BSQUARE Corporation (Nasdaq: BSQR), a leading provider of embedded solutions, and SolidcoreŽ Systems, Inc., a leading provider of real-time change control software, announced today at the National Retail Federation (NRF) Annual Convention the signing of a strategic distribution agreement under which BSQUARE will distribute Solidcore's S3 Control Embedded software to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). As a result, BSQUARE becomes an authorized distributor of Solidcore's S3 Control Embedded software, and the exclusive distributor of the software in North America.
Solidcore's S3 Control Embedded software is a small footprint, low-overhead change control solution that enables OEMs to secure and control embedded devices. The software installs quickly and easily on devices to enforce the OEM's software change policy, and provides proactive protection against unauthorized changes. S3 Control Embedded helps to minimize the ongoing maintenance of devices in the field, thus reducing OEM support costs. The S3 Control Embedded software also provides zero-day security protection by ensuring only authorized software can run on the embedded device - eliminating the need to run "performance-draining" anti-virus software applications. Furthermore, today's anti-virus solutions only address one dimension of the overall security profile of an embedded device, while S3 Control Embedded addresses a much broader range of security and change control risks.
"Change control software is creating a fundamental shift in how embedded systems are built, managed and maintained," said Larry Stapleton, vice president of sales and marketing for BSQUARE. "Globally, OEMs are shipping embedded devices to the marketplace that are vulnerable to several types of change control risks, ranging from traditional threats like viruses and malware, to internal threats such as employee sabotage. Solidcore helps eliminate both types of threats for embedded device OEMs and their end-users."
Solidcore's S3 Control Embedded software provides benefits to both OEMs and their customers. OEMs, including those building devices based on a Windows platform, benefit from the ability to reduce support costs associated with unauthorized changes to the operating system and applications on the embedded device. The retail customer benefits from higher security and availability of in-store systems while leveraging the S3 Control Embedded software to achieve and maintain compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).
"We are pleased that BSQUARE and Solidcore have entered into a partnership to expand distribution of Solidcore's protection solution to embedded devices, including those that support Windows Embedded operating systems," said Irena Andonova, group product manager, Windows Embedded Business at Microsoft Corp. "The Windows Embedded platform helps developers and OEMs achieve a rapid time to market and build differentiated devices, and with the integration of Solidcore, customers will have a solution to help them achieve enhanced control of their devices."
As an authorized distributor of Windows Embedded tools and runtime licenses, BSQUARE already maintains relationships with many OEMs developing devices that can benefit from change control software, such as ATMs, point-of-sale systems, thin clients and many other types of mission critical devices. This distribution agreement will allow BSQUARE to provide an even greater suite of value-added solutions to OEMs, and will help to expand Solidcore's market share through a broader OEM customer base.
"Teaming with BSQUARE is a significant milestone because of their expertise, knowledge and broad customer base in the global embedded community," said Jim Sarale, vice president of embedded solutions for Solidcore. "By installing Solidcore's change control software, device manufacturers can prevent unauthorized changes that create costly outages, repeat support calls, and compliance and regulatory penalties. Together, we are working to make Solidcore a global standard for embedded devices."
About Solidcore Systems
Solidcore is a leading provider of real-time change control software. Solidcore's S3 Control Embedded software is used by the world's leading manufacturers of automated teller machines, point-of-sale terminals, medical devices, thin-clients, storage appliances and other devices to accelerate the deployment of embedded systems while reducing support costs. Solidcore is a Gold Partner in Microsoft's Windows Embedded Partner Program. Solidcore is headquartered in Cupertino, California. For more information, please visit www.solidcore.com/embedded.
About BSQUARE
BSQUARE is a software solution provider to the global embedded device community. Our teams are committed to delivering the highest quality, lowering project risk, and reducing time to market, and can collaborate with smart device makers at any stage of device development. For more information about BSQUARE, visit www.bsquare.com/solidcore.
Solidcore is a registered trademark of Solidcore Systems, Inc. in the United States and other countries. S3 Control Embedded is a trademark of Solidcore Systems, Inc. BSQUARE is a registered trademark of BSQUARE Corporation. All other names, products and services are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.