RS Boosts Digital Distribution

RS has recently introduced its groundbreaking embedded software application, marking a significant milestone as one of the pioneering distributors in the industry to provide a fully digital and automated software service on a global scale.

In response to the growing demand for digital distribution and the persistent challenge faced by customers who have to procure hardware and licenses from different sources, this innovative solution allows customers to conveniently purchase corresponding software online. Upon checkout, customers receive downloadable license keys via email within seconds, a stark contrast to the traditional lead time of 2-11 weeks associated with physical purchases. This not only accelerates time to market but also reduces the environmental impact of acquiring physical software in the form of CD-ROMs and USBs.

Phill Smith from RS emphasizes, "Our customers expect a digital service comparable to the consumer world where digital products are available at the click of a button. We listened to their needs and specifically developed this solution to ensure that essential software for hardware functionality is instantly delivered post-checkout. This enables engineers to derive greater value from our extensive range of hardware products while adopting a more sustainable purchasing approach."

Leading suppliers Matrix and SEGGER have joined forces with RS Group to pioneer this integrated approach to procurement. For instance, engineers purchasing Matrix products can now seamlessly access the corresponding Integrated Development Environment (IDE) Matrix Flowcode program for rapid development of electrical, electronic, and electromechanical systems.

FlowCode, a visual IDE tailored for creating and deploying Internet of Things (IoT) applications, empowers users to design IoT solutions using a flow chart programming paradigm. By connecting nodes that represent various functionalities, developers can swiftly prototype and deploy embedded applications without extensive coding knowledge, leveraging an intuitive graphical interface for development.

SEGGER's Embedded Studio offers a versatile multi-platform IDE for managing, building, testing, and deploying embedded applications. Additionally, SEGGER's SystemView serves as a real-time recording and visualization tool for embedded systems, providing in-depth insights into the runtime behavior of applications beyond what traditional debuggers offer. This is particularly beneficial for engineers working on intricate embedded systems with multiple threads and interrupts.

RS has now become a comprehensive one-stop-shop for organizations seeking to purchase boards, eliminating the need to engage purchasing departments to establish relationships with multiple vendors. Smith highlights, "The license keys are accessible globally, with a seamless checkout process that accommodates a wide range of payment methods tailored to specific regions."

For more information, visit the company's software website.