Advantech is a Taiwanese company, in the industrial control industry is relatively high visibility, the product is also good, but the appearance is really like the owner said, not very good-looking (industrial control machine are relatively ugly). I used to do a lot of projects with Advantech industrial control machine, it is recommended to choose Advantech. Your direct contact is usually an agent, not Advantech manufacturers of people is normal.
I have heard of Advantech, but have not used their products, may be like the Internet said to learn to do Advantech things, as for the Synerchip I have not heard of.