The Linux Foundation Announces New Members from Throughout Europe

Europe-based companies invet in protecting, promoting and advancing the Linux operating system

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., October 11, 2011 – The Linux Foundation, the nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the growth of Linux, today announced that seven Europe-based companies are joining the organization: Codethink, KeyPoint Technologies, Lanedo, Meinberg Funkuhren, Picochip, Puzzle ITC and RPA RusBITech.

These companies are joining The Linux Foundation to collaborate on advancing Linux across industries and throughout Europe and the rest of the world. They will come together at the first-ever LinuxCon Europe taking place in Prague, Czech Republic later this month, October 26-28, 20011.

Europe has been the birthplace for many open source software projects, including Linux. The development community in Europe remains strong with many of the top individual Linux kernel contributors based in the region (read details in The Linux Foundation’s Who Writes Linux report, 2010. Today’s new members recognize the opportunities to maximize investments in Linux by contributing to this community. These companies and organizations include:

Codethink is helping system integrators to harness the power of Linux and open source developer stacks in demanding, real-time and embedded projects for mobile, consumer electronics, automotive and industrial devices.

“We see Linux being exploited more and more for device applications requiring full architecture design, internet and cloud connectivity, security, optimized on-device sync storage and real-time performance,” said Paul Sherwood, CEO, Codethink. “As Linux Foundation members, we aim to work with the core Linux community to create optimal solutions for the device space.”

KeyPoint Technologies, based in the UK, hosts the open source community project OpenAdaptxtÔ, which is a next-generation text input platform and standard. It is enabling OEMs, solution providers, developers, linguists and end users to improve the quality and effectiveness of text input experiences on all types of connected devices and applications by leveraging artificial, linguistic and social intelligence.

“We’re able to work on a variety of projects with The Linux Foundation because it supports all Linux-based mobile OSes,” said Sunil Motaparti, CTO, KeyPoint Technologies. “We hope that by joining The Linux Foundation we can share our expertise on developing advanced text input solutions for connected devices and applications and contribute to the bank of collective expertise that advances Linux in this space.”

Lanedo provides professional open source software development consultancy globally, helping businesses to get innovation, open source based products to market. Lanedo is one of the few highly specialized companies that can guarantee optimum interaction with open source communities by providing businesses with experienced developers from open source communities such as NetworkManager,  LibreOffice, and GTK+. Read more about their projects at http://www.lanedo.com/projects.

“The Linux Foundation hosts a variety of Open Source software projects and supports community development,” said Martyn Russell, founder and CEO of Lanedo GmbH. “By becoming a member of The Linux Foundation, we can be on the leading edge of new technologies and provide customers with the very latest developments.”

Meinberg Funkuhren is a German-based developer and manufacturer of electronic devices and systems for time and frequency synchronization and distribution. A number of Meinberg’s products run Linux, and the company is seeing Linux’s role in these devices increasing.

“Linux is the foundation for next-generation electronic devices, and it is important to us to contribute to the future of the platform in our marketplace,” said Heiko Gerstung, managing director, Meinberg Funkuhren. “By joining The Linux Foundation we will be involved in community projects and events that help us get even more from our Linux participation.”

Picochipis based in the UK and provides technology products that enable new types of cellular communications service. The company’s primary expertise is in the design of semiconductors for femtocells, which are low-cost cellular base stations for use in residential, enterprise, and rural and metropolitan environments. Picochip’s technology is currently in use by more than 100 network operators, including eight of the global top ten.

“Linux is the foundation for next-generation telecommunications, from networks to devices to basestations to M2M communications,” said Dr Doug Pulley, CTO and co-founder, Picochip. “It’s important to us to contribute to the work of The Linux Foundation and the Linux community to help advance the operating system in these areas.”

Puzzle ITC is a leading open source service provider based in Berne, Switzerland. Puzzle provides individual software and systems projects, almost exclusively with open technologies and standards. The company, which was founded eleven years ago, has grown continuously with the increasing role of open source software and now has 46 employees.

“Linux is the dominant operating system for development and deployment at Puzzle ITC and among its customers,” said Mark Waber, managing director of Puzzle ITC. “Our Linux Foundation membership will help us collaborate with the community on important technologies that advance Linux for our development work.”

RPA RusBITech is located in Russia where government support for Linux is strong. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has mandated that government will migrate to Linux and open source software by 2015. RPA RusBITech uses Linux and open source software to help manufacture complex training systems for a new generation of information and automation systems, decision support systems, domestic software general-purpose development and creation of information security and telecommunications.

“Linux is a strategic technology for RPA RusBITech, allowing us to focus our resources on innovation and speed,” said Vladislav Lyapin, CEO, RPA RusBITech. “Our membership in The Linux Foundation will ensure we understand how best to collaborate with the global community to maximize our investment in Linux to help advance the operating system for all.”

“We are inspired by the support and collaboration from companies throughout the world. Today’s happy to welcome our newest members from Europe,” said Amanda McPherson, vice president of marketing and developer programs at The Linux Foundation. “Europe remains fertile ground where new technologies can grow through collaboration. We’re looking forward to our first opportunity to work face-to-face with these companies at LinuxCon Europe.”


About The Linux Foundation

The Linux Foundation is a nonprofit consortium dedicated to fostering the growth of Linux. Founded in 2000, the organization sponsors the work of Linux creator Linus Torvalds and promotes, protects and advances the Linux operating system by marshaling the resources of its members and the open source development community. The Linux Foundation provides a neutral forum for collaboration and education by hosting Linux conferences, including LinuxCon, and generating original Linux research and content that advances the understanding of the Linux platform. Its web properties, including Linux.com, reach approximately two million people per month and include important Linux video resources. The organization also provides extensive Linux training opportunities that feature the Linux kernel community’s leading experts as instructors. Follow The Linux Foundation on Twiter. 

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Trademarks: The Linux Foundation, Linux Standard Base, MeeGo, Tizen and Yocto Project are trademarks of The Linux Foundation. Linux is a trademark of Linus Torvalds.