Firmware management tool

A method of managing a firmware development process, comprising:

• saving a firmware source code and a firmware object code in a firmware file;
• archiving the firmware file in an archive;
• saving edits to the firmware file;
• and
• assigning a status selected from a private status, a test status, and a public status to the firmware file,
• wherein the status is also stored in the archive, wherein the private status corresponds to a design stage in the development process, the test status corresponds to a reviewing stage, and the public status corresponds to a manufacturing stage, and wherein the private status and the test status restrict access to the firmware file to at least one authorized user, and wherein assigning the public status includes assigning a part number to the firmware file that provides an indication that the firmware file is ready to be burned onto a chip and wherein the firmware file cannot be accessed to be burned onto a chip if the part number is not associated with the firmware file.

A firmware management system, comprising:

• a firmware management tool that assigns a status to a firmware file corresponding to a stage in a development process of the firmware file, the assigned status being stored in an archive with the firmware file, the firmware management tool assigns a part number to a firmware file when the assigned status corresponding to the coding in the firmware file indicates that the coding is ready to be burned onto a chip such that the firmware file cannot be used to be burned onto a chip if the assigned part number is not associated with the firmware file;
• a memory that stores a plurality of firmware files and that is accessible by the firmware management tool;
• and
• a user interface for accessing the firmware management tool.