Timesys vs Data Respons: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Timesys (4.1/5) edges ahead of Data Respons (3.9/5) overall. Timesys is the better choice for programs needing long-term embedded Linux security patching and CVE tracking. Data Respons is the stronger option for nordic and multi-sector programs needing embedded engineering across regulated verticals. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Timesys vs Data Respons: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Timesys | Data Respons |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1996 | 1986 |
| HQ | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA | Høvik, Norway |
| Team size | 51–200 | 1,400 |
| Rating | 4.1 / 5 | 3.9 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Nearly three-decade specialization in embedded Linux security patching and multi-year maintenance tooling, now under Lynx Software Technologies | Nearly 40-year Nordic embedded specialist spanning eight distinct sectors, now backed by Akkodis scale after two ownership transitions |
| Pricing model | Engineering services, tooling licenses | Fixed project, dedicated team |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | Embedded Linux (Yocto), C/C++, Linux kernel security patching | Embedded Linux, C/C++, RTOS |
| Industries served | Industrial IoT, Medical devices, Networking, Consumer Electronics | Transportation & Automotive, Telecom & Media, Energy & Maritime, Medtech, Defense & Security |
Timesys vs Data Respons: overview
Timesys
Timesys Corporation was founded in 1996 by principals associated with Carnegie Mellon University's real-time systems research and built one of the first real-time-enhanced embedded Linux distributions. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with roughly 60 employees, the company's long-running specialty is embedded Linux security patching and long-term maintenance tooling — a specific, underserved niche in a market where most vendors focus on initial development rather than the multi-year support tail. In December 2023, Lynx Software Technologies acquired Timesys; buyers evaluating the company now should confirm directly which legacy Timesys processes and personnel remain in place post-acquisition, since that kind of transition is exactly the sort of thing a procurement team should verify rather than assume.
Data Respons
Data Respons, founded in 1986 and headquartered in Høvik, Norway, develops embedded systems across transport & automotive, telecom & media, industrial automation, energy & maritime, medtech, space, defense & security, and finance & public sectors, employing roughly 1,400 people across Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and Taiwan. AKKA Technologies acquired Data Respons via a compulsory share acquisition completed in May 2020, delisting it from the Oslo Stock Exchange; AKKA itself later became part of Akkodis (Adecco Group). For a buyer specifically evaluating whether Data Respons retains an independent embedded delivery identity post-acquisition, the answer appears to be yes — the practice remains genuinely embedded-focused rather than folded into a generalist engineering pool, but confirming current team continuity directly is still worthwhile given two ownership transitions in five years.
Services and capabilities: Timesys vs Data Respons
| Capability | Timesys | Data Respons |
|---|---|---|
| RTOS firmware development | ✓ | ✓ |
| Embedded Linux (Yocto/BuildRoot) | ✓ | ✓ |
| FPGA programming (Verilog/VHDL) | ✗ | ✗ |
| Hardware & PCB / electrical engineering | ✗ | ✓ |
| IoT connectivity & protocols | ✗ | ✓ |
| Edge AI / on-device ML | ✗ | ✗ |
| Embedded GUI development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Cybersecurity & secure boot | ✓ | ✗ |
| Staff augmentation / team extension | ✗ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: Timesys vs Data Respons
| Framework / platform | Timesys | Data Respons |
|---|---|---|
| FreeRTOS | N/A | N/A |
| Zephyr | N/A | N/A |
| Embedded Linux | ✓ | ✓ |
| AUTOSAR | N/A | N/A |
| AWS | N/A | N/A |
| Bluetooth | N/A | N/A |
| LoRaWAN | N/A | N/A |
| CAN bus | N/A | N/A |
| Qt | N/A | N/A |
| Verilog | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: Timesys vs Data Respons
| Criterion | Timesys | Data Respons |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Engagement models | Engineering services, Tooling/licensing | Fixed project, Dedicated team |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Timesys vs Data Respons
| Dimension | Timesys | Data Respons |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Industrial IoT, Medical devices, Networking | Transportation & Automotive, Telecom & Media, Energy & Maritime |
| Best use cases | Products with long product-support commitments needing ongoing embedded Linux CVE monitoring and patching, Real-time Linux systems needing specialist kernel-level engineering from a team with research-grade origins | Maritime or defense programs needing embedded systems with Nordic regulatory familiarity, Medtech products requiring embedded engineering from a multi-sector specialist team with a long independent operating history |
| Typical project type | Engineering services | Fixed project |
Timesys vs Data Respons: pros and cons
| Timesys | |
|---|---|
| + | Explicit specialty in the multi-year maintenance tail (security patching, CVE monitoring) that most embedded vendors treat as an afterthought |
| + | Carnegie Mellon-linked founding team gives the company real-time Linux research credibility dating to the mid-1990s |
| + | Long operating history (since 1996) means extensive documentation and tooling maturity |
| - | Acquired by Lynx Software Technologies in December 2023 — confirm directly which legacy Timesys team and processes are still active before committing |
| - | Team size (~60) caps capacity for large concurrent programs relative to bigger engineering firms |
| - | No public pricing or minimum engagement figures for pre-qualification |
| Data Respons | |
|---|---|
| + | Nearly 40 years of embedded systems specialization across eight distinct sectors, from maritime to medtech to defense |
| + | Nordic regional presence (Norway, Sweden, Denmark) plus Germany and Taiwan offices supports European and APAC delivery |
| + | Retains a genuinely embedded-focused delivery team despite two ownership transitions (AKKA in 2020, then Akkodis) |
| - | Two ownership transitions in five years (AKKA Technologies 2020, then folded into Akkodis) — confirm current team continuity directly before committing |
| - | 1,400-employee scale sits below the largest global engineering firms for very large concurrent programs |
| - | No public pricing or minimum engagement figures published |
Who should choose Timesys?
