REDMOND, Wash., June 17, 2003 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that Toshiba TEC Corporation, the leading supplier of retail information systems in Japan, has chosen Microsoft® Windows®
CE .NET 4.2 to power its new line of next-generation point-of-sale (POS) terminals, available commercially at the end of the year. Windows CE .NET 4.2 combines Microsoft’s most advanced real-time operating system with powerful tools for rapidly creating
“smart,”
connected and small-footprint devices. Toshiba TEC’s new POS terminals will take advantage of faster performance and improved network capabilities for secure device connections in Windows CE .NET 4.2. The new products will give retailers, such as hotels, convenience stores and shopping centers, POS terminals that are able to accurately manage high-volume data with increased security.
“Windows CE .NET 4.2 offers unique features and access to source code for Toshiba TEC to create innovative, customizable and low-cost POS devices,”
said Todd Warren, general manager of the Embedded Device Group at Microsoft.
“Windows CE .NET-based devices enable retailers to stay highly productive and cost-effective while managing large volumes of transactions and data with enhanced precision and security.”
“As the largest supplier of POS systems in Japan, our goal is to provide a flexible platform that helps retailers deliver better service to customers while allowing sales staff to be more productive. Toshiba TEC evaluated a range of embedded operating systems carefully and chose Windows CE .NET 4.2,”
said Hiroshi Wada, vice president and technology executive at Toshiba TEC.
“By standardizing our platform on CrossMission, our business application framework built with Visual Studio® .NET 2003, the .NET Framework and Windows CE .NET 4.2, we will be able to provide the distribution service industry with the latest POS systems and distribution solutions utilizing Internet technology. Further, with access to the operating system source code, Toshiba TEC can customize the POS terminal operating system according to customer specifications.”
Next-Generation POS to Ease Data Management
To manage the flow of their business, high-volume retail outlets require a POS solution that can perform transactions and handle a high volume of data securely and accurately. Based on Windows CE .NET, the new POS system will enable retailers to improve customer service by providing customers with a new line of products that help enable increased productivity, improved accuracy, optimal security and fault tolerance. In addition, Windows CE .NET enables Toshiba TEC to offer .NET-compatible business applications for seamless, integrated data management.
Microsoft .NET Connected Technologies: Custom Offerings for Retail Industry
Microsoft .NET software connects disparate information, people, systems, organizations and devices, enabling increased productivity, lower total cost of ownership, improved solutions, and the flexibility to help companies connect, react and compete in a global marketplace. Together, Windows CE .NET, Microsoft’s Web Services Enhancements for Microsoft .NET, Microsoft SQL Server (TM) and Windows Server (TM) create a unique, customized .NET-connected offering to meet Toshiba TEC’s technology needs.
Windows CE .NET 4.2 offers componentization that allows retailers to deploy a smaller operating system image on less-costly hardware. Point-of-sale terminals based on Windows CE .NET feature broad compatibility with applications developed for Windows desktops, enterprise-class networking and connectivity, and Web and multimedia technologies such as Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 and Windows Media®
.
About the Microsoft Windows Embedded Family
Microsoft is the worldwide leader in providing adaptable and scalable platforms for building the next generation of 32-bit, connected devices that enable rich applications and services. Microsoft Windows Embedded is a family of operating system software for use in embedded devices such as automated teller machines (ATMs), consumer electronics, gateways, industrial controllers, kiosks, mobile handheld devices, point-of-sale terminals, set-top boxes, voice over Internet protocol (voice over IP) phones and Windows-based thin clients. The Windows Embedded family of operating systems consists of Windows XP Embedded, which delivers the power of Windows XP Professional in componentized form for flexible development of reliable and advanced devices, and Windows CE .NET, an advanced, real-time operating system for small-footprint devices. Each of these operating system platforms includes powerful development tools for rapid development of customized devices. A Core license with an estimated retail price of $3 (U.S.) provides the rich capabilities of Windows CE .NET 4.2 for creating low-cost commercial and consumer devices. A free, noncommercial distribution license for Windows CE .NET 4.2 enables developers to share device images at no cost to foster innovation and collaboration. More information about the Windows Embedded family of operating systems can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/embedded/default.asp.
About Toshiba TEC Corporation
As a member of the Toshiba Group, Toshiba TEC Corporation has created a responsive organization to meet the needs of customers in three fields: retail information systems, document processing and telecommunication systems, and home electric appliances. Toshiba TEC Corporation is the largest supplier of POS systems for supermarkets and convenience stores in Japan. Information about Toshiba TEC and its products is available at http://www.toshibatec.co.jp/ .
CrossMission is powerful middleware for applications development. It powerfully supports the development of .NET-compatible systems. CrossMission offers a development and execution environment for building a business system, using the Microsoft .NET Framework and Visual Studio .NET. CrossMission provides a robust framework as a middleware for business applications. It is based on Toshiba TEC’s years of expertise on Windows applications development. It enables quick development of mission-critical applications, as well as configuring new business systems compatible with the Web services era. More information on CrossMission is available at http://www.wxfw.net/crossmission_e/home_e.html .
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.
Microsoft, Windows, Visual Studio, Windows Server and Windows Media are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
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