In This Article
Why BIOS Matters in Industrial Systems
The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) is a critical component of any computer, including industrial and embedded systems. It initializes hardware, manages boot processes, and provides low-level control over system components.
In industrial and embedded environments, the BIOS is more than a “startup screen.” It ensures system reliability, security, and long-term stability under harsh conditions such as extreme temperatures, vibration, and extended runtimes.
Legacy BIOS vs UEFI: What’s the Difference?
Legacy BIOS
- Introduced in the 1980s, traditional BIOS provides basic system initialization and boot management.
- Supports drives up to 2.2TB and uses the MBR (Master Boot Record) partitioning scheme.
- Lightweight and simple, making it suitable for low-power embedded systems or older industrial PCs.
UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface)
- Modern replacement for BIOS, offering advanced features and a more flexible architecture.
- Supports large drives (over 2TB) using GPT partitioning.
- Includes security features like Secure Boot, faster boot times, and GUI-based configuration.
- Ideal for modern industrial and embedded applications where security, remote management, and future-proofing are critical.
Why Industrial and Embedded Systems Use Specific BIOS
Industrial-grade systems often use BIOS/UEFI customized for:
- Harsh environment reliability: Tested to handle vibration, temperature extremes, and electrical noise.
- Security: Features like Secure Boot prevent unauthorized firmware or software from running.
- Long lifecycle support: Industrial PCs may remain in service for 10+ years; BIOS updates are carefully managed to avoid breaking certification.
- Specialized hardware: Embedded systems may integrate specialized I/O modules, custom sensors, or expansion cards that require BIOS-level support.
Selecting the Right BIOS for Your Project
When designing or upgrading an industrial system, consider:
- System requirements: Does your application need Secure Boot, network boot, or support for large storage?
- Hardware compatibility: Ensure the BIOS supports your processor, RAM, SSDs, and peripheral devices.
- Update and maintenance: Industrial BIOS often comes with long-term firmware support and rollback features.
- Certification needs: Changing BIOS or firmware can affect compliance with medical, marine, or hazardous environment standards.
Custom BIOS Solutions from BVM
At BVM, we understand that industrial and embedded systems often require more than standard BIOS or UEFI configurations. That’s why we offer custom BIOS solutions tailored to your exact hardware, application, and certification requirements.
With our expertise, we can:
- Enable or disable specific hardware features to optimize system performance and security.
- Integrate custom boot sequences for specialized industrial or embedded applications.
- Implement secure boot policies and firmware-level restrictions to meet regulatory requirements.
- Provide long-term firmware support for systems with extended lifecycles, reducing the risk of compatibility issues.
By customizing the BIOS, BVM ensures your systems are fully optimized, compliant, and reliable, even in demanding environments such as medical, marine, or hazardous industrial settings.
Contact BVM for Industrial and Embedded Expertise
Choosing and configuring the right BIOS for your system can be complex. At BVM, we have over 35 years of experience designing, supplying, and supporting industrial and embedded computer hardware.
Contact us for guidance on BIOS selection, firmware updates, and system configuration:
📞 Call our sales team on 01489 780144 or 📧 Email sales@bvmltd.co.uk
Ensure your industrial and embedded systems are reliable, secure, and future-proof with expert advice from BVM.
Ready to Discuss Your Project?
Contact BVM for all your Industrial and Embedded Computing OEM/ODM design, manufacturing or distribution needs. With over 35 years of experience, we supply standard hardware and design custom solutions tailored to your requirements.
Reach our expert sales team on 01489 780144 or email us at sales@bvmltd.co.uk.