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For embedded and IoT developers, open source is already mainstream. The Eclipse Foundation’s IoT & Embedded Developer Survey found that:

• Three-in-four developers are actively using open‑source technology in their projects, up from 63 percent a year earlier.
• Embedded Linux remains the most popular operating system, with 46 percent of respondents using it for constrained devices.
• 58 percent of the 14.2 billion connected devices worldwide ran Linux in 2024; about 60 percent of IoT gateway devices run embedded Linux.
• Embedded Linux holds 44 percent market share amongst embedded developers.

For PICMG members developing industrial and edge systems, these data points underscore how open‑source software has become the de facto foundation for secure, scalable edge computing.

On the open standards hardware front, market researchers report that the PICMG COM Express standard captured more than 36.5 percent of the global computer-on-module market in 2024 because of its flexibility and history of industry adoption. This dominance is reinforced by broad acceptance across industrial automation, transportation, medical imaging, and defense, where designers value high‑speed interfaces, modularity and robust roadmaps.

Open-source software gives developers transparency and control while delivering demonstrable gains in productivity, security, and quality. Open standards hardware, on the other hand, provides a physical environment for scaling performance and integrating heterogeneous capabilities. Standards like COM Express and COM‑HPC allow OEMs to upgrade processing capabilities without redesigning entire systems, enabling faster time‑to‑market and extending product lifecycles.

PICMG’s open specifications are designed precisely for this environment. Our working groups continue to advance open, modular computing standards, from new COM‑HPC revisions to CompactPCI Serial and MicroTCA that support high‑bandwidth peripherals, AI accelerators, and real‑time control. Through partnerships with the Data Management Task Force (DMTF), VITA Standards Organization (VSO), Open Processor Automation Forum (OPAF), and others, we ensure that PICMG hardware and middleware specifications align with cross‑industry initiatives.

In February 2026 PICMG took another major step by becoming an Associate Member of the Linux Foundation. This decision reflects the growing importance of open‑source software to embedded and edge computing and underscores our belief that hardware and software communities must work collaboratively.

As stated in the announcement, aligning with the world’s leading open‑source ecosystem will help our members build interoperable, future‑proof solutions. The Linux Foundation hosts key projects such as Linux, Kubernetes, Zephyr, RISC‑V, and SPDX. By participating directly in these communities, we will:

• Explore complementary initiatives
• Engage a wider community of developers and solution providers
• Increase the long‑term viability of our standards
• Extend the visibility of PICMG standards, and
• Accelerate development of software tools that simplify deployment of COM‑HPC®, AdvancedTCA®, MicroTCA®, and other PICMG specifications

Looking ahead

Our investment in open software technologies is not new. For years PICMG engineers have collaborated on the DMTF Redfish standard to enable the IoT.x interoperability framework. In the near term we are evaluating Redfish for managing data center and network infrastructure built on AdvancedTCA, AdvancedMC, MicroTCA and COM‑HPC hardware.

Open technology adoption is accelerating across the embedded and IoT edge landscape. Enterprises see open source as essential, developers are building on open software stacks, and OEMs are leveraging open standards hardware to deliver the high‑performance edge systems that Industry 4.0 demands.

PICMG will continue to champion openness – both through our specification work and through deeper collaboration with the global open‑source community. I encourage members to actively participate in working groups, share experiences implementing open software on PICMG platforms, and engage with our Linux Foundation initiatives. Together we can ensure that the next generation of embedded and edge computing remains open, interoperable, and built to last.

— Doug Sandy, CTO, PICMG

Another year, more open standards. In the coming days we will make significant announcements on three PICMG specifications: 400G AdvancedTCA, CompactPCI Serial, and the IoT.x family of specifications. Keep your eyes peeled for news releases that detail the work product of thousands more hours of contributions from multiple member companies across our vast and growing community.

PICMG’s commitment to fostering collaboration and advancing embedded computing technologies is truly making an impact. The integration of open standards and partnerships with organizations like DMTF, Open Group, VITA, and SGeT certainly accelerates the development of innovative solutions and ensures that the industry can keep up with the rapid pace of technological change.

The upcoming Embedded World event in Nuremberg will be an incredible opportunity for attendees to see firsthand the latest advancements in the industry, particularly with the demos and exhibits from over forty member organizations. It will also be a rare opportunity for talented individuals from across the PICMG family to interact in person, and the organization wants to facilitate those valuable exchanges. Large events like this also benefit from proactive safety measures, which is why some organizers consider Fire Watch Services in Atlanta to help keep venues monitored and secure during busy gatherings.

On Wednesday, March 12th at 12 PM Central European Time (CET) PICMG will be hosting a networking lunch in the Mitte entrance (train side of Nuremberg Messe) lobby. We invite all PICMG members, as well as individuals from companies and organizations who would like to learn more about our work with open standards, to attend.

The PICMG booth at 5-320 will likely be another likely hotspot for those wanting to learn more about the standards and how they are shaping the future of embedded systems. And if that weren’t enough, there is once again a conference track dedicated to PICMG (and SGeT) technologies taking place on Thursday, March 13th from 9:30 AM to 11:15 AM CET.

If you’re attending the event, don’t be a stranger. Reach out to [email protected], [email protected] or schedule a meeting https://calendly.com/brandon-picmg/30min.

We’d love to hear from you! See you in Nuremberg!

As PICMG’s 30th anniversary comes to a close, it’s worth reflecting on the incredible progress and momentum built over the past three decades. Today, we are a vibrant, diverse community of engineers and innovators with member companies from more than 20 countries. These organizations are responsible for expanding PICMG’s global influence, as well as the sustained adoption of PICMG specifications and products in key growth areas.

These growth areas include:

* IoT Expansion
* Edge Computing
* Automation and AI
* Security

The ongoing adoption of open standards is driven by the same core principles that have guided PICMG for three decades: flexibility, vendor-neutral competition (no lock-in), long lifecycle support, and security. We’re proud to support open standards in an embedded computing industry that is forecast to exceed $150 billion USD by 2030—where open standards alone represent about 30% of the market and hardware accounts for a significant portion of that $50 billion.

While we celebrate our successes, we also recognize that many of the early pioneers and members of PICMG are transitioning to new phases in their careers. We thank them for their invaluable contributions and have full confidence that the next generation of engineers will continue to carry forward their legacy of excellence and innovation.

Looking ahead, PICMG remains open to new members. We encourage organizations and companies to get involved, learn more about our work, and explore the many opportunities available to contribute to the future of embedded computing. Visit picmg.org or reach out to me directly at [email protected].

We’re excited for the next chapter in the PICMG journey.

Jess Isquith
President
PICMG
[email protected]