Software Services: Expertise, Know-How & Connections - Your Complete Software Partner

Avnet Silica goes beyond distributing the building blocks for your next project. We offer comprehensive software services backed by a team of embedded software and system engineering experts across the EMEA region. Our team isn't just about moving boxes; they possess the deep technical know-how to provide software-centric project support, training, consulting, and full-fledged software engineering support. This expertise extends beyond individual components, as our engineers are specialists in system-level evaluation and architectural consulting, ensuring your project is built on a solid foundation from the start.

Our aim is to start engaging with you by discussing the application or system you would like to create and then dive deeper by:

  • Analyzing the data flow (bandwidth, latency)
  • Discussing the implications on software (drivers, licenses, longevity)
  • Discussing production, system live cycles and update processes
  • Analyzing safety and security implications and work on an appropriate security concept that fits this analysis right (security should NEVER be an afterthought)

CONTACT OUR EXPERTS

Useful jump links: 

Our Core Software Services for Microsoft and Linux

Discover

Evaluation

Design

Production

Maintenance

✔ Technologies

✔ SoC Architectures

✔ Systems / Platforms

✔ Certifications

✔ Cost Reduction

✔ Benchmarking

✔ Corner Cases

✔ Prototyping

✔ Tools

✔ Licensing

 

✔ Engineering

✔ Project Management

 

✔ Provisioning

✔ Platforms

✔ Re-use

✔ Longevity

✔ Security

✔ Platforms

✔ Obsolescence Management 

✔ System-Level Evaluation

✔ Architecture Consulting

✔ Evaluation Support

✔ Proof of Concept

✔ Service Positioning

✔ Contract Engineering Services

✔ Avnet Ecosystem

✔ Long-Term Maintenance

✔ Community Maintenance

✔ Technical Debt Management

Key Embedded Software and Microsoft Licensing 

Embedded / IoT system stands for a computing system or device with an image, designed for a dedicated task. It’s not marketed or usable as a general purpose personal computing device (such as a personal computer), a multi-function server or a commercially viable substitute for one of these systems. Typically, embedded and IoT computing refers to any system performing a fixed function or used with a specific embedded software application. These are systems that the end user mostly cannot modify. Customers have to sign a Microsoft Embedded OEM agreement to use embedded licenses for their products. The embedded channel is a closed channel, meaning sub-distribution of embedded licenses is prohibited and the customer (OEM) has to bundle the licenses with hardware to an embedded system.

 

Key Embedded Software

Microsoft Licensing Steps

✔ Windows Server IoT

✔ Windows 11 IoT Enterprise 2024

✔ Windows 11 IoT Enterprise

✔ Windows 11 IoT Enterprise on ARM

✔ Windows 11 IoT Enterprise 2021

✔ Windows 11 IoT Enterprise 2019

✔ Windows 11 IoT Enterprise 2016

✔ Windows 11 IoT Enterprise 2015

✔ Windows 10 IoT Core

✔ Windows 10 Enterprise

✔ Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro Retail 

✔ Windows POSReady 7 

Head over to our dedicated Microsoft Embedded website to learn more about our key embedded software.

LEARN MORE

Stage 1

✔ Pre-Sales

✔ Embedded OEM Customer License Agreement (OEM CLA)

✔ Additional Licensing Provisions (ALP)

Stage 2

✔ Sign OEM CLA (Agreement)

✔ OEM Preinstallation Kit (OPK)

Stage 3

✔ Runtime Licenses

Stage 4

✔ Runtime Key (PID)

Stage 5

✔ Distribution

✔ Certificate of Authenticity (COA)

✔ End User License Agreement (EULA)

Head over to our dedicated Microsoft Embedded website to learn more about our licensing process.

LEARN MORE

Security Should Never be an Afterthought

We strongly believe that security should never be an afterthought and should be considered right in the architectural phase of a project. In many cases, our security experience is used from the beginning of a project to engage into discussions about requirements and potential approaches, then moving from Security aspects to system-level design, software enablement and finally component discussions. Some of the potential topics where we can provide value to your project are listed below. 

 

DEVICE MANAGEMENT & PROVISIONING SOLUTIONS
 
 
CYBER RESILIENCE ACT SOLUTIONS
 
 

Operating System Security

Hardware-Assisted Security 

Cloud / IIoT Security

Security Analysis and Evaluation

Security Lifecycle Management

✔ Improving software security for GNU/Linux using ARM Trustzone, Containers or Hypervisors

✔ Trusted Computing Base Optimisation (RTOS, TEE-OS)

✔ Integrating and combining TPMs, Secure Elements and on-chip security modules to achieve an optimal solution

✔ Resolving conflicts with free software licenses when using secure or authenticated boot

✔ Secure authentication and connection

✔ Remote attestation

✔ Secure update concepts

✔ Threat modelling, risk assessment and countermeasures

✔ System security concepts from a system (Software, Hardware and Methodology) viewpoint

✔ Total cost of ownership analysis and optimisation

✔ Move to production (system lockdown, secure deployment flows)

✔ Ensuring system security over the complete product lifecycle 

✔ Common vulnerability and exposure tracking   

Microsoft vs Linux – Trade-Offs and the Impact of The Cyber Resilience Act

For many computer users, the choice of operating system (OS) is not a consideration. New laptops come bundled with either Windows or Mac OS, or corporate IT policy mandates (usually) Windows and company machines are locked down. Software developers, other professional users and serious hobbyists, however, have very different requirements for an OS and need features and levels of access that do not apply to the average business or home user.

