REDMOND, Wash. ― July 5, 2011 ― Today, more and more businesses rely on devices to interact with end users and customers. The retail and hospitality industry, for example, provides a unique opportunity for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to create compelling and engaging point of service (POS) devices ― including digital signage, cash registers, self-service kiosks and fuel pumps ― that offer a differentiated user experience.
To better help OEMs and retailer and hospitality organizations take advantage of this opportunity, today Microsoft announced the general availability of Windows Embedded POSReady 7.
Windows Embedded POSReady 7, previously released in community technology preview at this year’s National Retail Federation 100th Annual Convention & Expo, provides retail and hospitality businesses with enhanced transaction processing that increases customer satisfaction, loyalty and staff productivity while reducing in-store operational costs. In addition, Windows Embedded POSReady 7 delivers the power of the Windows 7 platform to specialized POS devices, providing rich immersive user experiences that attract and engage customers with eye-catching graphics and a familiar interface.
Furthermore, devices running on Windows Embedded POSReady 7 will be fully supported by Windows Embedded Device Manager 2011, the recently launched solution that extends the capabilities of System Center Configuration Manager 2007 to help control and organize enterprise devices running on Windows Embedded POSReady 7, among others. With this capability, enterprise IT professionals are provided with one simple system that can make simultaneous updates across the enterprise.
Windows Embedded POSReady 7 launches with support from many global partners, including IBM, NEC Infrontia, Touch Dynamic, Fujitsu, NCR and HP. Key features of Windows Embedded POSReady 7 include the following:
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Support for Windows Touch multigesture touch interfaces to provide users with intuitive graphics
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Windows Media Player 12 for a seamless multimedia experience on POS devices
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AppLocker, a simple and flexible mechanism that allows administrators to specify exactly what is allowed to run on their POS devices
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Enhanced security features through BitLocker, BitLocker To Go and Encrypting File System for increased encryption of internal hard disks, local folders, and external thumb drives and hard disks, giving IT administrators greater protection of highly important data from unauthorized users or external attackers
To learn more about the GA of Windows Embedded POSReady 7 and other Windows Embedded news check out the Windows Embedded POSReady 7 and Windows Embedded retail and hospitality Web pages, as well as Twitter.
