Prototyping Software in the Cloud: Finding the Right Partner for Your Shift Left

Engineering and software development teams know all too well about the sleepless nights and stressful days of bringing a complex new product to market. There’s the never ending time-to-market pressure, the challenge of working with cross-disciplinary teams with different communication styles and goals, and the complexity of the product itself, with multiple dependencies, subsystems, and components that all need to work well together.  

Consider the automotive industry as the quintessential example, where software-defined vehicles (SDVs) have evolved from the average consumer’s dream car to simple table stakes in the modern era. According to a recent report from McKinsey & Company, these computers on wheels are powered by upwards of 100 million lines of code, require four to six years to develop, and reflect the hard work of automotive engineers, software developers, embedded systems engineers, cybersecurity experts, data scientists, and AI specialists. By 2030, McKinsey estimates that 50% of the software and electronics will represent 50% of the vehicle’s total cost.  

Overcoming the Time-and-Money Black Hole with a Shift to the Left 

Traditional hardware and software development is hamstrung by a largely linear process: Hardware is designed first, and software is developed and integrated once physical prototypes are available.  

Hardware prototypes are built at various stages to test the product, which is costly, time-consuming, and difficult to modify once built. Meanwhile, your software developers are left to twiddle their thumbs while they wait for these physical prototypes before beginning various stages of development and testing. 

You achieve the same old result: Your project grinds along slowly while your costs and scope creep. 

Prototyping software in the cloud has proven to be a game-changer for companies in a variety of industries where complexity is the name of the game. By shifting left to move critical development processes like testing and validation earlier in the life cycle, these organizations can identify and fix problems faster and more cost-efficiently. 

The new results: 

• Speed to Market: One of the most significant advantages of cloud-based prototyping is how it enables a “shift left” approach in product development. Cloud-based tools allow teams to test virtual prototypes long before physical hardware is available. This means potential issues can be identified and addressed earlier, reducing costly errors later in the process.  
• Cost Efficiency: Materials, production, and labor costs can quickly escalate, especially when prototypes fail to meet expectations and need to be redesigned. Cloud-based prototyping drastically reduces these expenses by allowing virtual simulations. 
• Enhanced Collaboration and Accessibility: Cloud-based tools allow team members to collaborate in real time, regardless of location. Whether the team is spread across different offices or continents, cloud platforms provide a centralized hub where everyone can contribute to the prototyping process. This global accessibility means faster feedback loops, as team members can simultaneously review, modify, and test prototypes. 
• Scalability and Flexibility: Companies can scale their resources up or down depending on the project’s complexity. Whether you’re a startup working on a small device or a multinational company developing a sophisticated system, cloud platforms offer the flexibility to adapt to your needs without significant infrastructure investment. 
• Risk Reduction: One of the most impactful benefits of cloud-based prototyping is its ability to minimize risks through virtual simulations. Using our automotive industry example again, cloud-based virtual models allow engineers to simulate every aspect of a vehicle’s functionality. From testing the infotainment system to the safety controls, engineers can simulate real-world conditions without ever building a physical prototype​. 
• Competitive Advantage: Companies that can design, test, and iterate their products in the cloud are often ahead of their competitors who rely on traditional methods. This advantage is particularly clear in industries where innovation cycles are getting shorter, and the demand for more sophisticated, software-driven products is increasing. 
• Reduced Environmental Impact: Cloud-based prototyping also contributes to sustainability by reducing the need for physical materials and energy consumption associated with traditional prototyping processes. When fewer physical prototypes are built, companies reduce their material waste and carbon footprint. 

The Last Piece of the Puzzle: Finding the Right Partner 

Finding the right partner among a sea of similar-sounding providers is essential to helping you capture the cost- and time-savings of prototyping software in the cloud. You’ll find some partners who excel as systems integrators who can get you tied into the cloud and others who can build applications. However, it’s rare and nearly impossible to find a provider who offers an end-to-end solution that solves your cloud prototyping challenges. 

At Judge, we can build complete virtual software prototyping systems or any individual component, offering organizations services in systems integration, application development, and virtual modeling. Our solutions are backed by deep industry expertise, skilled engineering and software development talent, and technical training capabilities to upskill your existing teams. We also provide technology consulting to enhance your productivity.  

Let’s use the automotive industry example again. Many are familiar with the concepts of shift-left testing and virtual prototypes, but what sets our new “native” virtual prototype capability apart is its direct impact on regulatory certifications. This innovative approach ensures that the same software runs on the virtual prototype as it does in the car, thanks to register compliance. 

This means that Judge can guarantee that your shift-left software is identical to the software deployed in a vehicle. This alignment not only streamlines the development process but also enhances the reliability and safety of the final product. By leveraging our native virtual prototype capability, you can achieve regulatory compliance more efficiently, reducing time-to-market and ensuring that your products meet the highest standards. 

In essence, our new capability transforms the way you approach software development and regulatory compliance, providing a seamless and trustworthy solution that sets your brand apart in the competitive automotive landscape. 

Additionally, we have partnered with Arm, the world’s leading semiconductor IP and technology provider, to combine our expertise in consulting, staffing, and training with Arm’s cutting-edge virtual hardware, creating powerful new possibilities for your business. 

To learn more, visit www.Judge.com or contact us today. 

About Nick Glewicz

Nick Glewicz is the head of the semiconductor practice at The Judge Group, a role he has excelled in since joining the organization in 2021. With a strong background in the semiconductor industry, he leads a dedicated team that focuses on delivering innovative solutions and services to clients, ensuring they stay at the forefront of technology advancements.

Living in San Diego, Nick enjoys a vibrant family life with his wife and two sons. He is deeply rooted in the community and values the balance between his professional responsibilities and personal life. A proud alumnus of San Diego State University, he graduated with a degree that laid the foundation for his successful career in technology. His passion for the semiconductor field, combined with his leadership skills, continues to drive growth and excellence within The Judge Group.