Embedded Linux specialists Timesys and Lineo Solutions have announced a multi-year joint development and marketing alliance aimed at adapting TimeSys's “LinuxLink” service suite to the Japanese marketplace. The partnership will leverage Lineo's engineering and marketing expertise, in order to deliver Linux software, tools, and support for Japan's top processors, the partners said.

TimeSys's LinuxLink subscription service offers developers a suite of online tools for building and maintaining custom Linux distributions for specific processors. It provides access to the latest kernel patches from upstream silicon partners, as well as access to cross-compiled filesystem components, online forums, and other resources. LinuxLink subscriptions are also optionally available with Eclipse-based tools.

Lineo's current products include a uLinux ELITE distribution and cross-compiling toolchain. The company also offers software reference designs and professional services to OEMs developing systems and products, and has been an active, contributing member to the Consumer Electronics Linux Forum (CELF). Its recent product announcements include Linux BSPs for the MIPS Malta dev board, MIPS64 Toshiba set-top box design, and SuperH boards from Renesas. It also recently announced plans to offer CodeSourcery G++ tools with its BSPs for ARM-based boards.

Historically, TimeSys products have been sold and supported in Japan by Nissin Systems, a VAR (value-added reseller) that also supports Qtopia. Nissin took an equity investment in TimeSys in 2002.

Yoshinobu Ushiyama (Click for interview)

Lineo Solutions was founded in Oct., 1984, as United System Engineers (USE). In May of 1999, it was acquired by Lineo Solutions, the “embedded” division of enterprise-oriented Linux distributor Caldera. When Lineo Solutions re-incorporated as Embedix in 2002, Lineo Japan's then-CEO Yoshinobu Ushiyama and his employees completed a management buy-out, re-incorporating under the name Lineo Solutions. More details can be found in our 2004 CEO interview with Ushiyama.

Throughout its 24-year history in the embedded computing market, Lineo Solutions has participated in many important projects. For example, it worked with Sharp in bringing the groundbreaking Zaurus SL to market. That work included porting Linux to the platform, as well as integrating PIM (personal information management) and JVM (Java virtual machine) software, according to Ushiyama.

Kenji Futatsugi, Lineo CEO, stated, “There are a great number of leading manufacturers who develop innovative products in Japan, and the use of Linux as a product OS has been rapidly increasing. We are confident that our cooperation opens the choices available to such manufacturers and brings more reliable Linux solutions.”

TimeSys CEO Atul Bansal stated, “With Lineo, we will strengthen our local presence for both existing and new Timesys LinuxLink customers.”

 
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