Systems integrator, Direct Insight, based in Oxfordshire, UK, has partnered with German SoM and SBC provider, MicroSys Electronics. The partnership covers the UK and Ireland.

The minority of embedded designs are in-house, said Direct Insight’s CEO, David Pashley (pictured), often prohibited by NRE costs. The company’s strategy is to advise development teams to upgrade hardware (SoCs, FPGAs) and software, by choosing off-the-shelf hardware, software and tools with which a designer may be unfamiliar, in order to have a headstart on a design with a steep learning curve.

MicroSys Electronics is a system provider with a portfolio which includes the MicroSys miriac MPX module technology. According to Pashley, this “offers all the advantages of SoM-based designs, such as application-ready core technology, faster time-to-market, high design reliability, lower NRE costs, and better-priced carrier boards thanks to less layers”.

The miriac application-ready SoMs are based on NXP’s S32G and Layerscape processor technology. Direct Insight is weighted in favour of NXP processors, accounting for around 80%-90% of designs, predominantly iMX, Pashley estimated.

“With support for NXP’s S32G processor family, MicroSys shares our growing focus on automotive, and on safety-certified development, including ISO 26262 and IEC61508,” he said.

Ina Schindler, managing director at MicroSys (pictured with David), agreed. “Direct Insight is the perfect partner for MicroSys. We need technically-competent, application-focused design channels which are capable of supporting customers’ complex and evolving requirements. Direct Insight has over 20 years experience supporting markets in the UK, Ireland and further afield. We are delighted to be working together.”

She cited the UK location as a benefit in establishing customer relationships in the region, as the company hopes to “grow our understanding and encompass these products to support our customers.

“There is synergy, rooted in technical ability and expertise and having a direct relationship with our customers,” she added.