A typical fit: products with long product-support commitments needing ongoing embedded Linux CVE monitoring and patching.
Nearly three-decade specialization in embedded Linux security patching and multi-year maintenance tooling, now under Lynx Software Technologies. Minimum engagement starts at Not disclosed. Works best with clients in Industrial IoT, Medical devices, Networking, Consumer Electronics.
Who should choose Data Respons?
A typical fit: maritime or defense programs needing embedded systems with Nordic regulatory familiarity.
Nearly 40-year Nordic embedded specialist spanning eight distinct sectors, now backed by Akkodis scale after two ownership transitions. Minimum engagement starts at Not disclosed. Works best with clients in Transportation & Automotive, Telecom & Media, Energy & Maritime, Medtech, Defense & Security.
Decision matrix: Timesys vs Data Respons
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Data Respons |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Data Respons |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Timesys (Not disclosed) vs Data Respons (Not disclosed) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Data Respons |
| You need staff augmentation or team extension | Neither; consider alternatives that offer staff aug |
| You need consulting before committing to a build | Timesys |
Use case fit: Timesys vs Data Respons
| Use case | Timesys fit | Data Respons fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Products with long product-support commitments needing ongoing embedded Linux CVE monitoring and patching | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Real-time Linux systems needing specialist kernel-level engineering from a team with research-grade origins | Strong | Limited | Timesys |
| Maritime or defense programs needing embedded systems with Nordic regulatory familiarity | Limited | Strong | Data Respons |
| Medtech products requiring embedded engineering from a multi-sector specialist team with a long independent operating history | Limited | Strong | Data Respons |
| Fixed-price build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Staff augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: Timesys vs Data Respons
Timesys (4.1/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Embedded Software Development projects. Nearly three-decade specialization in embedded Linux security patching and multi-year maintenance tooling, now under Lynx Software Technologies.
Data Respons (3.9/5) is worth a look if you need medtech products requiring embedded engineering from a multi-sector specialist team with a long independent operating history. If your situation matches that, Data Respons is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Timesys vs Data Respons FAQ
Is Timesys better than Data Respons?
Timesys (4.1/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Timesys's strongest advantage: explicit specialty in the multi-year maintenance tail (security patching, CVE monitoring) that most embedded vendors treat as an afterthought. Data Respons's strongest advantage: nearly 40 years of embedded systems specialization across eight distinct sectors, from maritime to medtech to defense.
How do Timesys and Data Respons differ in pricing?
Timesys uses engineering services, tooling licenses pricing with a minimum engagement of Not disclosed. Data Respons uses fixed project, dedicated team pricing with a minimum engagement of Not disclosed. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: Timesys or Data Respons?
Timesys is the larger team and typically the better enterprise-scale choice. For very large programmes, verify team size and compliance coverage directly with each company before shortlisting.
What are the main differences between Timesys and Data Respons?
Timesys's primary differentiator is: nearly three-decade specialization in embedded Linux security patching and multi-year maintenance tooling, now under Lynx Software Technologies. Data Respons's primary differentiator is: nearly 40-year Nordic embedded specialist spanning eight distinct sectors, now backed by Akkodis scale after two ownership transitions. They also differ in team size (51–200 vs 1,400), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Industrial IoT, Medical devices vs Transportation & Automotive, Telecom & Media).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.