Interestingly, non-traditional DP systems resemble traditional ones in many ways. Let’s just take the more extreme example of an in-vehicle user interface system (such as the i-Drive system of BMW).
In this case, the “clients” are the car owners, although the manufacturer has to model how an average car owner wants. Again, there is a set of goals to accomplish. For example, one of the goals may be “enhance safety”, and an often conflicting goal is “flexibility”. Specific functions include the ability to change climate control settings, view the rear-camera, change radio station, create play-lists, select suspension mode, review fuel efficiency and etc.
The systems analysts, often specialists in an automobile manufacturer who study human-vehicle interaction, design the blue print of the interface system. The specification includes the physical layout of screens, buttons, knobs and etc. It also includes the detailed designed of every screen, and how each event (button click, knob movement, screen tap and etc.) affects the state of the interface. In fact, many embedded systems are now specified by the same types of diagrams used for traditional DP systems.
The developers implements the actual code of the computer system(s) that functions as specified by the systems specification. Here, it is usually the development team who will select the proper hardware for the system. Furthermore, unlike a traditional DP system, the development team also includes electrical and computer engineers who are responsible for the design of the hardware.
The QA team in this case is just as important as that of a traditional DP system. A malfunction or defect of an in-car interface system can be quite dangerous.
The technical writers write the user’s manual that goes to the glove box of new cars. Because more cars now have a screen, a user’s manual can also be “online” and “on demand” in the system.
In this case, the system administrators are somewhat merged into the technicians of a dealership. These technicians maintain, repair and upgrade computer systems in a car. Interestingly, many cars now have optional satellite connections. This makes it possible for a car manufacturer to perform some of the system administration functions remotely.
Last, but not least, the help desk is the general customer service department of the manufacturer. Although the name is different, the customer service department overlaps many of the functions of the help desk of a traditional DP system.