Microsoft, IBM Team Up on Embedded for POS

Microsoft and IBM are teaming up in the point-of-sale arena with Microsoft’s Windows Embedded for Point of Service (WEPOS) operating system pre-loaded on IBM point-of-sale, self-checkout and self-service kiosks. Windows Embedded for Point of Service is a point-of-service operating system platform based on Windows but optimized for the retail industry.

Windows Embedded for Point of Service is offered pre-installed on IBM AnyPlace Kiosk, Self-Checkout and SurePOS 700, 500, and 300 point-of-sale systems, IBM's open system hardware platforms for retail and hospitality industries. The Windows Embedded for Point of Sale operating system supports standard retail applications and device peripherals, and the solution includes an upgrade path to Windows XP for Embedded Systems or Vista for Embedded Systems. The pre-loaded IBM systems will have increased language support for 33 dialects, and support a number of industry standards such as Biometrics, Electronic Journal, Bill Acceptor, SmartCard and ClearInput.

The retail-oriented offering will be pre-configured to support and connect to a range of retail applications and devices. Its standards-based framework and built-in networking capabilities enable fast development and delivery of new POS solutions.

Microsoft also announced strong growth of Windows Embedded in the retail market. According to a recent report published by IHL Group, the total number of Windows Embedded Point of Service users in North American grew by 250 percent in 2007. In a second study with RIS News, IHL also found that 63 percent of retailers were seriously considering a Windows Embedded operating system for their next POS purchase.