Secure industrial embedded IoT platform and edge computing is the outcome of the partnership announced by embedded computing specialist, Winsystems and open-operating systems provider, Foundries.io.
The alliance empowers mutual clients to securely deploy and maintain industrial IoT (IIoT) and edge devices in critical infrastructure and harsh environments.
The partners plan rapid and cost-efficient launch of IoT and edge products with built-in security and a platform compatibility which reduces risk through all lifecycle stages. There is an extended longevity of up to 20 years for maximum return on investments (ROI), says Winsystems.
US-based Winsystems has 39 years’ of experience in developing reliable embedded computer hardware for clients in the energy, transportation, industrial control, military and medical diagnostics sectors. It employs an efficient building-block approach to designing and manufacturing customised embedded computers for edge and IIoT applications.
The Foundries.io software underpins development, security and customisation through continuous integration and a containerised approach that can be easily scaled from small to large IIoT deployments.
According to George T Hillard, Winsystems’ technical sales director, the Foundries.io platform represents a “true breakthrough in edge device management and IIoT security”. “It is one of the most complete, scalable software platforms we have integrated,” he added.
Pairing Winsystems’ hardware with the FoundriesFactory cloud-based platform allows clients to focus on developing their applications and equips them to continuously add value to their deployed devices over the full product life cycle. Foundries.io applies industry-best practices for its built-in remote validation and secure over the air (OTA) update capabilities while enabling product designers to rapidly build and deploy connected products using their own IP and applications, sharply reducing time to market and engineering costs.
Platform compatibility reduces risk, extends longevity for maximum ROI
The powerful, integrated platform means that device creators do not have to select individual software and hardware components, which they then have to integrate. This takes resources away from product development and enhancement, increases risks of incompatibility between different layers of software and the underlying hardware which prolongs development time and creates potential security vulnerabilities.
Foundries.io is compatible with Linux-based IoT and edge products which means that companies no longer need to struggle with different development, security, OTA and applications solutions on their chosen hardware platforms, said Foundries.io’s CEO, George Grey. “Product designers can easily customise the open source secure firmware and OS in their own FoundriesFactory, adding their own or third-party IP, services and applications, or optionally using container technologies,” he explained.
The predictable, cost-efficient maintenance keeps clients’ edge devices secure and up-to-date, via the software’s micro services and containerised approach.
Foundries.io incorporates The Update Framework (TUF) to power its secure updates, authenticity and integrity. Robust, incremental updates optimise use of bandwidth and device resources, also making the TUF approach more efficient than competitors’ offerings.
This secure combination supports testing of package updates and builds prior to deployment. This enables clients to continuously add value to their deployed devices over the product life cycle. Winsystems says its reliable hardware operates for decades in the field, while Foundries.io enables 20-plus years of software security and updates.
