Windows POSReady 2009 Available

Despite bad economic news for the retail sector, Microsoft announced the availability of the latest version of its embedded OS for point-of-service (POS) devices, Windows Embedded POSReady 2009, at the National Retail Federation convention in Jan. 2009. In recognition that retailers may not be in a position to invest in new hardware with the latest POS-focused OS or new systems using Windows server software until the economy improves, Microsoft also announced a demonstration center designed to show customers how Windows and Windows Server products can work together to help retailers create custom in-store and Web-based retail solutions.

Windows Embedded POSReady 2009

Windows Embedded POSReady (originally Windows Embedded for Point of Service) is an edition of Windows Embedded Standard specifically designed for the retail and hospitality industries. It enables retail device manufacturers to create custom OS builds that include support for POS peripherals (such as card readers for reading credit and membership cards) while excluding Windows components not relevant to retail. This reduces OS memory requirements and can reduce security and reliability problems. IHL Consulting Group estimates that Windows Embedded accounted for 36% of North American retail and hospitality POS shipments in 2007.