact on architecture:  Use PKI to encrypt without a thief being able to unlock the numbers (at least in his own lifetime)  Database on compact flash + synchronized to server  Log all financial transactions to secure storage © AE 2008 33

Recap to Business Architecture Can all business processes be automated? 100%?

Systems Management © AE 2008 35  Example of a process that cannot be fully automated: Provisioning & Inventory  Biggest challenge is keeping data ‘personal’  Device is essentially a cash register  Amount in pocket must equal amount in register  Each device is ‘personal’, user takes it home (e.g. to recharge)  ‘Hot’ spares are located throughout the country in train stations  When a device breaks down, a service center locates the nearest spare and instructs ground personnel to switch during stopover  Spare needs to be ‘initialized’ with user’s login  When personal device is fixed, it is put in ‘hot spare location’ and scheduled to be switched again (user gets back his/her own device)  Data from spare can be synched back to personal device, but doesn’t need to be  Data is linked to user id and device id  Back office can reassign data from spare to personal device

Key Challenges © AE 2008 37  It’s all about money  Cash register needs to be 100% correct with what’s in pocket  What happens if a ticket isn’t printed correctly or needs to be cancelled  Tamper proof / Protecting OS against users  Sensitive credit card data on device  Asymmetrical key encryption of CC numbers  Credit card safety requirements  Algorithm + stoplist

Solution Architecture  Hardware (dZine – www.dzine.be)www.dzine.be  CPU: Intel PXA255 @ 400MHz  Memory: 64MB RAM + 64MB Flash + CF Module  Screen: Full VGA (640x480) 6,4” touchscreen  Connectivity: USB, Bluetooth, Wifi, GSM/GPRS  Thermal Printer  ISO 7816 smart card reader  Contactless smart card reader  Barcode scanner  Magstripe reader  Battery lasts long enough for a full shift with smart power management © AE 2008 38

Solution Architecture  System software  Custom build of Windows CE 4.2  Sql Server Ce (+ Sql Server 2000) Database replication through subscriptions File replication through CAB deployment  (Sql Server 2000 ->) Oracle database server replication  Connected to back-office through Wifi in train stations Cisco access points RADIUS authentication (login + MAC) .NET Compact Framework 1.0 SP1  Custom hardware drivers & libraries, e.g. Printer driver Secure store API © AE 2008 39

Solution Architecture  Application software  1 tier, 3 layers (UI, Business logic, Data Access)  All integration to back-end done through database replication  Extensive business logic Ticket validation Printing component (P/Invoke to Win32 DeviceContext API) NMBS ‘Sabin’ like price calculation component (P/Invoke) Separate components for hardware interaction through P/Invoke .NET CF Windows Forms  UI is MVC derived from UIP Application Block 1.0 Presentation logic in V(iews) Navigation and calling busines logic in C(ontrollers) Screen data in M(odel) or ‘Data Transfer Objects’  Separate data access logic © AE 2008 40

Layered architecture

Data Access layer

 Data access objects (DAO)  Manages all access to the database  Transforms query results into the desired objects  Ensures complete encapsulation of data access  Data transfer objects (DTO)  Context specific objects that reflect the information model  Classes that encapsulate only data, no behavior  Fast Lane Reader  Only for read only data

Fast Lane Reader

Business layer

 Contains all business logic  Stateless!  Uses DTOs from DAO and other services in the business layer to execute specific task  Translates input from presentation layer into DTOs for data access layer

Domain layer

 Accessible from every module  Responsabilities:  Localization  Messageboxes  Exception managment

Presentation layer  Has its own architecture!  Each Core Module is seen as a Task  Management of Tasks is done by a TaskManager Starting a Task Closing a Task Switching Between Tasks  Each Task is made of the following: A User Process Controller (UPC) One or Several Forms  UPC Controls navigation between forms  UPC Holds the state of the Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Systems Management How do you keep 3000 machines running in the field and on-the-move? 5 / 7

Development Cycle © AE 2008 51  Starting point was ‘this is the same as any 3-tier layered enterprise application’, because  NMBS wanted highly detailed specs  Business of selling tickets and other train manager activities is highly complex  Integration with other apps (mostly HW in this case)  Development was distributed into ‘Phases’ from the start  Within a ‘phase’, we did iterations with a formal handover and acceptance procedure after each iteration  Mostly, spec was done up-front, so you could say it was ‘iterative waterfall’  Analysts were part of the team, and delivering specs + code at the end of the iteration made it ‘kind of’ agile, as often specs would change as a result of how development went

