SILICA launches Smart Solutions Alliance for Intel® Atom™ based solutions

Distributor takes Intel, Microsoft and six leading embedded computing providers on board

Poing, Germany -- Semiconductor distributor SILICA, an Avnet company, announced the formation of the “Smart Solutions Alliance,” a partner network committed to driving the development and broad adoption of Intel’s Atom™ processor platform. The partner network will support customers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

The Smart µSolutions Alliance aims at significantly simplifying the implementation of embedded applications requiring high-performance and low-power operation. Silica will serve as a central point of contact for customers, facilitating their Intel® Atom™ based developments and allowing them to benefit from an experienced partner network. The Alliance members’ product range spans components, modules, system solutions, software, and customer-specific services.

The idea for the Alliance was developed by Silica and implemented in collaboration with Intel, Microsoft, Beckhoff Automation GmbH, E.E.P.D. GmbH, LiPPERT Embedded Computers GmbH, MEN Mikro Elektronik GmbH, MSC Vertriebs GmbH and PHYTEC Messtechnik GmbH.

According to Karlheinz Weigl, Silica VP Sales Central & Eastern Europe, the Smart ?Solutions Alliance will become the established one-stop shop for Intel® Atom™ solutions: “This partner network enables us to provide our customers with a bridge to the high-end controller market and make it easier for them to migrate from high-end ARM or PowerPC to x86 processors. Along with the Alliance, Silica now has the ideal infrastructure to achieve this, with dedicated technical Intel® Atom™ resources and access to a wide range of modules and system solutions.”

Andreas Sichtig, Sales & Applications Manager Intel at Silica, adds: “Since Intel introduced the Atom™ architecture, there are no more compromises on power consumption or space requirements, when performance, scalability or broad operating system- and peripheral support is needed. This is why the Atom™ technology is such a compelling proposition for many customers in the embedded sector. However, some developers are hesitant to take the plunge of a migration to x86 as they believe there are too many technical hurdles to be overcome. This is where the Smart µSolutions Alliance comes in, supporting companies with the tools and support they need for a seamless migration.”