BELMONT, MASS. [Sept. 21, 2005]--Ada Resource Assoc. member, Praxis High Integrity Systems (Praxis HIS), has received high praise and global recognition from IEEE Spectrum magazine, the flagship publication of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (The IEEE), in its September issue.

In the article, called "The Exterminators," contributing editor Philip E. Ross features the British firm, highlighting their approach to the development of ultra-reliable computer systems. The article showcases the MULTOS CA–an ultra-secure smartcard certification authority that was developed by Praxis HIS for MasterCard International.

Praxis HIS has developed a world-class reputation within the software world for producing near defect-free software. Using mathematically based techniques, known as formal methods, Praxis HIS builds software with a simple creed: that defects should be systematically tracked down and ruthlessly exterminated during all stages of a project.

Although Praxis HIS is tiny when compared to the software giants such as Microsoft, Oracle and SAP, it has developed some highly complex and customized systems that need to be incredibly reliable. This includes air-traffic control systems and, more recently, a highly secure demonstration system for the NSA–the U.S. signals intelligence and cryptographic agency.

Commenting on Praxis HIS, John C. Knight, editor-in-chief of IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering and Professor of Computer Science at the University of Virginia, said, “They're very, very talented, with a very different approach.” Praxis's founders, he says, believed building software wasn't as hard as people made it out to be, “They thought it isn't rocket science, just very careful engineering.”

Peter Amey, Praxis Chief Technical Officer commented, “We're delighted that IEEE Spectrum has chosen to highlight the success of Praxis HIS. To be the focus of such a prestigious publication is a real coup for everyone connected with the company.”

IEEE Spectrum , with more than 360,000 readers in over 150 countries, explores the development, applications, and implications of new technologies and trends in engineering and science, providing a forum for understanding, discussion, and leadership in these areas.