ESC 2010 opened yesterday at Hynes Convention Center in Boston. Exhibitors representing a wide range of embedded technologies showcased their embedded products seeking to address a common theme: customers are seeking a single technology solution that addresses all of their hardware needs. Most embedded customers wish to avoid creating a solution from disparate parts, but would like an adaptable, integrated product to satisfy their embedded technology requirements.
VDC observed several common topics at ESC such as the need for adaptability, reduced power consumption, ease of use and decreased cost. Embedded customers are increasingly looking for solutions that give them flexibility to adapt to changing markets both today and into the future. Reducing power consumption while improving performance continues as a theme that many companies, for example in the Mil/Aero or medical markets, are concerned about. Most customers in the embedded community are seeking comprehensive embedded solutions that meet these different needs. As budgets come under increasing scrutiny, the strategy is all about obtaining the optimal solution at the most competitive price.
During an ESC industry keynote address, Kevin Dallas, representing Microsoft's Windows Embedded group, discussed the next generation of embedded devices and their connection with the networked Cloud. He spoke about the alignment of Windows Embedded with the Management & Security division to provide new development opportunities for OEMs. The goal is to provide users with increasingly connected devices worldwide and with a more personal experience while using embedded technologies.
Among the many exhibitors at ESC, Actel Corporation was there exhibiting its new SmartFusion technology, which incorporates analog, MCU, and FPGA all into one architecture. According to Actel, several key design benefits of this technology are:
-Improved full design customization
-Greater intellectual property (IP) protection
-Better ease of use
While touring the exhibit floor, VDC analysts also viewed Dell’s OEM Solutions presentation. As it looks to gain share in the embedded space, Dell is seeking to help customers streamline their design process and give customers the tools needed to achieve this objective. With these capabilities, Dell hopes to expand its presence in the embedded technology markets from its traditional PC/server industry.
IBM also displayed its Smarter Planet
vision. With increasing ability to capture data, the Smarter Planet concept is designed to harness information for the purposes of improving efficiencies in diverse markets, from energy to healthcare. For instance, IBM’s Rational Software enables companies to
better prototype their products and gain an edge by reducing embedded technology’s
time to market.
At the end of the ESC events on Tuesday, VDC presented its 2010 Hardware Embeddy Award. The choice was a difficult one given the great embedded technology solutions on display. After review, VDC recognized Actel Corporation with the award for addressing this need for adaptable, integrated solutions with their SmartFusion product.
The overall message is that customers are seeking over-arching solutions that address all their needs in a single package. At the corporate level, utilities are seeking to bring together different technologies to upgrade for the smart grid. Meanwhile, at a personal level, home users are looking to bring much of their multimedia onto one platform. Embedded technology companies are hoping to provide comprehensive solutions across this broad spectrum of customers.
As embedded applications require increasing levels of capability and resources, it would seem to overlap with the focus Dell OEM is directing towards the space. By leveraging a global supply chain as well as service/support and design tools focused on the embedded market, the cost (and time) to design, de-bug, deploy, and support will all come down.
Posted by: Corbin Moore | 09/24/2010 at 10:04 AM