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Technology Stocks : Wind River going up, up, up! -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: James Connolly who wrote (4288)	2/17/1999 3:21:00 PM
From: Allen Benn	Respond to of 10309

Tornado for Automotive Applications I'm not surprised about the Street's indifference to WIND's auto toolset announcement, but long-time WIND followers should be exhilarated. For new followers, let me explain why. Automotive Controls represents a huge prize for the commercial embedded systems sector, one WIND has been aggressively pursuing since 1993 at least. That was the year WIND completed against other RTOS companies to win a contract with GM to develop a customized RTOS specifically for automotive controls. WIND won the contract in early 1994, and began to fashion a special-purpose RTOS out of VxWorks. Unlike usual ports to 32-bit or more processors, GM designated the Siemens 16-bit family as the target processor. While 32-bit processors are the normal home for commercial RTOSs, the 16-bit Siemens is popular for automotive controls, particularly in Europe, clearly impressing GM. I don't know why WIND called the custom OS built for GM WindStream. Maybe it was because it was a “stream”lined version of VxWorks, or maybe because if most WIND tools flow like the Wind River, then this specialized, 16-bit version flows like a “Wind Stream”. In any case, presumably GM is now using WindStream for the fuel injector controls on all diesel vehicles starting this model year. They are also using the OS to control other functions inside the automobile, like electric transmissions. Even with hands-on experience with auto controls, WIND has struggled to entice the auto industry to use a commercial RTOS for controls and pay up for intellectual property. But they pursued, persisted and pursued more. Over the last few years, the European auto makers began to recognize the need for standards for connecting auto controls and basic operating system services. WIND has helped the industry hammer out these standards. Last year, WIND made the strategic investment in 3Soft, the German software company focused on embedded control software primarily in the auto sector. WIND even helps sponsor a Volvo racing car in order to get WIND logo recognition the European auto sector. The only other significant software company I know that is trying the break into the auto control business is INTS. For years, INTS has done well selling their MatrixX system design and simulation software to the auto industry, and has always wanted that business to lead to control system implementation using pSOS. They also have participated in the OSEK standards body, and have a version of pSOS that claims to be OSEK compliant. WIND's announcement specifically mentions Telelogic, I-Logic and MathWorks as simulation partners, in order to counter any advantage INTS might have in selling the notion that final product might flow from design and simulation models. Not only is simulation available with Tornado, but you can pick the one you think is best of breed. (Software design and simulation engineers are religious about the underlying software model reflected in various packages.) The announcement also specifically mentioned the 16-bit Siemen's processor family. I don't know any mainstream RTOS company that supports that processor besides WIND. After completing WindStream for GM, one of Siemen's major customers forced Siemen's to contract with WIND to port over the entire VxWorks to the chip. If the Siemen's 16-bit processor remains the chip of choice among European auto companies, the WIND has another huge leg up on the competition. The endorsement by Dr. Sesser of BMW's Research and Consulting Department suggests that BMW already has an agreement with WIND for automotive controls. Otherwise, I doubt that WIND would call attention to BMW's past involvement with WIND's tools for automotive applications – for competitive reasons. If BMW is on board, one suspects others may be in final negotiations, or else the announcement would have been delayed. The point is that WIND's hand in automotive controls is very strong, but even so they wouldn't tip it unless they are extremely confident that they are in (automotive) control.<g> Automotive Controls is the holy grail of embedded systems, because, once established, the barrier to new entrants will be sky-high. Auto companies are cautious to a fault because of potential liabilities. Once they get something that works, and they make the huge commitment to use it, and it pervades many aspects of modern automobile design and production, then that thing is golden. And don't forget Ron's claim that GM will ship more computer power in the year 2000 than IBM. Automobile Controls will be worth the wait and the effort. Allen

To: James Connolly who wrote (4288)	2/19/1999 8:12:00 AM
From: dppl	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 10309

WIND technically could give some slippage on downside. Volume has been very light and that isn't bullish at this point. However we'll know the full story next week moving up to earnings. I have no doubt WIND will move up sooner or later. For the moment there is a lot of caution There was some light accumulation of 15K blocks during the last week but there is no meaningful accumulation pattern yet. Block sells have disappeared. There is a slight chance of a second bottom being put in under 20 but I think it's more likely we stay range bound 21-23 until earnings. A slip under 20 before Wednesday PM would bring me in as a buyer. DPPL