New Rugged Platform from GE Allows FACE™ Developers to Minimize Cost, Risk and Time-to-Market

Press release:

31 July 2012

New Rugged Platform from GE Allows FACE™ Developers to Minimize Cost, Risk and Time-to-Market

 

• FACEREF1 is a complete, ready-to-run hardware platform
• Provides optimal support for Wind River Systems, Presagis software
• High performance, high Technology Reference Level

HUNTSVILLE, AL July 31, 2012 GE Intelligent Platforms (NYSE: GE) announced the FACEREF1 Software Reference Platform today at the FACE™ Consortium Meeting (PEO Aviation, Huntsville, AL). The FACEREF1 platform is designed to allow organizations developing FACE-compliant applications to take advantage of a COTS (commercial off-the-shelf) solution that is pre-configured, pre-validated and pre-tested – reducing risk, cost and time-to-market. It provides a platform for customers to try COTS software, develop application code, and demonstrate capabilities on a rugged platform that is capable of being deployed on real airborne platforms.

The Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE™) Consortium, an Open Group Managed Consortium, is leading the development of open standards for avionics systems. The Consortium is creating a technologically appropriate open FACE reference architecture, standards and business model that will ensure interoperability, increase portability, promote innovation and competition, bring advanced capabilities to the warfighter faster and lower implementation costs.

The FACE Consortium provides a vendor-neutral forum for industry and the U.S. government to work together to develop and consolidate the open standards, best practices, guidance documents and business models necessary to achieve these results.

GE is working closely with Wind River Systems and Presagis to ensure that the two companies’ software roadmaps for FACE-compliant operating system, OpenGL and HMI tools work “out of the box” on the FACEREF1 hardware platform.

“A key objective of the FACE initiative is to create an environment in which advanced, yet proven, computing technologies can be deployed to the warfighter faster and at lower cost,” said Rod Rice, General Manager, Military & Aerospace Products, GE Intelligent Platforms. “The FACEREF1 platform allows these objectives to be met by taking advantage of an off-the-shelf, high performance solution that features a high Technology Reference Level (TRL), that is ready to run, and that eliminates the time, risk and cost that would be incurred by developers creating a solution in-house.“

GE’s FACEREF1 Software Reference Platform is a complete, rugged subsystem that features GE’s SBC312 single board computer and PMCCG1graphics PMC. The SBC312 is based on Freescale™’s Power Architecture™ P4080 8-core processor yet has the power envelope of previous dual core systems, while the PMCCG1 features the high performance/low power S3 2300E GPU (graphics processing unit). The interface between the CPU and GPU is via a 4-lane PCI Express® to PCI-X® bridge, allowing high-bandwidth connectivity between the two processors.

For more information: http://defense.ge-ip.com/products/3687.

About GE

GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.

A high res image can be found at:www.genewscenter.com/ImageLibrary/detail.asp?MediaDetailsID=4901

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GE Announces Rugged COM Express Module to Deliver High Performance and Reliability in Multi-Display Applications

Press release:

26 July 2012

GE Announces Rugged COM Express Module to Deliver High Performance and Reliability in Multi-Display Applications

 

• Features latest Intel® Core™ i7 dual- and quad-core processors
• Supports multiple simultaneous displays
• Ruggedization allows deployment in harshest environments

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA July 26, 2012 GE Intelligent Platforms (NYSE: GE) today announced the latest addition to the company’s growing range of COM Express modules with the launch of its highest performance offering to date, the rugged bCOM6-L1400. Taking advantage of the significant processing and graphics capabilities of the recently-announced Intel® Core™ i7 processor, the bCOM6-L1400 can support multiple independent displays in a wide variety of commercial, industrial, transportation and defense applications in a broad range of embedded computing environments.

The launch of the bCOM6-L1400 further expands GE’s range of rugged COM Express solutions following a series of announcements. The most recent of these was the launch of the rugged bCOM6-L1200 – which features a range of five VIA Nano™ and VIA Eden™ processor options - in February.

By separating the carrier card from the processor, the COM Express architecture extends the useful life of the subsystem by allowing simple, cost-effective upgrade of the processor alone. This reduces long term cost of ownership while ensuring that performance keeps pace with changing needs.

Offered with a choice of either a dual-core or quad-core processor for maximum flexibility and enabling customers to select the optimum price-performance/watt combination for the planned application, the bCOM6-L1400 takes advantage of GE’s extensive experience and expertise in the design and development of rugged COM Express modules. It also complements GE Intelligent Platforms’ extensive portfolio of rugged embedded computingsolutions that includes single board computers, multiprocessors, Ethernet switches, displays and networking.

The bCOM6-L1400 can be confidently deployed in the harshest, most challenging environments that are subject to extremes of temperature, vibration, shock and contaminants. Its components are specifically selected for reliable operation in hostile environments, and the processor and memory are soldered to the board for the highest possible resistance to external forces.

