Embedded real-time operating software specialist Wind River Systems Inc, Alameda, California reckons that Microsoft Corp’s plans to introduce the Microsoft At Work architecture for integrating and controlling mundane office equipment presents new market opportunities for embedded systems products – such as its own VxWorks. It reckons that if Microsoft is successful, it will stimulate demand for embedded operating systems and development tools by increasing demand for intelligent office products, and that VxWorks will find a role in helping manufacturers bring new embedded applications to market quickly and cheaply. VxWorks adheres to industry standards such as Posix and ANSI C, and if the Microsoft architecture becomes a de facto standard for office products, Wind River says it will provide full interoperability. It notes that over 2,000 applications, ranging from the New York City Traffic Light Control System to Hewlett-Packard Co’s X terminals, have been created and deployed using VxWorks.
