Avnet is expanding where it sells embedded software stack that shortens the development time of Internet of Things devices by imparting wireless connectivity to multiple types of hardware.
The company announced a new distribution deal Wednesday with the start-up UbiquiOS that invented the software, a complete package that spans from the device driver to application layer. The software contains code for common functions like memory management and device configuration and provisioning.
Avnet is already active in Europe selling the software, but now it will start offering it in the Americas. Avnet Silica, the distributor’s European subsidiary, handles the existing distribution deal. The software is compatible with radio hardware including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LoRa, and Sigfox,.
Avnet Silica recently partnered with UbiquiOS to build a complete sensor-to-server security platform to support billions of devices. The system combines Avnet's software for provisioning gateways and sensors, the UbiquiOS connectivity stack, and a custom microcontroller from security firm Trusted Objects.
“Security has been the top priority, and greatest challenge, for developers,” said Alex Iuorio, Avnet’s senior vice president of supplier development, in a statement. “The UbiquiOS stack offers customers a powerful, integrated security solution, without limiting designers’ choice of [microcontroller], wireless chipset, cloud platform, or development environment.”
The new distribution deal dovetails with Avnet’s efforts to become an indispensable partner for developers in the budding Internet of Things. Its acquisition of Hackster.io last year gave the distributor inside access to an online community of around 200,000 engineers that share tips on embedded hardware.
Last year, when Avnet paid $911 million for Premier Farnell, it also acquired an online forum called element 14, which claims to have 430,000 members in 36 countries. Premier Farnell is also the maker of the Raspberry Pi used to teach programming to students and hobbyists.