Extended mechanical construction protects the module, which is designed for optional conformal coating for even greater resistance to moisture, dust, chemicals, and temperature extremes. Sophisticated dynamic thermal management optimizes uptime and helps prevent damage to the system.

GE is able to provide customers with the support necessary to enable them to develop their own carrier card configurations, or to provide custom carrier card variants on request. This ability provides significant flexibility to systems integrators looking to create unique, high value-added solutions.

“The bCOM6-L1400 is a further example of GE’s rugged high performance platform strategy in action, and of our commitment to bringing the most recent processor technologies to market as rapidly as possible,” said Steve Pavlovsky, Product General Manager, Control & Communication Systems, GE Intelligent Platforms. “The COM Express architecture is ideal for OEMs looking to reduce developments costs, minimize risk and time to market and to provide the lowest possible cost of ownership. With the announcement of GE’s bCOM6-L1400, those customers get not just the benefits of COM Express and of Intel’s latest processor, but also outstanding performance, exceptional flexibility, remarkable robustness – and the commitment to customer satisfaction for which GE is renowned.”

As well as its graphics capabilities (VGA, LVDS with dual channel support and SDVO/TMDS/DisplayPort over DDI), the bCOM6-L1400 features up to 8GBytes of DDR3 memory, Gigabit Ethernet and four SATA interfaces, with support for both RAID 0 and RAID 1. Also provided for optimum connectivity are eight USB 2.0 ports and four USB 3.0 ports.

About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.

For more technical information: http://www.ge-ip.com/account/download/13246/3649

A high res image can be found at:www.genewscenter.com/ImageLibrary/detail.asp?MediaDetailsID=4877

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Business Intelligence in the Palm of Your Hand

News release:

Business Intelligence in the Palm of Your Hand

May 21, 2012

Developed by Microsoft partner Extended Results, the PushBI application provides instant analysis of intelligent systems data through PCs, tablets and phones.

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REDMOND, Wash. — May 21, 2012 — Using embedded devices as part of an intelligent system can enable any organization to collect valuable data in new ways. But once the information is available, how do you make sense of it all? The world of intelligent systems is, after all, about using that data to make better decisions. 

Although business intelligence software has progressed mightily from a decade ago when running reports required the help of the IT department, turning raw data into something useful for analysis is still often a team effort that can require a lot of legwork for administrators. Companies such as large retailers, manufacturers and logistics organizations are especially interested in finding a more elegant way to track business performance across complex networks of transactions and interactions. 

According to Bryan Colyer of Redmond-based Extended Results — part BI consulting practice and part software developer — as more companies connect embedded devices and enterprise IT within intelligent systems, the need for applications that can turn that information into something usable is exploding. 

Making Sense of the Data Deluge

May 21, 2012

PushBI by Extended Results can take information from SQL databases, Excel spreadsheets and more, and deliver instant reports to your phone or PC.

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“We’ve seen a strong need in retail, because so much of their information is in silos,” Colyer says. “But companies across industries are craving a way to help their corporate offices collaborate with stores and warehouses, to monitor the rhythm of the business and provide insight for better decisions.” 

To help its clients solve this problem, Extended Results has developed an application called PushBI that is able to tap into almost any data source, fromSQL Server and other databases toExcel spreadsheets and Web services. With business intelligence logic built on top and real-time operational data underneath, PushBI is able to deliver up-to-the-minute metrics on almost any type of data stream and deliver those reports to almost any device — meaning an executive can track performance by region, store or even by item or salesperson, right from a phone or Tablet PC. (Watch a demo video.)

“PushBI provides immediate reporting,” he says. “Before, someone would have to get the information and do analysis. With this, I can see my key metrics anywhere, anytime — and so can my store manager, my warehouse managers, my purchasers.” 

With PushBI, data is presented in a graphical format that is easy to understand. Color coding draws immediate attention to problem areas such as stock-outs or lagging sales. For executives, Colyer says the ability to parse information and dial into specifics can really help in keeping tabs on a large organization. 

“If I’m visiting stores in New York, I can dial into specific metrics for those stores,” he says. “I can see whether sales are trending up or down. Who are my top salespeople. I can see what’s selling, what’s not, and how that differs from store to store.”

At the store level, Colyer says, this capability can help with replenishment and optimizing shelf space. Store managers can easily communicate with the warehouse, ensuring inventory is available on time. Managers and executives can also track the effects of changes such as special promotions or new signage.

The PushBI application also features integrated IM chat functionality through Microsoft Lync. This allows executives, managers and subject experts such as accountants to discuss issues directly in the context of the application.

“As a senior exec, I can’t be an expert in every single number,” says Colyer. “But I can be connected to experts using Lync. With Lync’s presence information, I can see that my store manager in New York is present and have a quick IM or even start a videoconference.”

Colyer says the emerging market for intelligent systems has created the need for applications such as PushBI that can help companies put new data streams to work. As the market matures, Extended Results is seeing its customers around the world become more creative with the technology. One major global shipping company, for example, is using the product to optimize the offloading of containers at an Australian port.

