Companies involved in creating industrial computer systems move in one of two directions. Depending on the use case of the buyer, computers will push for the cutting edge of power, which necessitates considerable power and space demands. A range of motherboards fulfill these demands; ranging from Pico-ITX to the almost gargantuan EATX, they utilize the newest processors, graphics cards and additional modules to allow users the most power possible. Technology, and by extension the buyer’s interest, can also move in the opposite direction.
Various sectors, such as the medical or military fields, have a need for low power solutions that can be mobile. Handheld computing or the shrinking of existing systems that allows them be used in the field represents the ultimate goal. The need to push computer systems to a smaller form factor presents a challenge, but manufacturers have essentially solved the issue with computer on modules.
The Popular Embedded Boards
OEMs are in the tough position of deciding which motherboard standard can be used to fit the need for smaller computing. Manufacturers present a number of different types; the two most popular and smallest board standards are Qseven and COM Express. There are a number of differences between the two, most notable is Continue Reading…
The goal of almost every business is to maximize profits through smart product acquisition and to sell merchandise for a higher cost. An intelligently run company will always look for practical ways to reduce costs at every stage. The industrial computing world has many of the same economic concerns, as well as some of its own unique problems.
There are very few times when an OEM will order a single part, unless they are building a prototype or repairing a single broken machine. Most issues within this sector are dealt with in bulk, meaning large orders that need to provide for a company’s customer base.
Understandably, the process of knocking down the prices from computer distributors can be a difficult. There are precautions that can be taken at each of the multiple steps of a single deal, but let’s look at one that is usually overlooked. Shipping product from a component seller seems straightforward, but a company can potentially lose money by not specifying certain shipping standards. There are two simple factors to remember when dealing with bulk shipping that can save an OEM a significant amount of money when Continue Reading…
When it comes to motherboards, the industrial and commercial sectors do a pretty good job at keeping themselves separate. Even to the point where commercial manufacturers don’t sell industrial motherboards and, conversely, where industrial manufacturers don’t sell commercial motherboards.
Industrial motherboard manufacturers just aren’t set up to compete with the likes of ASUS, MSI and Gigabyte, while still keeping motherboards with lifecycles of 5 years or more on their product roadmap. And simply put, their procedures require a higher overhead and resultantly higher priced motherboard.
Commercial manufacturers on the other hand have the opposite problem of not being able to support a motherboard for 5+ years. They also can’t offer all of the different custom options and small runs of quantities like 50-100 boards, because they are set up to manufacture THOUSANDS of boards at a time. It’s just a matter of the two industries not being economically set up to overlap.
Commercial Manufacturers Making Industrial Motherboards?
However, in recent years, whether due to exponential growth in the industrial motherboard and embedded PC market, or simply because a recent analysis showed it to be a prudent move, commercial manufacturers are now getting involved Continue Reading…
The technological world always tends to face toward the future. New components, systems and software are released yearly, and there is always a skunkworks team working on the “next big thing.” Much like the automotive industry, support for consumer electronics seems to last just long enough for the newest model to come out. The manufactures’ expectations are that the product will be used and abused, then eventually traded out for the newest model. This kind of process definitely exists within the consumer electronics world, where innovation and tech lust may rule over economic viability.
In the industrial world, especially OEMs, technology is meant to last a long time. OEM suppliers are also looking toward the future, but instead of trying to figure out the next upgrade, are mapping out a product’s or system’s lifecycle to better serve their clients.
At the beginning of a design cycle, suppliers and OEMs then have to come up with a detailed description for the end of life services that can be provided. This involves Continue Reading…
The “golden egg” for most of technology runs along a very particular line of thought: make your device smaller without sacrificing its ability to process and render the necessary information for the user. The consumer side of technology grasped this mantra and ran with it. The processes that needed a standard sized computer five years ago can now be shrunk to a single embedded board.
With the modern trend of smartphones and tablets, it would seem that there is no longer a need for the outdated and oversized motherboard. But does this apply to the industrial sector? If we can replace them with newer, smaller and sometimes more efficient components, then what is the point of these legacy parts? In selecting between a large ATX vs. Micro ATX board, should the choice always be the latter? This conversation rages on and each side makes compelling arguments. Both standards can coexist because they each play a role. They fit certain needs perfectly, but also have their drawbacks.
ATX vs. Micro ATX: What Can a Few Inches Do?
