« Update on IBM’s autonomic initiatives   |   Main   |   McKinsey on consumer migration from wireline service »

Microsoft announced “Whitehorse” product as competitor to UML modeling tools

ArsTechnica comments on the ZDNet piece on Microsoft’s new project around developing a competing framework to the UML commonly in use todya by many large ISVs, saying:

Microsoft’s decision to shun the more commonly-used Unified Modeling Language in favor of a proprietary solution is a curious one. The software giant is apparently betting that by developing their own approach, developers will be able to take full advantage of Whitehorse using the new tools. This lets developers from different industries create their own modeling language designed for their unique specifications, constraints, and strengths.

With IBM’s acquisition of primary UML-tool developer Rational last year, Microsoft is likely responding with the increasing integration between IBM’s products and Rational tools. It does seem a shame for them to take another direction completely, but given the fact that Microsoft developers tend to raised in Microsoft environments (where Rational has not been strong historically) - this could be a win in terms of growing adoption of rigorous software development practices within Microsoft shops.