Linux Online - MontaVista signs Linux deals, cuts staff

MontaVista signs Linux deals, cuts staff


Publication:	News.com	Date:	Jul 06 2001

But times have been tough for embedded Linux companies, as the economic malaise has curtailed customer and manufacturer interest in embedded product categories such as handheld computers and telecommunications equipment. Lineo withdrew its initial public offering plan in January, and LynuxWorks followed suit in June. Red Hat has said customers in the embedded market are delaying orders.

MontaVista was worried that securing financing would be difficult and laid off about 20 percent of its staff in May, lowering its employee count to its current level of about 140, said Sheila Baker, vice president, marketing. Cuts came chiefly from internal computer system operations and from customer support, she said, adding that the company still is hiring a handful of people in sales and marketing.