ATX boards, the big brother of the Micro ATX standard, are considered workhorses in the computing world. They are very versatile motherboards and can be found in a multitude of places, ranging from high powered workstations, database/server architecture and even to communication centers. From an industrial perspective, Continue Reading…
When managing a electronics OEM project, many different factors come into play. It’s like watching a master juggler handling a group of different objects that each present their own unique difficulties, but it doesn’t matter because they all seem to stay up in the air.
There is always something that can cause problems, however, no matter how minor they may seem when compared to everything else. For example, OEM computer assembly, albeit a major part of the computing world, can become an issue for these companies. There are so many other parts of the business to be accounted for that sometimes this step seems to add undue pressure, especially when filling a large order.
Benefits of Distributor Computer Assembly
Some distributors have in-house assembly and are willing to build the product, do a 24 hour burn in and otherwise ensure that it is fully ready for the client. Here are four good reasons why this is beneficial. Continue Reading…
There is a quotation about warfare that says “War never changes.” The philosophical idea behind that statement may be correct, but in the realm of technology, it couldn’t be farther from the truth. Military computing is constantly undergoing change. Technological breakthroughs and research into innovative solutions are always on the verge of becoming a reality. In pushing toward new ideas, a nation’s military must utilize the latest advancements in embedded computer modules. The “golden rules “of this type of technology are to create:
- a technically proficient machine, in both processing and graphical power
- a device with low power consumption
It is a difficult set of boxes to tick, but the Computer on Module Express, or COM Express, standard fills and advances this need.
The application for COM Express boards is not meant to replace standard full size industrial PCs. That form factor must still be relied upon for heavy computing necessary at major operations bases. However, the usual size of a full motherboard prohibits Continue Reading…
An important question to ask when dealing with computer components is “How much control do I want when building embedded systems?” Regardless of the computer’s determined sector, assemblers have to weigh the option of putting together individual components of the greater whole, or purchasing a finished machine. Both have their uses, depending on the type of business that a company does and taking into consideration its size and type of computing needs.
When it comes to the digital signage market, there are a few specific problems that must be solved. The first is the specifications the embedded system needs to run the advertising program. The second issue comes from the number of physical ads that must be placed and the cost of creating multiple duplicates of that machine. The last problem ties into money, but is also an engineering issue. It comes down to the query above; it is a question of control.
Pros and Cons of Custom Building Embedded Systems
Approaching this issue from the “build it yourself” standpoint does not automatically mean a lesser system. In fact, there are many positives involved in custom building an embedded system. The process does technically solve all of the “digital signage” problems, as it allows for: Continue Reading…
If there is one industry that deserves the most powerful, accurate, and efficient computer systems available, it is the medical field. The systems used by hospitals and specialist clinics vary from imaging products all the way to handheld blood analyzers. These kinds of products are essential in running medical facilities, and need to be built and maintained properly. Furthermore, the machines must keep up with the rigors of the medical field, needing to be faster and, most importantly, mobile. Form factor plays a major role in technology usage, regardless of field or discipline. Modern equipment has been chasing the “smaller is better” mentality for years, demanding a change in component manufacturing.
Pico-ITX Finds its Perfect Place
Enter the Pico-ITX: a new breed of embedded motherboards that could meet the necessary tasks of modern medical systems. Of course, this size of motherboard could not replace larger boards that run major imaging equipment or servers. But Pico-ITX systems have nevertheless carved out a sizable niche by combining powerful processing and graphical prowess in a diminutive form. Since their unveiling in 2007, these boards have only become faster and more feature rich, allowing the medical field to implement more complex and sophisticated software in the workplace.
Advantages of Pico-ITX Boards
Basically, decreasing the size of an embedded system’s motherboard means two things: Continue Reading…
Undeniably, more and more devices are now requiring the use of touch screen technology. Bear in mind, however, that not all computer touch screens are created equal, as they say.
From tablets to panel PCs and beyond, there are currently a variety of uses for touch screens in the industry. Read on to learn about some of the particular pros and cons of several of the main touch screen types.
Computer Touch Screens: From Viewing to Contact
Touch screens use signals that enable a device to locate exactly which part of the surface the user is accessing via the screen, thus allowing the software to determine what kind of action or step to undertake in relation to the command.
Users and developers look for a functional touch screen that fits their needs in terms of both ease of usage and durability. Here’s a look at four of the primary types of computer touch screens in the industry today. Continue Reading…