Due mainly to their respective origins, traditional wisdom is that Windows is for normal users while Linux is for professionals, but this position is no longer true as both systems have evolved and continue to do so. This article looks at the benefits and downsides of each OS and also considers how the EU’s upcoming Cyber Resilience Act, (CRA), may affect decision makers.

Read More
Microsoft vs Linux - code on screen

Part of a Wider Ecosystem

Not only do we have an EMEA-wide team of technical experts, we also work closely with strategic embedded vision and software partners to broaden our offering. 

Allied Vision - A Partnership on all Levels

Headquartered in Germany, with strategic locations in Canada, the United States, Singapore, and China, Allied Vision boasts a widespread presence, further reinforced by EMEA-wide distribution via Avnet Silica. This partnership ensures that customers across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa can access the cutting-edge solutions and unparalleled expertise offered by Allied Vision.

Learn More
Allied Vision Logo

Witekio - Optimal Performance from the Lower Levels up

Witekio pride themselves on a code-first approach that’s backed up by a hardware mindset. Due to the rise of connected products, software is becoming more complex, and therefore so is the knowledge base you need to successfully create and integrate an embedded system. Witekio's expert team creates crystal-clear custom code for each and every project they work on. Each line and </> is there to boost the operation, security, and reliability of a system. Getting it right is non-negotiable.

Learn More
Witekio Logo

Pitfalls we Help Customers Avoid

Our deep knowledge on the hardware and software side is essential for every customer’s design to avoid pitfalls from the very beginning. As we work directly with our suppliers, we have access to resources and information that most simply do not have. This, in addition with the experience of hundreds of already supported designs creates a deep knowledge base and provides great value.

Security

Secure Device Provisioning & Management

A key facet of our security strategy lies in facilitating seamless device connectivity. Recognizing that security begins with pre-configuration, we empower our customers to ready their products for connection with ease.

Man on laptop configuring device security
Learn More

MSEmbedded

Microsoft Windows Embedded Solutions

Visit Avnet's dedicated Microsoft Windows Embedded site to learn more about our key software and licensing processes.

Microsoft Logo
Learn More

Security

The EU Cyber Resilience Act

Learn more about the EU Cyber Resilience Act and what it means for OEMs. Explore Avnet Silica and partner solutions.

EU Cyber Resilience Act
Learn More

Technology

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

Avnet Silica helps you discover new solutions, applications and technologies for Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning.

We make your devices smarter - image of a camera wearing glasses
Learn More

IoT

IoTConnect

You need to leverage new technologies like AI, deep learning and data mining to make the most of your investment. You also need to understand the data journey, from edge to enterprise. This is where IoTConnect becomes your most powerful tool.

IoTConnect - Lightbulb with connectivity icons around it
Learn More

Using the wrong part(s) during the design process

Using the wrong parts for a design can be a costly mistake, especially if you realise this before it's too late. We ensure that the parts used in your designs will work smoothly when it comes to integrating software into the build.

Software system design - choosing the right parts for a design

Integrating security that doesn't adhere to relevant standards

Especially with the New EU Cyber Resilience Act incoming... Avoid costly rework! Avnet Silica helps choose secure hardware & software early, saving time and money on your design.

Software Security - Padlock surrounded by stars and code

Going well over budget from over complex designs

Our team of expert engineers know how to maximise budgets to ensure you get the best possible end-result. Time after time we see OEMs go needlessly over budget.

Software engineering - overcomplicated designs

Ignoring scalability & overlooking platform limitations

We consider future growth and ensure your design can handle increased usage or functionality. We understand the capabilities and limitations of different software platforms and can advise on designs that work best within those constraints.

Rice terraces to indicate scalability

We have defined a number of Technology Focus Points. For these topics, we are engaging with various suppliers to develop, enhance and customize their software enablement to provide even better solutions to our customers and help you secure projects for Avnet Silica.

Tech Focus Points

TSN has been a major topic in industrial automation for some time, and “TSN – enabled” SoCs and FPGA IP cores are becoming available from multiple suppliers. Although many of these solutions proudly claim to have “TSN support”, the picture is different when digging deeper.

TSN Offering

We believe that security should never be an afterthought and should be considered right in the architectural phase of a project. In many cases, our security experience is used right from the start of a project to engage in discussions about requirements and potential approaches.

Security Offering

TuxVision is a reference design and shows capabilities of a GStreamer based design implemented in high performance Xilinx MPSoC. As a simple demonstration, the video-streams of 4 Full-HD cameras are partitioned on 4 quadrants of a 4K screen.

TuxVision

Tools

Design Hub

Browse and review over a thousand proven reference designs to accelerate your design process. Try our design tool and then export it to your CAD tool of choice.

START YOUR DESIGN
Contact us

Submit your inquiry via the form below.

 
 

Solutions

Internet of Things

Avnet Silica has the perfect supplier offering to enable you to put your product development into the Internet of Things.

Learn more

Technical support

Online Support Service

Our European team of expert engineers is dedicated to helping you solve your technical challenges. Get support for a specific product, get technical advice or find alternatives for a specific product.

Person sitting in front of computer with headset
Get Started

Contact us

Have a question?

Int. Freecall - 00800 412 412 11 | Product or shop-related inquiries: OnlineSupportEU@avnet.com | Content-related questions: yourmessage@avnet.eu

Contact Details