Just hit my news alert because I also own some WIND:
(BSNS WIRE) Wind River's Strategic Investment in Zaffire, Inc. to Accelerate Development of Software for Optical Networking Market Business Editors/High-Tech Writers ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 7, 2000--Wind River Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:WIND), a leading provider of software and services for smart devices in the Internet age, announced that its Wind River Ventures unit was a strategic investor in Zaffire's third round of venture funding, which was completed in June, 2000. Zaffire, based in San Jose, Calif., is a leading carrier-class optical networking company focused on developing a next-generation optical services platform for service providers worldwide. Wind River Ventures' investment in Zaffire has enabled Wind River to continue to play a growing role in the burgeoning optical networking market. As part of the strategic investment, Zaffire has committed to using Wind River as a standard supplier of embedded software for the company's products. The companies have also agreed to partner on future developments. "Integrating components of Wind River's Tornado integrated development environment and VxWorks real-time operating system into our product development environment helped us to bring to market the Z3000, the first purpose-built metro area Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM) solution to set a new benchmark for low total cost of ownership," commented Near Margalit, CEO for Zaffire. The Z3000 helps telecommunications service providers solve the problem of bandwidth capacity bottlenecks in the metro and regional market and intelligently manage the fiber optic links between long-haul carriage and last-mile access. "Wind River Ventures is helping Wind River accomplish strategic initiatives," commented Curt Schacker, vice president of Marketing and Corporate Development for Wind River. "By investing in private companies that are effectively positioned in emerging markets such as optical networking, Wind River can participate in its customers' success while improving its ability to serve that marketplace. As the markets for embedded software continue to get more complex, it is important to develop strategic partnerships with companies that enhance the overall value proposition of Wind River solutions." "By partnering with leading-edge companies such as Zaffire, Wind River is actively participating in the growth of optical networking," said Jim Ritchie, director of Business Development and Corporate Strategy for Wind River. "Through strategic relationships and investments in optical networking companies, we are also able to provide better software to the industry, further enhancing Wind River's position as the leading commercial supplier of software to next-generation networking companies." About Zaffire Zaffire, Inc. is a high-technology company focused on developing a next-generation, optical services networking system for service providers worldwide. Zaffire's breakthrough optical technologies have been well received by new-generation carriers, CLECs, RBOCs, and IXCs. Designed specifically for deployment in metro and regional-area networks, the Zaffire Advanced Optical Services Network Architecture gives service providers a new level of transport control over existing and emerging data, circuit, and lambda services. The solution also significantly reduces the total cost of ownership and provides service providers with a high level of flexibility to price and deliver differentiated service offerings. For more information, see www.zaffire.com. About Wind River Ventures Wind River Ventures is the strategic investment arm of Wind River. The fund is intended to expand opportunities with startups, who already represent a significant portion of Wind River's business, and will provide a forum for collaboration on leading edge technologies that will help shape the future of embedded computing. Wind River Ventures will target investments in early-stage companies focusing on wireless communications, data and optical networking, semiconductors, and communications software as well as Internet appliance and other high-growth markets that are strategically aligned with Wind River. For more information, go to www.windriver.com/ventures/index.html About Wind River Wind River, www.windriver.com, is a worldwide leader in embedded software. Wind River provides software development tools, real-time operating systems, and advanced connectivity for use in products throughout the Internet, telecommunications and data communications, digital imaging, digital consumer electronics, networking, medical, computer peripherals, automotive, industrial automation and control, and aerospace/defense markets. Wind River is how smart things think. Founded in 1983, Wind River is headquartered in Alameda, Calif., with operations in sixteen countries worldwide. Note to Editors: Wind River Systems, the Wind River Systems logo, VxWorks, and Tornado are registered trademarks of Wind River Systems, Inc. All other names mentioned are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of their respective companies. --30--jr/sf* CONTACT: Wind River Tabitha Steager, 510/749-2470 tabitha.steager@windriver.com windriver.com KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORKING SOFTWARE HARDWARE INTERNET Today's News On The Net - Business Wire's full file on the Internet with Hyperlinks to your home page. URL: businesswire.com *** end of story *** |