嵌入式系統可以根據云數據存儲和分析能力得到相應擴展，但是在這種設備的整合與云技術之間還存在差距。

Windows Embedded嵌入系統亞太地區和大中華地區的微軟市場營銷總監John Boladian說，在擴大嵌入式計算范圍方面，云計算扮演了“舉足輕重的角色”。主管所指的是Redmond的觀點，他認為，嵌入式設備可以通過云計算承載巨大數量并潛在有效的數據存儲和數據分析。

在接受ZDNet Asia采訪中，Boladian說：“能夠從網絡優勢中獲取情報會對企業創造價值產生深遠變化。”

然而他說，行業還需填補嵌入式系統和未來智能系統之間的空缺。他指出：“在嵌入式設備中應用云計算并整合云技術還處在初級階段。”

雖然存在差距，但他說，嵌入式設備在提供單一功能服務上已經走向成熟并且已經具備了有限的成為更加智能的系統的能力，這多虧了處理能力的提高以及軟件的復雜化。

他還進行了進一步說明，他說，單一功能的嵌入式設備已經演變成了擁有處理器、操作系統和連通性都十分強大的“智能系統”。有了這些智能系統，企業就可以部署那些用來收集、分析和交流數據的復雜并互聯的系統。

Boladian引用了IDC的調查，他說，2010年到2015年間，智能系統會翻兩倍，接下來的五年也是一樣。根據調查公司的報告，擁有連接互聯網能力的嵌入式系統的單位發貨量將從去年的14億增長到2015年的33億。

在亞洲地區，智能系統市場當前價值約1.44億美元。根據IDC預測，2015年前，這一領域將擁有8億設備，收入達45.5億美元。

Boladian補充道，嵌入式市場給那些為此類設備大量生產和銷售硬件軟件的企業提供了“契機”。

Connecting embedded devices to cloud把嵌入式設備與云計算連接

微軟現正致力于開發旨在填補嵌入式設備和云計算之間的空缺的軟件。Boladian進一步指出，1996年軟件供應商就已經帶著他們的Windows CE 1.0產品立足于這個市場。

他說：“在前進的道路上，我們將繼續提供一套把企業軟件和云服務擴展到日用設備的產品，包括像服務點（POS）、產業自動化和醫藥器械等等。”

他指出，像汽車和醫療產業都在尋求嵌入式系統平臺，不僅為了制造汽車和構建設備，還為了創建良好的客戶體驗、提高商業智能。

Boladian 說：“通過充分利用云計算 ，Windows Embedded 嵌入系統正在隨時隨地訪問智能設備內部的‘數據流通’。”

在亞太地區，微軟合作伙伴已在根據現有的Windows Embedded平臺開發軟件，他說。在明年上半年，這些合作伙伴將會有資源計劃下一個Windows Embedded平臺版本，vNext稱。

The functionalities of embedded systems can be extended with cloud-based data storage and analytics capabilities, but there is still gap between the integration of such devices and cloud technologies.

According to John Boladian, Microsoft's marketing director for Asia-Pacific and greater China for Windows Embedded, cloud will play a "pivotal role" in expanding the scope of embedded computing. The executive was referring to Redmond's belief that embedded devices can leverage the vast amount of data storage and analysis available potentially via cloud computing.

"Being able to capture the intelligence from the edge of the network will make a profound change in the value it can deliver for enterprises," said Boladian, in an interview with ZDNet Asia.

However, he said the industry still needs to plug the gap between embedded systems and future intelligent systems. "The adoption of cloud computing as well as the integration of cloud technologies into embedded devices is still at the infancy stage," he noted.

Despite the gap, he said embedded devices have matured from serving single functions and having limited capabilities to become more intelligent systems, thanks to increased processing power and more sophisticated software.

Elaborating, he said single-function embedded devices have evolved to become "smart systems" with powerful processors, operating systems and connectivity. With these smart systems, enterprises are able to deploy complex, interconnected systems that collect, analyze and communicate data, he added.

Quoting research from IDC, Boladian said smart systems will more than double between 2010 and 2015, and again within the next five years. According to the research firm, unit shipment of embedded systems with the ability to connect to the Internet will grow from approximately 1.4 billion last year to over 3.3 billion in 2015.

In Asia, the intelligent systems market is currently worth about US$144 million. By 2015, this segment will clock 800 million units and generate US$455 billion in revenue, according to IDC projections.

Boladian added that the embedded market presented a "tremendous opportunity" for businesses that manufacture and sell hardware and software for such devices.

Microsoft is now focusing its efforts on software that aims to address the gap in integration between embedded devices and the cloud. Boladian further noted that the software vendor has been in this market since 1996 with its Windows CE 1.0 offering.

"Moving forward, we will continue to deliver a suite of products that extend enterprise software and cloud services out to everyday devices, which include examples such as point of service (POS), industrial automation and medical equipment, among others," he said.

He noted that industries such as automotive and medical are looking for an embedded systems platform not only to build cars and devices, but also to create good customer experience and improve business intelligence.

"By taking full advantage of the cloud, Windows Embedded is bringing anytime, anywhere access to the 'data currency' that resides inside our intelligent devices," Boladian said.

In the Asia-Pacific region, Microsoft's partners are already developing software based on the current Windows Embedded platform, he said. In the first half of next year, he added that these partners will also have resources to plan for the next version of the Windows Embedded platform, called vNext.