Abstract
Background: Bidirectional data pipelines have emerged as a
response to the evolving needs of modern data ecosystems. Traditionally,
unidirectional pipelines allowed data to flow in a single direction,
limiting interaction. The surge in demand for real-time bidirectional
communication prompted the development of pipelines that enable two-way
data flow, facilitating seamless and dynamic exchanges between source
and destination. Objective: The research aims to delve into the
role of bidirectional data pipelines within the companies producing and
selling software-intensive embedded systems products. Further, the study
endeavors to elucidate the fundamental differences between
unidirectional and bidirectional data pipelines, shedding light on their
unique characteristics. Through comprehensive exploration, it seeks to
discern the benefits and challenges inherent in implementing and
maintaining bidirectional data pipelines. Furthermore, a critical aspect
of the research involves outlining the intricate steps and
considerations essential for migrating from unidirectional to
bidirectional data pipelines. This includes a focus on prerequisites,
methodologies, and the potential benefits derived from such a
transition. Method: This study employs a qualitative research
approach centered around a multiple-interpretive case study to delve
into the complexities of bidirectional data pipelines. Five distinct use
cases have been meticulously selected to provide a comprehensive
understanding of various aspects of bidirectional data pipelines.
Through the in-depth analysis of these concrete use cases, this research
aims to elucidate the intricacies, benefits, and challenges associated
with bidirectional data pipelines in software-intensive embedded systems
environment. Results: The study yielded insightful results on
various aspects of bidirectional data pipelines, emphasizing their
distinctions from unidirectional data pipelines without a shared data
transmission channel. It uncovered the compelling need for bidirectional
data pipelines in modern data-centric environments, where the dynamic
exchange of information between source and destination is pivotal. The
identified benefits ranged from enhanced real-time data synchronization
to improved responsiveness in addressing evolving business requirements.
Concurrently, the study elucidated inherent challenges, such as
increased complexity in pipeline management and potential security
considerations. Moreover, the research provided a nuanced understanding
of the stepwise process involved in transitioning from unidirectional to
bidirectional data pipelines. Conclusion: The study underscores
the pivotal role of bidirectional data pipelines in meeting evolving
data requirements, offering benefits like real-time synchronization and
improved decision-making. Despite their importance, there is a lack of
comprehensive research on bidirectional pipelines, prompting the need
for further exploration. The transitional journey involves addressing
challenges such as data consistency and security concerns while
optimizing system design for compatibility. For researchers, the study
suggests avenues for optimizing bidirectional pipeline performance,
examining long-term impacts, scalability, and real-time anomaly
detection. Practitioners can leverage insights for informed
decision-making in transitioning to bidirectional data pipelines,
aligning organizational needs with their benefits and challenges.