Microsoft launches Windows XP based platform for retailers

Click here to learn
about this Sponsor:

Keywords: Match:

Jan. 12, 2004

[Updated 11:45 am PDT] -- Microsoft announced a technology and solutions framework for the next generation of retail point-of-sale (POS) and operations systems. The company says the "Smarter Retailing Initiative" (SRI) is based on Windows XP Embedded along with open industry standards such as Web services and XML, and retail-specific standards such as IX Retail, OPOS, RFID and UCCNet. Microsoft claims SRI will "fundamentally change the retailer's rules of engagement with customers and the customer's in-store experience."

Microsoft describes SRI as being comprised of the following three key areas of focus:

Smarter Shopping -- enables retailers to leverage their IT investments to create a seamless and personalized retail experience to satisfy consumers who demand service, convenience and information. Some focus areas include leveraging the digital devices that employees and customers already know, such as cellular phones and personal digital assistants, to differentiate product and service information.
Smarter Selling -- helps retailers maximize sales and customer satisfaction through labor deployment and by empowering employees with production location and inventory information as well as customer relationship management skills. The sales associate and customer interaction is improved through a more efficient and informed process, enabling employees to confidently address each customer's question or need and even anticipate the customer's needs before they are expressed.
Smarter Operations -- offers increased efficiency by providing real- time visibility into the metrics that drive profitability. This includes tools to easily manage the adoption of transforming technologies such as wireless devices and radio frequency identification (RFID). Focus areas include store management and flexible infrastructure.

The SRI technology platform includes the Microsoft Windows XP Embedded operating system, Microsoft SQL Server, for native retail analytics and reports; and BizTalk Server for superior integration.

Microsoft says SRI was created through in-depth industry and consumer research with many of Microsoft's key partners and numerous customers worldwide. The initiative was formed in part to help retailers respond to consumer demands for convenience and information on their own terms and across multiple channels, business demands for streamlined operations, and store demands for associate efficiency and customer service capabilities. The company says it is considering ways in which small and midsize retailers can leverage the initiative's findings.

Companies said to be supporting Microsoft's Smarter Retailing Initiative include: Accenture; BlueCube Software; Cap Gemini Ernst & Young; CRS Retail Systems; Dell; Fujitsu Transaction Solutions; HP; Infosys Technologies; Intel; JDA Software Group; Manhattan Associates; NCR; NSB Group; ProClarity; Retalix; Sysrepublic; Trax Retail Solutions; and Wipro.

In a related announcement, Microsoft disclosed that Windows XP Embedded powers some 300,000 POS terminals and kiosks worldwide. Specifically, the technology is in use at more than 5,000 RadioShack stores and that by year end, RadioShack will have deployed a total of 21,000 systems to cash lanes and PC systems.

Additionally, Microsoft says Circuit City and Meijer have deployed POS systems running Windows XP Embedded across their retail chains. Other enterprise retailers which have already adopted Microsoft-based solutions include 7-Eleven, Costco, Meijer, and Rite Aid.

Related stories:

(Click here for further information)

7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.

4 Legal Reasons to Control Internet Access
The Internet is obviously a valuable resource for many organizations. However, many are exposed to legal liability concerns because they fail to control Internet access. Learn if you're safe in this white paper.

Rapidly Resolve J2EE Application Problems
Whether you are in the process of building J2EE applications or have J2EE applications already running in production, you must ensure that they deliver the expected ROI. Learn how in this white paper.

Load Testing 2.0 for Web 2.0
There are many unknowns in stress testing Web 2.0 applications. Find out how to test the performance of Web 2.0 in this white paper.

Build Better Games Online
For the game infrastructure providers, life is complex. Making money from games has become more complicated. Why? Find out in this white paper.

Building a Virtual Infrastructure from Servers to Storage
This white paper discusses the virtual storage solutions that reduce cost, increase storage utilization, and address the challenges of backing up and restoring Server environments.

Gaining Faster Wireless Connections with WiMAX
Welcome to what is quickly becoming the hyperconnected world where anything that would benefit from being connected to the network will be connected. Learn more in this white paper.

Is Your Desktop a Security Threat?
The new wave of sophisticated crimeware not only targets specific companies, but also targets desktops and laptops as backdoor entryways into those business’ operations and resources. Learn how to stay safe in this white paper.

Increasing SAN Reliability by 100 Percent
Storage area networks (SAN) are a strong part of storage plans. Learn how to increase your reliability and uptime by 100 percent in this case study.

Got a HOT tip? please tell us!

Click here for a profile of each sponsor:

PLATINUM SPONSORS
<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/entzd.windowsfordevices/desktop;kw=msembedded;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?"" style="border-width:0px;height:150px;width:30px;"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/entzd.windowsfordevices/desktop;kw=msembedded;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?" style="border:0; height: 150; width:30;" /></a>		<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/entzd.windowsfordevices/desktop;kw=trolltech;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?"" style="border-width:0px;height:150px;width:30px;"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/entzd.windowsfordevices/desktop;kw=trolltech;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?" style="border:0; height: 150; width:30;" /></a>

(Become a sponsor)

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

HOT TOPICS • 2006 Windows Embedded retrospective
• Windows CE 6 Arrives
• Shared source contest winners
• Ultra Mobile PCs
• Spotlight on SPOT
• Embedding Windows is 4X cheaper than Linux
• CE "core" reduced to $3

...in our 2007
Windows Embedded Market Survey

Check out the latest Windows-powered...

mobile phones!

other cool
gadgets

REFERENCE GUIDES
• Windows Device Showcase
• Intro to Windows Embedded
• Intro to Shared Source
• Real-time Windows Embedded
• Windows Embedded books

BREAKING NEWS

• Rack-mount automation computer runs Windows from flash
• Smallest GPS-equipped phone ever?
• Color e-paper rolls up for storage
• Windows XP leaps onto OLPC laptop
• "1-Watt" x86 processor powers pico-ITX board
• Webcast covers Windows Mobile development
• "Software-only" GPS supports WIndows
• Atom-based ECX board runs Windows
• $7 SoC runs Windows CE
• April XPe chat transcript available
• Little thin client runs Windows CE or XP Embedded
• Microsoft releases VS 2008, NET Framework 3.5 betas
• E-reader boasts 6-inch EPD display, Windows CE
• Thin clients bulk up on software
• Microsoft warns of Windows CE 5.0 security hole

Join our Windows Embedded discussion forums:
• Windows XP Embedded
• Windows CE
• Windows Mobile

Windows Embedded developer newsgroups
• Windows CE
• XP Embedded
• PocketPC
• Smartphone

Microsoft's Windows Embedded resources
• Embedded dev center
• Mobile dev center
• Windows CE tutorials
• XP Embedded tutorials
• Windows Embedded seminars
• Windows Embedded application categories
• 3rd-party partners

Also visit our sister sites:

Sign up for WindowsForDevices.com's...

news feed

Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Windows is a trademark or registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries and is used by WindowsForDevices under license from owner. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. WindowsForDevices is an independent publication not affiliated with Microsoft Corporation.