Altran Praxis launches to deliver embedded and critical systems

Formed through the merger of Praxis, the international specialist in critical systems engineering, and embedded software experts SC2 by Altran, the new organisation will focus on the engineering of software intensive and embedded systems with demanding safety, security or innovation requirements. The merger brings together Praxis deep expertise in safety and security critical systems with the strong innovation capabilities of SC2 by Altran in areas such as Human Machine Interface (HMI), multimedia and connectivity which it has gained through its long pedigree as a software research centre in the automotive sector. This will benefit clients by providing a full endtoend capability in innovative embedded and critical systems. Headquartered in Bath, UK, Altran Praxis will operate globally through offices in France, India and the UK. It currently employs 270 people and plans to expand further in 2010. Both Praxis and SC2 by Altran are already owned by the global €1.65 billion Altran group and Altran Praxis now forms the centre of excellence for embedded and critical systems within Altran. The launch of Altran Praxis will offer our clients a truly unique capability. For example if you are an automotive, aircraft or train manufacturer, we can now build and assure your most critical control systems, such as engine management or braking, and also deliver the most innovative passenger infotainment systems for generating more revenue. With the increasing integration of systems this combined capability is of very high value, said Keith Williams, Altran Praxis Managing Director. Crucially, our staff are extremely supportive of the merger, as it provides opportunities for them to become involved in different technologies and markets as well as further extending our international reach. Building on its joint heritage, Altran Praxis will operate as a trusted partner to companies in the aerospace and defence, rail, nuclear, air traffic management, automotive, medical and security sectors. Key projects in these sectors include:

• The development of the software for the groundbreaking iFACTS air traffic management system for the UKs National Air Traffic Services (NATS).
• Innovation projects in the field of automotive connectivity and telematics for Renault.
• Development of gesture based HMI technology for medical and control centre applications in sectors such as rail, air traffic management and nuclear.
• Independent Safety Assessment on Tube Lines new signalling system for the London Underground.
• Technical support for the UK Health and Safety Executives assessment of new build nuclear reactor types.
• Development of the software for the US National Security Agencys Tokeneer biometric security system.
• Safety partner for the Thales Watchkeeper Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV).

Altran Praxis will build safety and security critical software; develop innovative embedded software for new products and applications; act as a safety and security partner, consultant or independent assessor; conduct research for clients and develop inhouse tools and technology supporting embedded and critical systems. Embedded systems, safety and security are all strategic services for Altran, and with the merger of Praxis and SC2 by Altran we have focused and strengthened our offering in these growth areas, said Yves de Chaisemartin, Altran Group Chief Executive Officer. The creation of this new centre of excellence is in line with our strategy of investing to benefit our customers by delivering new capabilities based on expertise and innovation, which can be delivered globally across key industry sectors. Originally formed in 1983, Praxis has been part of Altran since 1997 and specialises in critical systems engineering. SC2, formerly owned by Continental, is a software research centre focused on embedded software and based in Sophia Antipolis on the French Côte dAzur. SC2 was acquired by Altran in 2008.