MPC Data releases Linux KickStart Package

There is a compelling argument for using either OS, and both require an addition to the engineer’s skill set, but whatever decision is made - engineering teams need to get up to speed quickly and understand the issues and risks involved when moving to a High Level Operating System.

MPC Data's Embedded Linux Group has a dedicated team of experts who understand the challenges of developing a product from the ground up, and with a combined experience of over 200 man years are ideally placed to help Customers migrate to the complex world of Embedded Linux.

This experience combined with MPC Data’s extensive knowledge of the open source community has led to the release of a fixed price KickStart package to ease the way into your Embedded Linux design.

Neville Bulsara (MPC Data’s Business Development Manager) states “We have listened to our customers concerns about moving to a High Level Operating System, and whilst many companies contract us directly to provide the engineering effort required for the whole project, others just need a helping hand at the start up phase. We have tailored KickStart to meet these needs, offering a flexible package, addressing the initial training challenge as well as helping them to move forward with their project with hands-on development sessions”

MPC Data's 'KickStart' for embedded Linux offers a combination of consultancy and training delivered by experienced embedded Linux engineers.

This combination of consultancy and training will allow you to begin work on your latest embedded product with the assistance of an embedded Linux consultant, while at the same time having your engineering staff trained and immersed in real world Linux development.

There is a sizeable trend of embedded device designers and manufacturers moving over to embedded Linux as their device’s OS. This is due to several factors, the key ones being:

• Complexity of modern peripherals and SoC components lend themselves to having a mature OS and driver frameworks.

• Silicon vendors are increasingly moving over to Linux only driver support and example code.

• Rich peripheral sets becoming ubiquitous in modern consumer electronics.

• Reduced cost of complex high end SoC devices.

• Popularity of Linux due to the advantages of using open source applications and libraries

Many companies in the embedded space have identified this change in their market and understand the importance of their engineering teams building up the required new skills.

Jonathan Short (Linux Group Engineering Manager) says “MPC Data is always looking to innovate and provide companies with high value services. We believe that KickStart provides an essential package allowing companies new to the world of Embedded Linux an ideal starting point to get their engineers up to speed with the Diverse nature and multiplicity of Linux source code, knowledge and documentation, as well as empower them to immediately start work on their design”

KickStart from MPC Data allows you to get the most out of the training by tailoring the training and consultancy to your exact requirements, adding special emphasis on some of the following:

• Super fast booting devices – see swiftBoot.com

• GIT

• Android

• DSP and video/audio acceleration engines

• QT GUI & graphics

• Real-time Linux

• RTAI/Xenomai Real-time extensions