Software Services: Expertise, Know-How & Connections - Your Complete Software Partner
Avnet Silica goes beyond distributing the building blocks for your next project. We offer comprehensive software services backed by a team of embedded software and system engineering experts across the EMEA region. Our team isn't just about moving boxes; they possess the deep technical know-how to provide software-centric project support, training, consulting, and full-fledged software engineering support. This expertise extends beyond individual components, as our engineers are specialists in system-level evaluation and architectural consulting, ensuring your project is built on a solid foundation from the start.
Our aim is to start engaging with you by discussing the application or system you would like to create and then dive deeper by:
- Analyzing the data flow (bandwidth, latency)
- Discussing the implications on software (drivers, licenses, longevity)
- Discussing production, system live cycles and update processes
- Analyzing safety and security implications and work on an appropriate security concept that fits this analysis right (security should NEVER be an afterthought)
Useful jump links:
- Core Software Services
- Key Embedded Software & Microsoft Licensing
- Security Services
- Partners (Wider Ecosystem)
- Pitfalls we Help you Avoid
Our Core Software Services for Microsoft and Linux
Discover |
Evaluation |
Design |
Production |
Maintenance |
✔ Technologies ✔ SoC Architectures ✔ Systems / Platforms ✔ Certifications ✔ Cost Reduction |
✔ Benchmarking ✔ Corner Cases ✔ Prototyping ✔ Tools ✔ Licensing |
✔ Engineering ✔ Project Management |
✔ Provisioning ✔ Platforms ✔ Re-use |
✔ Longevity ✔ Security ✔ Platforms ✔ Obsolescence Management |
✔ System-Level Evaluation ✔ Architecture Consulting |
✔ Evaluation Support ✔ Proof of Concept ✔ Service Positioning |
✔ Contract Engineering Services |
✔ Avnet Ecosystem |
✔ Long-Term Maintenance ✔ Community Maintenance ✔ Technical Debt Management |
Key Embedded Software and Microsoft Licensing
Embedded / IoT system stands for a computing system or device with an image, designed for a dedicated task. It’s not marketed or usable as a general purpose personal computing device (such as a personal computer), a multi-function server or a commercially viable substitute for one of these systems. Typically, embedded and IoT computing refers to any system performing a fixed function or used with a specific embedded software application. These are systems that the end user mostly cannot modify. Customers have to sign a Microsoft Embedded OEM agreement to use embedded licenses for their products. The embedded channel is a closed channel, meaning sub-distribution of embedded licenses is prohibited and the customer (OEM) has to bundle the licenses with hardware to an embedded system.
Key Embedded Software |
Microsoft Licensing Steps |
✔ Windows Server IoT ✔ Windows 11 IoT Enterprise 2024 ✔ Windows 11 IoT Enterprise ✔ Windows 11 IoT Enterprise on ARM ✔ Windows 11 IoT Enterprise 2021 ✔ Windows 11 IoT Enterprise 2019 ✔ Windows 11 IoT Enterprise 2016 ✔ Windows 11 IoT Enterprise 2015 ✔ Windows 10 IoT Core ✔ Windows 10 Enterprise ✔ Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro Retail ✔ Windows POSReady 7 Head over to our dedicated Microsoft Embedded website to learn more about our key embedded software. |
Stage 1✔ Pre-Sales ✔ Embedded OEM Customer License Agreement (OEM CLA) ✔ Additional Licensing Provisions (ALP) Stage 2✔ Sign OEM CLA (Agreement) ✔ OEM Preinstallation Kit (OPK) Stage 3✔ Runtime Licenses Stage 4✔ Runtime Key (PID) Stage 5✔ Distribution ✔ Certificate of Authenticity (COA) ✔ End User License Agreement (EULA) Head over to our dedicated Microsoft Embedded website to learn more about our licensing process. |
Security Should Never be an Afterthought
We strongly believe that security should never be an afterthought and should be considered right in the architectural phase of a project. In many cases, our security experience is used from the beginning of a project to engage into discussions about requirements and potential approaches, then moving from Security aspects to system-level design, software enablement and finally component discussions. Some of the potential topics where we can provide value to your project are listed below.
Operating System Security |
Hardware-Assisted Security |
Cloud / IIoT Security |
Security Analysis and Evaluation |
Security Lifecycle Management |
✔ Improving software security for GNU/Linux using ARM Trustzone, Containers or Hypervisors ✔ Trusted Computing Base Optimisation (RTOS, TEE-OS) |
✔ Integrating and combining TPMs, Secure Elements and on-chip security modules to achieve an optimal solution ✔ Resolving conflicts with free software licenses when using secure or authenticated boot |
✔ Secure authentication and connection ✔ Remote attestation ✔ Secure update concepts |
✔ Threat modelling, risk assessment and countermeasures ✔ System security concepts from a system (Software, Hardware and Methodology) viewpoint ✔ Total cost of ownership analysis and optimisation ✔ Move to production (system lockdown, secure deployment flows) |
✔ Ensuring system security over the complete product lifecycle ✔ Common vulnerability and exposure tracking |
Windows vs Linux – Trade-Offs and the Impact of The Cyber Resilience Act
For many computer users, the choice of operating system (OS) is not a consideration. New laptops come bundled with either Windows or Mac OS, or corporate IT policy mandates (usually) Windows and company machines are locked down. Software developers, other professional users and serious hobbyists, however, have very different requirements for an OS and need features and levels of access that do not apply to the average business or home user.
Due mainly to their respective origins, traditional wisdom is that Windows is for normal users while Linux is for professionals, but this position is no longer true as both systems have evolved and continue to do so. This article looks at the benefits and downsides of each OS and also considers how the EU’s upcoming Cyber Resilience Act, (CRA), may affect decision makers.
Read MoreAllied Vision - A Partnership on all Levels
Headquartered in Germany, with strategic locations in Canada, the United States, Singapore, and China, Allied Vision boasts a widespread presence, further reinforced by EMEA-wide distribution via Avnet Silica. This partnership ensures that customers across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa can access the cutting-edge solutions and unparalleled expertise offered by Allied Vision.
Learn MoreWitekio - Optimal Performance from the Lower Levels up
Witekio pride themselves on a code-first approach that’s backed up by a hardware mindset. Due to the rise of connected products, software is becoming more complex, and therefore so is the knowledge base you need to successfully create and integrate an embedded system. Witekio's expert team creates crystal-clear custom code for each and every project they work on. Each line and </> is there to boost the operation, security, and reliability of a system. Getting it right is non-negotiable.
Learn MorePitfalls we Help Customers Avoid
Our deep knowledge on the hardware and software side is essential for every customer’s design to avoid pitfalls from the very beginning. As we work directly with our suppliers, we have access to resources and information that most simply do not have. This, in addition with the experience of hundreds of already supported designs creates a deep knowledge base and provides great value.
Security
Secure Device Provisioning & Management
A key facet of our security strategy lies in facilitating seamless device connectivity. Recognizing that security begins with pre-configuration, we empower our customers to ready their products for connection with ease.

