Lynx Takes Microsoft Development Tools to Real-Time

VisualLynx integrates Visual Studio IDE with real-time OS to support collaborative design teams

SAN JOSÉ, Calif.—February 15, 1999—Lynx Real-Time Systems, Inc. today announced VisualLynx, the software industry's first product to integrate the Microsoft Visual Studio interactive development environment (IDE) with a major real-time operating system (RTOS). Experienced Windows-based developers can now use the familiar and intuitive Visual Studio design process to create real-time applications. The combination of Visual Studio and VisualLynx specifically addresses the fast development and deployment of complex software targeted to hard real-time applications including telecommunications, data communications, avionics and medical equipment.

"VisualLynx demonstrates our commitment to go with industry standards, rather than to develop proprietary tools," said John Seaton, vice president of marketing for Lynx. "Visual Studio is the standard for Windows-based software development and supports the cooperative/distributed team development paradigm. This opens substantial user base to Lynx that complements our leadership position in the UNIX® development world, and extends Microsoft's reach into the hard real-time world."

As many companies move toward larger software design teams, reuse of legacy software, and incorporation of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) embedded software modules to meet time-to-market pressure, the reliable processing environment of LynxOS makes it an attractive and efficient solution. Visual Studio provides powerful and innovative Visual C++ language, team development, and application lifecycle tools. VisualLynx contains real-time debugging tools along with wizards and application windows to extend Visual Studio to real-time target processors. Combining LynxOS, Visual Lynx, and Visual Studio accelerates the creation and debugging of new designs.

Visual Studio

Microsoft Visual Studio 6.0 provides a comprehensive enterprise workbench for developing scalable, distributed applications for embedded real-time applications, Internet and traditional client/server implementations. Visual Studio 6.0 was introduced last September and provides support for application lifecycle, team development, enterprise database design, and component-based development. Visual Studio 6.0 Enterprise Edition also includes a developer and test version of Microsoft BackOffice for easy integration with application services.

VisualLynx

VisualLynx from Lynx Real-Time Systems adds an additional dimension to Visual Studio by providing the capability to develop real-time applications from within the context of Visual Studio. Now developers have a familiar and simple environment with which to create real-time applications with a robust real-time kernel.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq:MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

About Lynx Real-Time Systems

Lynx Real-Time Systems, Inc. is a worldwide supplier of embedded software products including scalable real-time operating systems, development tools and support. These products provide a software foundation for high availability applications in telecommunications, data communications, avionics, automotive, office automation and process control systems. Dedicated to industry standards such as POSIX®, JAVA and CompactPCI, the company enables customers to leverage their investments in software and education. Lynx holds two patents for real-time software and has three patents pending. Founded in 1988, Lynx is a privately held company with offices in the U.S., Europe and Japan, with worldwide headquarters in San José, California.

LynxOS is a registered trademark of Lynx Real-Time Systems, Inc. Other brand or product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of the respective holders.

LynuxWorks press contacts

Kirsten Long Director, Marketing Communications LynuxWorks, Inc. USA +1 408-979-4404	Barbara Stewart Patterson & Associates USA 480-488-6909
Hamid Mirab Managing Director EMEA LynuxWorks Ltd. United Kingdom +44 208-906-9506	Peter van der Sluijs Neesham Public Relations Europe +44 1442-879222