Technology Obsolescence versus Rapidly Advancing Commercial Technology Main Theme of VITA Military Embedded Electronics and Computing Conference

Scottsdale, Arizona. -- June 1, 2005 -- Military embedded electronics and computing market users and suppliers converged in Long Beach at the first annual Military Embedded Electronics and Computing Conference (MEECC) recently to discuss the needs of the defense departments for solutions to their embedded electronics challenges. Keynote speaker Brigadier General Ted F. Bowlds, Deputy for Acquisition, Aeronautical Systems Center, U. S. Air Force Material Command, highlighted recent changes in the procurement structure in the Air Force to encourage more efficient specification and purchasing processes of commercial components. In addition, he commented on key challenges for the future: diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages along with reduced market leverage on commercial electronics suppliers.

MEECC’s Principle Speaker, Ted J. Glum, the Director of Defense Microelectronics Activity, echoed General Bowlds’ comments and pointed out that there is an ever increasing Department of Defense dependency on microelectronics for ‘smart’ weapon systems with extended system life cycles over 20 years, and the very dynamic market for electronic technology is difficult to predict. He emphasized that while commercially available electronics make new solutions possible, there are still many trends that oppose the needs of the defense market.

This inaugural MEECC event combined with the established CoolCon focusing on the cooling needs of the electronics industry. A full two days of information was exchanged between suppliers and users of electronics at this conference, with commercial technology suppliers introducing 14 new products from components to systems with both hardware and software. Several new products featured field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) to address custom needs of defense program applications.

Ray Alderman, executive director of VITA commented, “The Military Embedded Electronics and Computing Conference brings supply and demand elements together in a forum where they can share needs and challenges facing each in the demanding environmental requirements of various defense programs. This event was created to fill a void in communications between the government program offices and electronics suppliers.”

“More than 95% of the attendees reported that the conference was informative and would significantly impact their strategies within this industry,” continued Alderman. “Plans are underway to make next year’s event even more informative for the industry.”

About the Military Embedded Electronics and Computing Conference

The Military Embedded Electronics and Computing Conference examines business and technical issues related to the embedded products manufactured for the government markets. Focusing on the unique needs of both embedded users and suppliers, the all-new MEECC show is an essential forum for uniformed and non-uniformed persons engaged in the design, development, deployment and support of electronics and computers for the military. Presentations and photos from the conference can be found at www.meecc.com.

About VITA

VITA, the VMEbus International Trade Association, is an incorporated, non-profit organization of vendors and users having a common market interest. Founded in 1984, VITA believes in and champions open system architectures as opposed to proprietary system architectures. VITA’s activities are international in scope. The functions performed by VITA are technical, promotional and user-related and are aimed at increasing the total market size, providing vendors with additional market exposure and providing users with timely technical information.

Today, VITA's mission includes not only promoting VMEbus, but also promoting the very concept of open technology as embodied in the many standards currently under development within the VITA Standards Organization. Virtually all players in all markets from the smallest to the largest now use the word "open" in their company and product promotions. The VITA name is now synonymous with open systems. VITA's continuing goal is to unite manufacturers and users through the acceptance and implementation of open technology standards.

For information about VITA membership, or to find out how to obtain VITA specifications, visit the VITA website at www.vita.com or call VITA headquarters at 1 480 837 7486.