Magazines Archives - 2009 April

Microsoft unveils Windows Embedded POSReady 2009
Story 10 - Retail Technology

MICROSOFT CORPORATION LTD has released a new operating system for point-of-service (POS) terminals and devices that aims to reduce costs for retailers, enhance the customer experience and improve sales.

Microsoft officials said Windows Embedded POSReady 2009 is its response to demand from retailers for more cost-efficient POS devices.

Introduced in Asia last month at RetailTech Japan 2009, POSReady, which is currently based on Windows XP, replaces the previous generation operating system Windows Embedded for POS. The new platform for POS applications was released in line with Microsoft’s plans to strengthen its involvement in the retail sector, which company officials say is among its fastestgrowing businesses.

“What we’re seeing is retailers making targeted investments in three areas: Lowering cost; generating higher sales; and building customer loyalty. POSReady is really targeted in those areas,” Ilya Bukshteyn, senior director of marketing for Windows Embedded at Microsoft, told Retail Asia at the trade show.

Equipped with POS for .NET, POSReady provides plug-and-play support for peripherals such as scanners, giving retailers the flexibility of using less expensive ones.

“The system is also light enough to boot and run from a universal serial bus (USB) device, allowing for easier servicing. These, Bukshteyn noted, would “significantly drive down the maintenance cost”, which accounts for 15% of the cost of POS devices over a three-year period.

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