Wind River Systems, GoAhead Software Simplify Field Upgrades for Internet Appliances, Network Devices
Business Wire - September 28, 1999 08:18
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 28, 1999--
Commercial-Off-The-Shelf Solution Now Gives OEMs Cost-Effective Alternative to Building Proprietary Systems
Wind River Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:WIND), the leader in embedded development software and services for the post-PC era, and GoAhead(R) Software, the leading developer of management software for communications infrastructure and Internet appliances, announced today that GoAhead FieldUpgrader(TM) 2.1 will be available from Wind River. Certified compatible with Wind River's Tornado(TM) development platform, GoAhead FieldUpgrader gives Internet appliance and network infrastructure manufacturers a simple and cost-effective way to automatically upgrade any device built with Wind River's Tornado and VxWorks software.
Dynamic field upgrading software automatically searches out and pulls down updates to an Internet-enabled device's software or firmware - no recall of software or end user action is required. To update their devices with the latest features even after they are sold to end users, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have traditionally created their own software upgrading systems. Commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) field upgrading software gives OEMs a cost-effective alternative to investing the time and associated development costs of building their own solutions.
With GoAhead FieldUpgrader, OEMs get the added value of an upgrading solution designed specifically for products built with Wind River's market-share leading development software. Ideal for Internet-enabled devices such as office equipment or consumer products as well as networking environments such as switches and routers, GoAhead FieldUpgrader is the only secure, COTS remote upgrading software available. It is also certified Tornado-compatible by Wind River, reducing the time developers spend on integration and helping them deliver their products to market faster.
"Internet-enabled embedded devices often have no provision for providing software upgrades and building proprietary systems can be expensive," said Curt Schacker, vice president of marketing at Wind River Systems. "In addition, they are often sold in high volume through third party resellers, making them difficult to track. A dynamic upgrading solution resolves these issues while also significantly enhancing the end user's experience by regularly giving them new features. Because so many Internet devices today are made with Wind River software, a Tornado-certified edition of GoAhead FieldUpgrader gives OEMs and end users a great solution."
"Teaming with market leader Wind River allows GoAhead Software to help thousands of VxWorks customers reduce their support costs and differentiate their products by providing a live connection to devices and appliances via the Internet," said Michael O'Brien, chief executive officer of GoAhead.
Dynamic Upgrading Made Simple
GoAhead FieldUpgrader enables devices to periodically "phone home" to an upgrade server via the Internet. The devices can then be remotely updated with the latest software upgrades at anytime and anyplace. GoAhead FieldUpgrader eliminates the need for users to call tech support lines to receive assistance on upgrades, have a technician come out to upgrade the software inside their devices, or even be aware that an upgrade has taken place. In addition to scalability to millions of devices, the product includes a Web-based development environment and wizard-like tools to enable manufacturers to rapidly develop and deploy self-upgrading devices.
Wind River Systems, Inc.
Wind River Systems, Inc., windriver.com, is the worldwide leader in embedded software. Wind River provides software development tools and real-time operating systems for use in products throughout the Internet, telecommunications and data communications, digital imaging, networking, medical, computer peripherals, automotive, and aerospace/defense markets. Wind River is how smart things think. Founded in 1983, Wind River is headquartered in Alameda, California, with operations in fifteen countries worldwide.
GoAhead Software, Inc.
GoAhead Software (http://www.goahead.com) is the leading developer of management software for communications infrastructure and Internet appliances. The company leverages Internet standards to address the problem of managing devices and appliances from a unique orientation -- from inside the device. GoAhead's solutions enable manufacturers to reduce or eliminate the need for costly and ineffective external management and support by using the intelligence resident in the device or appliance to internally manage faults and upgrades. The privately held company was formed in 1995 and is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington.
Note to Editors:
GoAhead is a registered trademark of GoAhead Software, Inc. GoAhead FieldUpgrader is a trademark of GoAhead Software, Inc. Wind River Systems, the Wind River Systems logo and VxWorks are registered trademarks of Wind River Systems, Inc. Tornado is a trademark of Wind River Systems, Inc. Other names are registered trademarks or trademarks of the respective companies or organizations.
CONTACT: Wind River Systems, Inc.
Pamela Sufi, 510/749-2340
pamela.sufi@wrs.com
windriver.com
or
GoAhead Software
Ariana Nikitas, 425/468-5420
arianan@goahead.com
goahead.com
|