Development Cycle © AE 2008 52  Biggest challenge during dev was testing...  No back office available until very late in the cycle  Unit testing was quite a challenge on CF 1.0  Emulation was not an option  Extensive manual test scripts based on specs, tested regularly throughout cycle ... and moving targets  Every few weeks, a new build of the OS  Every few months a new HW platform ... until the HW was shipped to Barco for production  Not all that different from an ‘enterprise class’ application, where integration with other apps is often the moving target

Development Cycle © AE 2008 53  Tools  Visual Studio 2003 (first beta, then RTM)  Visual SourceSafe  Platform Builder .NET Compact Framework 1.0, later SP1  Sql Server 2000 + Sql Server Ce + managed SqlCe SDK  ActiveSync, CAB wizard, wceload  Oracle db server + Oracle Lite + managed oLite SDK

Key Challenges Small things that tend to blow up your targets 7 / 7

Key Challenges © AE 2008 55  Ergonomics  The working conditions for a user are far from ideal  We needed to fit a lot of information and functionality on a small(ish) screen  Memory vs Speed tradeoff with a lot of screens  Easy to use menus  Good color scheme  Consistent UI layout according to eye movement  Need for a lot of custom UI controls

Key Challenges

Platform and tool evolution We’ve come a long way since 2004, so how would we build it today? 7 / 7

Platform & Tool Evolution © AE 2008 58  Windows Mobile  Managed WindowsMobile SDK  A lot more managed ‘system’ interaction .NET Compact Framework 3.5  More controls (more than double the number in 1.0)  WCF, Linq, Compression API, etc...  Input panel API  Better implementation of Dispose / GC  Access to bitmaps and fonts (for printing)  Sync Services for ADO.NET  More flexible and a lot more fine-grained than old SqlCe synch API  Better integration with VS2008 (local database cache)  Synch intelligence can be on client, less load on server  N-tier synchronisation (proxy)  Sync Framework  At base of sync services, support for file & folder synchronisation

Platform & Tool Evolution © AE 2008 59  SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP1  Same db for desktop and mobile,so a lot easier to manage for developers  More features on db-runtime level  Visual Studio 2008  CLR Profiler for Mobile  Unit testing for mobile applications  Office Mobile  Problem was cost, so probably not an option this time either  But document templates and printing would be a very nice feature (e.g. Word 2007 xml)

Platform & Tool Evolution © AE 2008 60  Bottom line  A lot of the concepts from the time of winCE 4.2 and.NET CF 1.0 still stand today  Evolution is towards  more built-in features  smarter frameworks and tools  stability  Guesstimate: now 15-20% less development time for the same application (2k MD in total)  More frameworks and features, less custom development  More stable applications and tools (ActiveSync was a big productivity-killer back then)  But the time gain would also be due to better software engineering practices and processes

Key Challenges © AE 2008 61  Replication of data  Provisioning / tracking of devices  Update an application from within itself  Connection stability  Making the device ‘personal’ -> replicating the right data to the right device  Single connection to db available

Platform & Tool Evolution © AE 2008 62  What if we went with an UMPC or tablet PC instead of custom, mobile hardware?  5 years is an eternity in HW and battery related technologies, so UMPC’s and tablet PC’s would be an option now  Full-fledged.NET framework possible  Maybe even WPF or Silverlight?  Can be used for other applications as well  Platform services for update, synch etc...

Key Challenges – TODO Cleanup © AE 2008 63  Integrate code with custom hardware  Synchronisation/Replication  Back-office and clients developed by different teams at the same time (moving targets)  Provisioning / tracking of devices  Protecting OS against users  Tracking money  Cash register  What if a ticket isn’t printed correctly  Tamper proof  Sensitive credit card data  Credit card requirements (stoplist)  Fitting a lot of info and functions on a small(ish) screen  Memory management (a lot of screens) vs Speed -> cache screen definitions  Update an application from kiosk mode -> bootstrapper  Connection stability  Making the device ‘personal’ -> replicating the right data to the right device  Ergonomics, because the working conditions are far from ideal  Consistency of screen layout  Easy to use menus  Color scheme  Layout according to eye movement  Sceen controls! Number of controls in framework severely limited  Single connection to db  Dispose of connections to db

Ae nv/sa Interleuvenlaan 27b BE – 3001 Heverlee tel +32 16 39 30 60 fax +32 16 39 30 70 NMBS “Ibis” mobile Architecture UA – Capita.

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Ae nv/sa Interleuvenlaan 27b BE – 3001 Heverlee tel +32 16 39 30 60 fax +32 16 39 30 70 NMBS “Ibis” mobile Architecture UA – Capita.

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