嵌入式系統(tǒng)可以根據(jù)云數(shù)據(jù)存儲和分析能力得到相應(yīng)擴展，但是在這種設(shè)備的整合與云技術(shù)之間還存在差距。

Windows Embedded嵌入系統(tǒng)亞太地區(qū)和大中華地區(qū)的微軟市場營銷總監(jiān)John Boladian說，在擴大嵌入式計算范圍方面，云計算扮演了“舉足輕重的角色”。主管所指的是Redmond的觀點，他認為，嵌入式設(shè)備可以通過云計算承載巨大數(shù)量并潛在有效的數(shù)據(jù)存儲和數(shù)據(jù)分析。

在接受ZDNet Asia采訪中，Boladian說：“能夠從網(wǎng)絡(luò)優(yōu)勢中獲取情報會對企業(yè)創(chuàng)造價值產(chǎn)生深遠變化。”

然而他說，行業(yè)還需填補嵌入式系統(tǒng)和未來智能系統(tǒng)之間的空缺。他指出：“在嵌入式設(shè)備中應(yīng)用云計算并整合云技術(shù)還處在初級階段。”

雖然存在差距，但他說，嵌入式設(shè)備在提供單一功能服務(wù)上已經(jīng)走向成熟并且已經(jīng)具備了有限的成為更加智能的系統(tǒng)的能力，這多虧了處理能力的提高以及軟件的復(fù)雜化。

他還進行了進一步說明，他說，單一功能的嵌入式設(shè)備已經(jīng)演變成了擁有處理器、操作系統(tǒng)和連通性都十分強大的“智能系統(tǒng)”。有了這些智能系統(tǒng)，企業(yè)就可以部署那些用來收集、分析和交流數(shù)據(jù)的復(fù)雜并互聯(lián)的系統(tǒng)。

Boladian引用了IDC的調(diào)查，他說，2010年到2015年間，智能系統(tǒng)會翻兩倍，接下來的五年也是一樣。根據(jù)調(diào)查公司的報告，擁有連接互聯(lián)網(wǎng)能力的嵌入式系統(tǒng)的單位發(fā)貨量將從去年的14億增長到2015年的33億。

在亞洲地區(qū)，智能系統(tǒng)市場當前價值約1.44億美元。根據(jù)IDC預(yù)測，2015年前，這一領(lǐng)域?qū)碛?億設(shè)備，收入達45.5億美元。

Boladian補充道，嵌入式市場給那些為此類設(shè)備大量生產(chǎn)和銷售硬件軟件的企業(yè)提供了“契機”。

Connecting embedded devices to cloud把嵌入式設(shè)備與云計算連接

微軟現(xiàn)正致力于開發(fā)旨在填補嵌入式設(shè)備和云計算之間的空缺的軟件。Boladian進一步指出，1996年軟件供應(yīng)商就已經(jīng)帶著他們的Windows CE 1.0產(chǎn)品立足于這個市場。

他說：“在前進的道路上，我們將繼續(xù)提供一套把企業(yè)軟件和云服務(wù)擴展到日用設(shè)備的產(chǎn)品，包括像服務(wù)點（POS）、產(chǎn)業(yè)自動化和醫(yī)藥器械等等。”

他指出，像汽車和醫(yī)療產(chǎn)業(yè)都在尋求嵌入式系統(tǒng)平臺，不僅為了制造汽車和構(gòu)建設(shè)備，還為了創(chuàng)建良好的客戶體驗、提高商業(yè)智能。

Boladian 說：“通過充分利用云計算 ，Windows Embedded 嵌入系統(tǒng)正在隨時隨地訪問智能設(shè)備內(nèi)部的‘數(shù)據(jù)流通’。”

在亞太地區(qū)，微軟合作伙伴已在根據(jù)現(xiàn)有的Windows Embedded平臺開發(fā)軟件，他說。在明年上半年，這些合作伙伴將會有資源計劃下一個Windows Embedded平臺版本，vNext稱。

The functionalities of embedded systems can be extended with cloud-based data storage and analytics capabilities, but there is still gap between the integration of such devices and cloud technologies.

According to John Boladian, Microsoft's marketing director for Asia-Pacific and greater China for Windows Embedded, cloud will play a "pivotal role" in expanding the scope of embedded computing. The executive was referring to Redmond's belief that embedded devices can leverage the vast amount of data storage and analysis available potentially via cloud computing.

"Being able to capture the intelligence from the edge of the network will make a profound change in the value it can deliver for enterprises," said Boladian, in an interview with ZDNet Asia.

However, he said the industry still needs to plug the gap between embedded systems and future intelligent systems. "The adoption of cloud computing as well as the integration of cloud technologies into embedded devices is still at the infancy stage," he noted.

Despite the gap, he said embedded devices have matured from serving single functions and having limited capabilities to become more intelligent systems, thanks to increased processing power and more sophisticated software.

Elaborating, he said single-function embedded devices have evolved to become "smart systems" with powerful processors, operating systems and connectivity. With these smart systems, enterprises are able to deploy complex, interconnected systems that collect, analyze and communicate data, he added.

Quoting research from IDC, Boladian said smart systems will more than double between 2010 and 2015, and again within the next five years. According to the research firm, unit shipment of embedded systems with the ability to connect to the Internet will grow from approximately 1.4 billion last year to over 3.3 billion in 2015.

In Asia, the intelligent systems market is currently worth about US$144 million. By 2015, this segment will clock 800 million units and generate US$455 billion in revenue, according to IDC projections.

Boladian added that the embedded market presented a "tremendous opportunity" for businesses that manufacture and sell hardware and software for such devices.

Microsoft is now focusing its efforts on software that aims to address the gap in integration between embedded devices and the cloud. Boladian further noted that the software vendor has been in this market since 1996 with its Windows CE 1.0 offering.

"Moving forward, we will continue to deliver a suite of products that extend enterprise software and cloud services out to everyday devices, which include examples such as point of service (POS), industrial automation and medical equipment, among others," he said.

He noted that industries such as automotive and medical are looking for an embedded systems platform not only to build cars and devices, but also to create good customer experience and improve business intelligence.

"By taking full advantage of the cloud, Windows Embedded is bringing anytime, anywhere access to the 'data currency' that resides inside our intelligent devices," Boladian said.

In the Asia-Pacific region, Microsoft's partners are already developing software based on the current Windows Embedded platform, he said. In the first half of next year, he added that these partners will also have resources to plan for the next version of the Windows Embedded platform, called vNext.