The acquisition of TASKING by Protel — your questions answered
Protel International Limited's acquisition of TASKING is the first of its kind for a Desktop EDA vendor. The combination of Protel and TASKING consolidates the significant experience and technology of two market leaders which will shape the Embedded Software Design and EDA industries in years to come. Together we will become the first desktop electronic software developer to provide designers with a true 'single source' for their software and hardware design tool requirements.
Our philosophy is a simple one — we want every designer in the world to have access to the best possible design tools at an affordable price, and to make the PC desktop the most powerful, productive and cost-effective design platform. This is essential if we are to continue to see great innovation.
Questions
Why did Protel acquire TASKING?
What does the acquisition mean to me as a customer?
What will happen to the TASKING line of products?
Who will support my TASKING products?
Why did Protel acquire TASKING?
Traditionally, the EDA industry has seen clear lines of demarcation between design tools for hardware and software. Embedded software development in particular has been treated by tool vendors as completely separate from the hardware design process. However this needs to change as seen by recent industry trends. Individual engineers are increasingly playing key roles across more areas of the design process, including both hardware and software. This, combined with the trends towards hardware/software co-design and 'system-on-chip design' methodologies, has blurred the lines between the software and hardware design flows.
Already a successful provider of leading desktop board-level (PCB) and programmable chip-level (FPGA) design tools, Protel's focus is and has always been on providing a complete and affordable tool-set for all forms of electronic design. TASKING is a leading supplier worldwide of embedded software design tools and has exceptional strengths in embedded 8/16 bit and DSP software development, which are closely related with corresponding hardware design processes. Protel intends to utilize the synergy between its current hardware design products and TASKING's software design products to meet every design requirement of its current and future customers - offering a complete tool set for electronic design.
The combination of Protel and TASKING presents an industry first and creates a significant opportunity to bridge the gap between electronics design tools for hardware and software. This will give electronic designers access to a full range of electronic hardware design and software development tools from a single supplier!
What does the acquisition mean to me as a customer?
The acquisition is great news for you and brings new opportunities for TASKING, its products and its customers. Protel would like to extend a warm welcome to all TASKING customers. Rest assured that you will continue to receive full service and support for your products through TASKING's existing support channels. The TASKING Embedded Applications (TEA) group will continue to develop customized applications using Software Development Tools, RTOS and Embedded Internet Products.
Both TASKING and Protel customers are looking for powerful complete solutions to address next-generation electronic design challenges so they will greatly benefit from being able to purchase hardware design and software development tools from a single source. Protel's ongoing product development, reputation for customer support and strong financial position, following a successful IPO in August 1999, serve to provide TASKING customers with a solid backing for the future and continued investment in embedded communications software development. In conjunction with Protel's relentless focus on the development of desktop EDA tools, together we can provide a complete set of solutions for the entire electronic design process.
What will happen to the TASKING line of products?
All existing TASKING product lines will continue to be developed and fully supported. The TASKING Embedded Applications (TEA) group will also continue to develop Embedded Applications services for customers worldwide and TASKING's worldwide offices will continue to provide customers with local support.
In combination with Protel's considerable expertise in tool integration and easy-to-use design tools, Protel and TASKING will provide affordable embedded design solutions and a single source for all tools needed by engineers to design electronic systems.
What about pricing?
At the heart of Protel's philosophy is the desire to provide all designers with easy access to the latest and most powerful design tools available, making our products the clear choice as opposed to high-priced tools from work-station-focused EDA vendors. Together Protel and TASKING will continue this philosophy, providing easy-to-access solutions for all embedded software designers.
Who will support my TASKING products?
TASKING's staff will continue to sell and support TASKING's line of products as they have done in the past. In addition, existing international Value-Added Resellers (VARs) remain on board to sell and service your products in their respective territories.