congatec acquires hypervisor software provider Real-Time Systems

Embedded computing vendor congatec has acquired Real-Time Systems (RTS), a provider of hypervisor software for real-time applications in the embedded market.

RTS’s customers are OEMs from markets such as robotics, automation, mechanical engineering, medical technology, and test and measurement systems. New markets further arise from the increasing real-time requirements of IIoT and Industry 4.0 applications as well as real-time broadcasting and streaming. Other customers are embedded computer technology manufacturers who qualify the platforms they develop as ODMs for OEMs for the RTS Hypervisor.

“If customers need a hypervisor with the best possible real-time performance, easy installation and configuration for any x86 multicore platform, supporting all popular real-time as well as general-purpose operating systems, then the RTS Hypervisor from Real-Time Systems is the preferred choice,” said RTS CEO Gerd Lammers.

The acquisition will see RTS become a wholly owned subsidiary of congatec. The company will continue to operate independently, providing its software to run on any x86 hardware, only now with worldwide sales and technical support teams ready to support the product.

congatec CEO Jason Carlson said his company’s strategy is to “simplify the use of embedded computing technologies”, stating, “As the connected IIoT and Industry 4.0 world is getting more and more complex, one of the most important strategic levers to meet this objective is to invest in software.” Getting the chance to acquire an established hypervisor technology that matches the needs of the IIoT and Industry 4.0 is thus a significant milestone for congatec.

“Our RTS Hypervisor … fits perfectly into congatec’s strategy of simplifying the use of embedded technology under very demanding circumstances,” said Lammers. “We are confident that our customers will benefit from our joined forces as it gives us the chance to grow faster, extend our offerings to new markets and improve our services on a global base.”

“We are investing in the sustainable growth of Real-Time Systems,” said congatec CTO Gerhard Edi. “For instance, we want to extend the functionalities of the RTS Hypervisor in order to open up new markets in the field of transportation. All RTS customers will benefit from these investments; this is because the RTS Hypervisor is independent of any RTOS and GPOS, which gives us the chance to set new standards.

“The explicit goal is therefore to continue to attract embedded computer manufacturers as customers and to maintain existing customers in this segment. We will take all necessary organisational measures to achieve these goals. Discussions with these customers have already been initiated in connection with this acquisition announcement.”

Image caption: congatec CEO Jason Carlson (right) and Real-Time Systems CEO Gerd Lammers (left) shake hands on the deal.