Thomas Swidler

Finding additional customer usages beyond gaming for the Playstation 3 and promoting its powerful multi-core CELL Broadband Engine architecture. Worked with external groups and third parties to provide a Linux operating system and applications for the PS3. Created alliances with IBM, Toshiba, MIT and Georgia Tech to promote awareness and development around the CELL B.E. architecture.

On behalf of Sony and together with Toshiba, I co-founded the Consumer Electronics Linux Forum which grew into a multi-national industry forum, with well over 70 companies. Its focus was to improve the Linux kernel with an eye on consumer products. I was elected Treasurer and Executive Director of this organization. I headed a Sony Linux team to improve boot-up time, security and foot print of the Linux kernel. Created a new division within the Sony targeted to bridge the analog to the digital.

I implemented a cross functional product planning team. Members were compiled from engineering, sales and marketing, field support and manufacturing. I represented the software engineering group. Replaced an outdated array of processors on custom boards with a single main processor and a graphics chip on standard VME boards. Replaced a custom build operating system with an off-the-shelf OS. Implemented architecture and design methodologies, version control and bug tracking...

EE, Business