open standards for mezzanine boards

A nonprofit organization dedicated to IndustryPack (IP) and PCI Mezzanine Card (PMC) technologies has now been established in North America. Originally created in Europe in 1994 as GRoupIPC, the organization provides a worldwide forum for the exchange of information within the IP and PMC industry.

Over 30 North American companies have joined the new organization, called GRoupIPC-NA. These include Motorola Computer Group, Force Computers, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Digital Equipment Corp., GreenSpring Computers, System Corp., and Spectrum Signal Processing.

The organization supports open-system solutions based on the internationally recognized IP and PMC mezzanine board standards. Its goal is to promote their use and bring the benefits of stable, multi-vendor standards to embedded designs.

GRoupIPC-NA will promote market acceptance; disseminate information about products, applications, and technology requirements; and provide market and technical support to users, distributors, and manufacturers. The organization will advocate these benefits through trade conferences, tutorials, and articles.

This advocacy is intended to result in greater technological and financial resources for IP and PMC companies. Member companies will also have a direct influence on the definition of new standards and products.

Members receive a packet that includes Mezzanines magazine, a monthly newsletter about market news and new products, and privileged access to the organization's World Wide Web site. For more information, contact Celeste Neumann of GRoupIPC-NA at 937-427-9735, send e-mail to , visit the group's Web site at .