Date:22/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/02/22/stories/2006022202900400.htm

Back Oracle launches embedded biz unit — To set up innovation labs in India

Our Bureau

These innovation labs will enjoy close development links with Oracle R&D centres in the US.

New Delhi , Feb. 21

ENTERPRISE software maker Oracle today launched an Embedded Business Unit (EBU) for Asia-Pacific and Japan in a bid to penetrate the embedded systems market in this region, which includes India.

To drive development and testing of its embedded systems, Oracle plans to launch innovation labs in India and also in China, Japan, Korea, and Singapore. These innovation labs will enjoy close development links with Oracle R&D centres in the US, and will reside in existing Oracle development centres in these countries.

The Oracle EBU plans to establish licensing agreements with Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), allowing them to integrate Oracle software directly into end-user devices such as handsets, home appliances and automobiles.

"This is the most natural next step for us to move beyond the enterprise systems where we've traditionally been, and make a serious move into data management for consumer devices. Real-life applications of embedded systems are infinite, and range from the practical today to the more futuristic. What they all have in common now is their advanced intelligence. Embedded systems are becoming much more data-rich, capturing, storing, analysing, and sending information to enable innovative device functions," said Mr Mark Barton, Vice-President, Embedded Business Unit, Asia Pacific & Japan.

Oracle, Intel, and major Linux partners last year created the industry's first embedded system for network equipment manufacturers.

The embedded systems industry last year generated $25 billion worldwide. In China, the embedded software industry racked up $900 million, up 149 per cent year-on-year and accounting for 31.1 per cent of the total sales revenue in China's software industry in 2004. Indian exports of embedded systems and software touched $1.6 billion in 2003-04, a jump of 44 per cent over the previous year.