“This market is still so new, most of our customers have an early adopter mindset and are looking for a competitive edge,” Colyer says. “We can’t wait to see what happens as more customers find new ways to leverage this technology. The ones who are doing this now are definitely getting ahead of the competition.”

PRESS RELEASE

Cisco Announces Intent to Acquire Truviso

Acquisition Reinforces Cisco's Commitment to Intelligent Networking by Providing Customers with Enhanced, Real-Time Data Analytics

SAN JOSE, Calif. – May 3, 2012 – Cisco today announced its intent to acquire privately held Truviso, Inc.  Based in Foster City, Calif., Truviso provides scalable, real-time network data analysis and reporting software. Together, Cisco and Truviso will provide instant access and visibility into network use and services to help increase operational efficiencies and drive new revenue streams for customers.   

The proliferation of end-user devices and growth in network-connected applications is exponentially increasing the amount of data on the network. Both service provider and enterprise customers are looking for ways to better understand this data and act upon it in real-time to improve operations, customer experiences, and service offering differentiation. Truviso’s continuous query technology, with its analyze-first, store-later capability, addresses this requirement by allowing companies to get detailed information and visibility of network use and services in real-time.

Truviso’s software analytics further strengthens Cisco’s network management platform, Cisco Prime, with the core technology to gather and analyze streaming data.  

“Customers want to be able to tap into and better analyze the enormous volume of data traversing their networks to identify ways to enhance services and generate new revenue opportunities,” said Jamie Lerner, vice president and general manager, Cisco Network Management Technology Group.  “Embedding Truviso’s real time business intelligence into the network will help customers unlock these capabilities at the speed of the network.”

The Truviso acquisition reinforces Cisco’s commitment to delivering intelligent networks and supports its five foundational priorities - core, data center, virtualization, collaboration, and video - with differentiated analytics technology. The Truviso team will be integrated into the Cisco Network Management Technology Group.

Specific financial terms of the transaction are undisclosed.  The acquisition of Truviso is subject to various standard closing conditions and is expected to be complete in the fourth quarter of Cisco’s fiscal year 2012. 

About Cisco

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Information about Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go tohttp://newsroom.cisco.com.

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New Packet Processor from GE Delivers the Outstanding Performance Demanded by Communications Companies and the High Frequency Trading (HFT) Market

25 April 2012

New Packet Processor from GE Delivers the Outstanding Performance Demanded by Communications Companies and the High Frequency Trading (HFT) Market

 

• Innovative solution designed for communications equipment manufacturers, HFT applications and systems integrators features fastest Cavium OCTEON™ processor

• GE’s expertise, experience and customer support reduces cost and time-to-market
• Robust Product Lifecycle Management program provides long term lower cost of ownership

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA — APRIL 25, 2012—Recognizing the need of a broad range of communications companies and telecommunicationsequipment manufacturers (TEMs) for the highest performance in packet processing, GE (NYSE: GE) today announced the WANic™ 66512 PCI Express® Packet Processor.

Designed for ease of development and deployment – resulting in reduced risk, faster time-to-market and faster time-to-revenue – and supported by GE’s renowned expertise and experience in fulfilling the requirements of Tier 1 TEMs, the WANic 66512 delivers exceptional performance and flexibility through its implementation of the fastest Cavium OCTEON® II processor, its PCI Express form factor, and the provision of board-level diagnostic tools and driver development kits.

The latest addition to the industry’s broadest range of PCI/PCI Expresspacket processors, and benefiting from GE’s extensive experience in their development, the WANic 66512 is distinguished by its use of Cavium’s 10-core 1.5GHz OCTEON™ II processor delivering very low latency and very high throughput to a broad range of applications, such as deep packet inspection, lawful intercept, secure access, network address translation, traffic management and session border control, as well as to high frequency trading applications.

“At GE Intelligent Platforms, we understand that every microsecond counts,” said Vibhoosh Gupta, Telecommunications Segment Leader, GE Intelligent Platforms. “Whether processing transactions on the trading floor or performing deep packet inspection for secure network access, the WANic 66512 Packet Processor is engineered to deliver the utmost performance. We also know that time-to-market is critical and therefore we complement the technical aspects of the WANic 66512 with world class expertise and a focus on exceptional customer service.”

The WANic 66512 benefits from GE’s extensive experience in providingextended support for the long term deployments that are typical of the telecommunications industry and a range of innovative programs designed to minimize cost of ownership by providing regular technology refresh opportunities as well as mitigating the effects of obsolescence.

It is designed for NEBS compliance and has been tested for interoperability, industry certification and regulatory compliance to ensure compatibility and rapid application deployment.

For more information: http://www.ge-ip.com/products/family/packet-processors
For data sheet: http://www.ge-ip.com/files/files/13174.pdf
A high resolution image to illustrate this release can be found at:www.genewscenter.com/imagelibrary/detail.asp?MediaDetailsID=4600

About GE

GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.

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