| IBM to bundle WEPOS with point-of-sale systems |
Feb. 26, 2008
 IBM and Microsoft announced that Windows Embedded Point of Service (WEPOS) will now come pre-loaded on a variety of point-of sale, self-checkout, and self-service devices. The agreement includes IBM's AnyPlace Kiosk and SurePOS 300, 500, and 700, originally introduced last fall, according to the companies.
AnyPlace Kiosk |
The AnyPlace Kiosk (seen at right) is an all-in-one computer with an infrared touchscreen display. It comes in a 15-inch version with 1024 x 768 resolution, or 17- and 19-inch versions with 1280 x 1024 resolution. Processing power is via AMD's 1.8GHz Sempron 3500+ processor or its 1.GHz Turion 64 X2 TL-56 dual-core processor.
The AnyPlace Kiosk includes a presence sensor that can activate the unit when a customer comes near it. It offers an ExpressCard expansion slot, 80GB or 160GB hard drives, and an optional 4GB solid-state drive (SSD). Also available is the AnyPlace POS hub, a box that includes five powered USB ports, a cash draw port, and a lengthy USB cable that connects it to the AnyPlace Kiosk itself.
SurePOS 300 |
The SurePOS 300 (seen at left) more resembles a standard PC. It is available in a 11.8 x 8.5 x 3.6 inch box that does not have room for an internal CD-ROM drive, or a 12.8 x 10 x 4.4 inch one that does. Both cases have a half-size PCI expansion slot, and internal drives of undisclosed capacity. Processor choices include a 1.2GHz Via C3 with 512MB of RAM, or a 2GHz Intel Celeron processor with up to 2GB of RAM.
Intended to accept an array of optional cash drawers, printers, and secondary customer-facing displays, the SurePOS 300 has six RS232 ports, two powered and four non-powered. It also offers five USB ports, one of which supplies 24VDC power, and two supplying 24VDC.
SurePOS 500 |
The SurePOS 500 (seen at right) returns to an all-in-one form factor, with 12-inch, 15-inch, or 17-inch IR touchscreen displays. The 12-inch versions are available with three different CPUs: Via's 1.2GHz C3, Intel's 2.0GHz Celeron (with 400MHz frontside bus), or a 2.5GHz Intel Celeron D (with 533MHz frontside bus). The 15- and 17-inch versions come only with the faster two CPUs.
All configurations include one 24VDC powered USB port, a powered RS232 port, and three standard RS232 ports. They also include dual 24VDC cash drawer ports and 40GB or 80GB hard drive. The top 17-inch model offers a PC Card slot.
SurePOS 700 |
Finally, the SurePOS 700 (seen at left), touted as the "industry's premier point of sale solution," is an integrated system that can house dual displays -- one for the operator, one to provide feedback for customers -- plus a keyboard and printer. It comes with CPU options that include a 2GHz Via C7-D, a 2GHz Intel Celeron 440, and a Intel Core 2 Duo E4300.
With up to 2GB of RAM, the SurePOS 700 comes with primary 80GB or 160GB hard drives, plus optional second drives that can provide disk mirroring. The device also has an integral UPS, plus two expansion slots (one PCI, one PCI Express).
Microsoft's Windows Embedded for Point of Service, first introduced in 2005, is a "retail-optimized" flavor of Windows XP Embedded. It aims to simplify development and deployment of POS systems, and to reduce maintenance and upgrade costs, according to Microsoft.
IBM's AnyPlace Kiosk and SurePOS devices are all available now. Pricing was not disclosed by IBM.
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