IBM, emWare Demonstrate Worldwide Access to Embedded Device Networks
Demonstration Shows Local Connectivity to the IBM Global Network from emWare-Enabled Devices for Pervasive Computing with 8- and 16-bit Embedded Devices
EMBEDDED SYSTEMS CONFERENCE WEST, SAN JOSE, CA (November 04, 1998) – – IBM and emWare,Inc. today joined forces to demonstrate technology that for the first time would allow local access and global availability of information, management and control of embedded electronic devices used in vending machines, utility meters, factory equipment, security systems and home appliances.
The inclusion of the emWare’s EMIT® (Embedded Micro Internetworking Technology) software in the IBM Global Network can create a cost-effective way to integrate devices using 8- and 16-bit microcontrollers (as well as 32- and 64-bit microcontrollers) with any network, anywhere in the world. The IBM Global Network, provided by IBM Global Services, offers the advantages of security and a fully-managed global network with the cost savings of local dial-in access.
“The combination of emWare’s EMIT software and our global network demonstrates the capability of pervasive computing, connecting embedded devices to a wide area network, rather than just local area networks, and paves the way for information from these devices to be easily integrated with customers’ business systems,” said Mike Grohman, vice president, global sales for network services, IBM Global Services. “Embedded technologies are an essential component of IBM’s pervasive computing strategy, helping to enable a world in which tens of billions of devices will connect to the network and conduct hundreds of billions of informational and financial transactions daily.”
“emWare’s technology is the only solution available that provides the unique business opportunity we are demonstrating with IBM Global Services,” said Michael D. Nelson, CEO and cofounder of emWare, Inc. “The ability to access, manage and control devices over the IBM Global Network demonstrates a new market for Internet Service Providers, adding millions of embedded devices as potential ISP users. The cost-effective access for devices through an ISP provides business opportunities unavailable today.”
The embedded device market includes any intelligent electronic product that uses a small microcontroller or microprocessor. Examples include vending machines, utility meters, home appliances, factory equipment, security systems, communication equipment and others.
“There are currently 10 times more embedded devices than desktop personal computers in use today, and this number will grow substantially as companies such as IBM build the robust infrastructure necessary to support pervasive computing,” said Grohman.
IBM Global Services delivers real business solutions and opens business opportunities for companies of all sizes and industries, saving the time and money involved in building and maintaining a private network. The IBM Global Network is one of the world’s largest data networks, serving 45,000 customer enterprises in 100 countries. The network includes more than 1,300 local dial access connection points in 52 countries.
emWare’s EMIT software is the only software that provides an appropriate solution for networking any embedded device, including those with 8- and 16-bit microcontrollers, without requiring an RTOS or TCP/IP stack at the device. EMIT’s distributed device networking architecture includes emMicro, a micro Web server requiring as little as 1Kb of memory at the device, and emGateway, which provides the link between lightweight device communications (such as RS232, RS484, IR, RF, I2C, etc.) and the Internet or other networks. The IBM and emWare demonstration integrates emGateway on the IBM Global Network, providing distribution of information from EMIT-enabled devices through a local dial up connection.
emWare and IBM Global Services demonstrated this technology in emWare’s booth (#2032) at the Embedded Systems Conference West this week in San Jose, Calif. IBM Global Services and emWare will work with select customers of both companies to develop pilot implementations through the first quarter of 1999.
Source: IBM