MSEmbedded
Microsoft Windows Embedded Solutions
Visit Avnet's dedicated Microsoft Windows Embedded site to learn more about our key software and licensing processes.

Security
The EU Cyber Resilience Act
Learn more about the EU Cyber Resilience Act and what it means for OEMs. Explore Avnet Silica and partner solutions.

Technology
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
Avnet Silica helps you discover new solutions, applications and technologies for Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning.

IoT
IoTConnect
You need to leverage new technologies like AI, deep learning and data mining to make the most of your investment. You also need to understand the data journey, from edge to enterprise. This is where IoTConnect becomes your most powerful tool.

We have defined a number of Technology Focus Points. For these topics, we are engaging with various suppliers to develop, enhance and customize their software enablement to provide even better solutions to our customers and help you secure projects for Avnet Silica.
Tech Focus PointsTSN has been a major topic in industrial automation for some time, and “TSN – enabled” SoCs and FPGA IP cores are becoming available from multiple suppliers. Although many of these solutions proudly claim to have “TSN support”, the picture is different when digging deeper.
TSN OfferingWe believe that security should never be an afterthought and should be considered right in the architectural phase of a project. In many cases, our security experience is used right from the start of a project to engage in discussions about requirements and potential approaches.
Security OfferingTuxVision is a reference design and shows capabilities of a GStreamer based design implemented in high performance Xilinx MPSoC. As a simple demonstration, the video-streams of 4 Full-HD cameras are partitioned on 4 quadrants of a 4K screen.
TuxVisionTools
Design Hub
Browse and review over a thousand proven reference designs to accelerate your design process. Try our design tool and then export it to your CAD tool of choice.

Solutions
Internet of Things
Avnet Silica has the perfect supplier offering to enable you to put your product development into the Internet of Things.

Technical support
Online Support Service
Our European team of expert engineers is dedicated to helping you solve your technical challenges. Get support for a specific product, get technical advice or find alternatives for a specific product.

Contact us
Have a question?
Int. Freecall - 00800 412 412 11 | Product or shop-related inquiries: OnlineSupportEU@avnet.com | Content-related questions: yourmessage@avnet.eu
