CPU modules, embedded systems, industrial computers, real-time systems, single board computers, windows CE

The Embedded Initiative is a partner program, created by Annasoft Systems in 1997, focused on providing ready-to-run Windows CE platform solutions. These solutions consist of embedded PC hardware combined with Annasoft software that enable OEM manufacturers of embedded and dedicated systems to run Windows CE off-the-shelf, without adaptation or driver development, on a wide range of commercially available single board computers and modules. The chief benefit to OEM's is that they can bring their Windows CE products to market in record time with the least possible development cost.

Embedded Initiative Members are embedded PC manufacturers with Pentium® and 486-compatible platform solutions that are lab-certified to run Windows CE, Annasoft Systems' CE Launcher™ boot loader and Jump Start™ driver library. Boards and modules pass a rigid certification program that ensures the hardware and software work perfectly together. The board support package (which is called the Platform Library Kit), in addition to the Jump Start drivers and CE Launcher, contains a build tree for an embedded PC platform.

Embedded PC's that have these ready-to-run board support packages for Windows CE range from credit card size modules to SBCs to motherboards and include a wide range of bus architectures, including PC/104, cPCI, ISA/PCI, VME, and STD32. Selected Embedded Initiative Members include: Aaeon Technology, Adaptive Systems, Adastra Systems, DSP Design, Epson Electronics America, EuroTech, SBS Embedded Systems, and Teknor Industrial Computers.