Device Software Optimization: How the Game Has Changed and How to Compete
The game for device manufacturers has changed. Today you are differentiating with software, not hardware. In the past couple years a seminal shift has taken place in device development. It has changed the way you develop device software—the methodology, the tools, the software platform you use. You face new and evolving device requirements and intensified competitive pressures. We understand.
On the device side, you are challenged by increasing complexity, converging technologies, and multiple ways to connect. No less daunting are the competitive, global pressures you face: product commoditization, shrinking product cycles and market windows, and increasingly demanding customers. You need a solution that goes beyond piecemeal product and service offerings. A solution that helps you develop, run, and manage device software. You need Device Software Optimization (DSO).
DSO Defined
DSO is a methodology that enables companies to develop, run, and manage device software faster, better, at lower cost, and more reliably. While many companies offer solutions for developing device software, they typically only provide ways to tune it, deploy it, manage it, or maintain it—and not in one comprehensive solution. To us, that isn't DSO at all. At Wind River, we began talking about the concept of "device software optimization" more than 25 years ago; in fact, we coined the term.
Given our unique perspective, there are four DSO tenets that customers should be concerned with:
- Standardization: You can't reuse software if you don't have standards. It's that simple. We believe extensible, reusable programs are a mandate in this new model. They must be reusable across multiple projects and programs across the enterprise.
- Choice and flexibility: In addition to open source technology, a DSO solution should focus on open standards. By embracing both, you benefit from choice and flexibility and don't get locked into any one-vendor solution.
- Partnering: Few vendors provide it all. It's important to work with a vendor that has a world-class partner ecosystem that includes board manufacturers, semiconductors, and tools, services, and run-time software technology leaders. All can add value to your products and support capabilities and business strategies.
- Global best practices: By applying best practices, your entire DSO solution comes together. We think that comprehensive services, support, and training are essential.
