Energi Technical Marketing

Organisers of the recent UK Embedded Masterclass, an annual hi-tech developers conference, have announced that Dr Michael Pont of TTE Systems Ltd was voted "The Best Presenter". With just a whiteboard and his wit and charm, Michael discussed the advantages of developing software using a 'Time-Triggered' methodology, as opposed to a multi-tasking interrupt driven software architecture.

Michael's performance was dynamic, informative, humorous at times and serious when relating his technology to safety critical issues. In many ways, his message regarding 'time-triggered architectures' challenged the traditional approach to software development, ensuring that the presentation was both provocative and compelling. In addition to this, Michael expressed a deep understanding of real-time embedded system development and was able to handle several difficult questions about this complex subject.

In a close second place was Paul Tingey from Wind River who presented a discussion regarding the challenges of developing software for multi-core and multi-processor systems. Again, this was considered informative and well presented.

"The non PowerPoint approach was welcomed by all of the delegates, the feedback was most emphatic," said Richard Blackburn, Managing Director of marketing company Energi, who managed and promoted the event.

"It certainly gave the presentations a much more dynamic and spontaneous feel and also the delegates felt more free to interrupt and challenge specific issues. It really lifted the quality of the entire event. We are very pleased to have moved away from the PowerPoint format. This was much more fun and informative. Time just flew by."

In addition to requesting the presenters to use a whiteboard, the organisers also arranged a poll, so that delegates could vote for the most informative presentation. The prize for the winning presenter was £200. With this new approach, attendance at each of the presentations was much improved on previous years.

"We decided last year that we needed to raise the standard of the presentations," said Richard. "We know that an engineer’s time is valuable, so we wanted to ensure that the delegates attending the event gained information of real value. Having the presenters use a whiteboard encouraged them to prepare their presentations well in advance and put a lot of effort into their performance. Knowing that they were going to be judged also helped raise the standards. It was very productive and I feel sure engineers will be keen to revisit the event next year as a result of these changes."

The Embedded Masterclass has now been running for 10 years and plans for next year’s event are already well advanced. Billed as a ‘non-sales’ forum where hi-tech developers can meet key vendors from around the world, the event facilitates the sharing of knowledge with regards to the latest in tools, software and hardware for the development of microprocessor based systems. Key to the event is a series of half-day technology workshops.

Having grown year on year, this year’s event was sponsored by 36 vendors and attracted exhibiting companies from the US, Canada, Germany, Sweden, France, Poland and the UK.

Picture : Michael Pont, Managing Director of TTE Systems (left) with Richard Blackburn, Managing Director of Energi

For more information about the Embedded Masterclass visit www.embedded-masterclass.com

A white paper relating to Michael Pont’s presentation is available at : www.embedded-masterclass.com/time-triggered.pdf

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Energi Contact :
Richard Blackburn
+44 (0)1603 278228
richard@energi-tech.co.uk

TTE Systems Contact :
Dr Michael Pont
+44 (0)116 223 1684
m.pont@tte-systems.com
www.tte-systems.com