platform.

Windows Embedded for Point of Service (POS) was first announced last October, and was demonstrated at the National Retail Federation conference earlier this month. The platform touts plug-and-play perpheral functionality, that for the first time enables retail-style peripherals to be easily installed and managed. Bsquare points out that in addition to helping reduce the time required to initially install and configure devices, the plug-and-play capabilities of Windows Embedded for POS also lower long-term device lifecycle support costs, since replacement of next-generation peripherals are easily supported.

Microsoft is said to be working closely with 40 companies worldwide in its early joint development program for Windows Embedded for POS. Bsquare says that it is the first system integrator to join the program, and that it will launch its support for "WePOS" in the Spring of 2005. Bsquare is a Gold-level member of Microsoft's Windows Embedded Partner program.

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