Oh what a strange time it is. None of us can say that we’ve ever lived through something like this before, because nothing like this has ever happened before, certainly not to this magnitude. Obviously, I’m referring to the COVID-19 pandemic. Before I get into the technology that supports our essential business, I’d like to mention the sometimes unheralded support of our brave men and women serving on the front lines in this terrible time. These people are true heroes.
That said, many businesses are permitted to remain open during this time, based on whether they are deemed as “essential” or if they can operate without putting any of their employees in harm’s way, possibly by having them work from home. In most cases, the backbones of these businesses are embedded systems.
When the Shelter in Place orders started making their way around the country, WINSYSTEMS began to receive notices of Essential Business operations from its customers. Today, and into the future, embedded computers power medical diagnostic equipment, manufacturing equipment for medical and other critical industries, and test equipment for those medical devices. They also drive refrigeration systems for our food supplies, automated forklifts, sortation systems, and other important material delivery equipment that supports the transportation and delivery services that the country depends on, now more than ever.
Embedded systems are everywhere and they support the majority of our country’s (and the world’s) infrastructure. As stated earlier, such platforms are employed throughout the medical industry. Diagnostic equipment handles tissue sampling, imaging, DNA analysis, blood analysis, and treatment. WINSYSTEMS is helping clients fast track through new evaluations so they can increase production to meet new demands driven by COVID-19.
Don’t be fooled by the small size of the WINSYSTEMS’ PCM-C418 SBC, which is built to the PC104 form factor. It features the latest generation DM&P Vortex86DX3 SoC processor, offers a rugged design, and an extended operational temperature range.
WINSYSTEMS’ PCM-C418 single board computer (SBC) is a PC104 form factor that’s employed in this space, thanks to its small size, low power, rugged design, and extended operational temperature range. It features the latest generation DM&P Vortex86DX3 SoC processor.
Distribution centers that increasingly make use of autonomous vehicles and robots for loading and unloading are looking to deploy the WINSYSTEMS ITX-P-C444 SBC. The industrial Pico-ITX SBC is based on NXP’s i.MX8M applications processor and offers expansion through dual Ethernet, industrial I/O, and other options. The ability to operate in harsh conditions is the key feature that suits the ITX-P-C444 for such applications.
As an essential business, WINSYSTEMS will continue to be here for our customers, manufacturing these critical embedded systems and components, while also taking all appropriate measures to reduce the risks to our employees and customers alike. We are working from home were applicable, using mixed shifts, and of course applying social distancing, to keep the production lines running, while keeping our staff as safe as possible.
Meetings have moved online where possible, even for the personnel that are still on site. We will do this as long as necessary. Stay safe and stay healthy, and we will emerge as a stronger nation.