| Microsoft launches new OS for retailers |
Jan. 12, 2009
 [Updated, 11:15] -- Microsoft has unveiled Windows Embedded POSReady 2009, a new operating system for retailers that emphasizes "connected experiences." Hailing strong growth for embedded Windows in the retail market, the company also unveiled a 20,000-foot, invitation-only "Retail Experience Center" store located on its Redmond Campus.
 The company's new operating system and software stack for retailers was first announced by Ilya Bukshteyn (right), Microsoft's director of Windows Embedded marketing, at the Embedded Systems Conference (ESC) in April. However, only limited technical details of Windows Embedded POSReady 2009 had emerged at that time.
According to Microsoft, POSReady 2009 is intended to supplant Windows Embedded for Point of Service (WEPOS). Compared to the older POS stack, it offers technologies such as Microsoft Silverlight, the .NET Framework 3.5 with Windows Presentation Foundation, Internet Explorer 7, Windows Media Player 11, Microsoft SQL Server Express, and viewers for Microsoft Office documents.
Microsoft says POSReady 2009 will additionally include the POS for .NET common control library, allowing for "seamless plug and play with retail peripherals." The product will also include "embedded-specific features" taken from the Windows Embedded Standard (WES) operating system.
Company officials concede that the challenging economic environment makes this a tricky time to be launching a new product aimed at retailers. But, claims Microsoft, POSReady 2009 will allow retailers to create the "connected experiences" customers crave, while also cutting costs and gaining efficiencies.
Brendan O'Meara, Microsoft's worldwide retail industry managing director, says, "There's no doubt that retailers are at a crossroads. [But] achieving connected experiences and saving money aren't mutually exclusive. Retailers can gain efficiencies and improve the customer experience by connecting their channels through industry standards and service orientation."
In addition to launching its new operating system, Microsoft at the show also highlighted a "multi-channel retail alliance" with Accenture and Avanade, a global IT consultancy created by Microsoft and Accenture. The alliance will "help retailers tackle the challenge of providing consumers with a shopping experience that connects with them through social networking and online communities, and on an ever-widening number of platforms, including in-store, the Web and mobile computing," according to the company.
 
Microsoft's Retail Experience Center
(Click to enlarge)
And, Microsoft launched the "Retail Experience Center," a 20,000-square-foot facility at its headquarters in Redmond that includes a "fully functioning interactive store environment, from point of service to receiving dock." Open via invitation only to Microsoft customers, partners, and members of the press, the facility (above, left) showcases Microsoft's retail-related technologies, including POSReady 2009, the futuristic Microsoft Surface computer (above, right), and the Microsoft Tag color color barcodes unveiled last week at CES.
Finally, the company announced strong growth momentum for Windows Embedded in the retail market. It cited a recent report published by IHL Consulting Group Inc., which says that Windows Embedded operating systems accounted for 36 percent of retail and hospitality POS shipments in North America in 2007.
Greg Buzek, president of IHL, said, "By allowing plug-and-play connectivity with peripherals, embedded operating systems such as Windows Embedded POSReady 2009 provide the flexibility in system components and software that retailers need, allowing them to lower the cost of ownership and increase efficiencies at the front end."
Device support
While we haven't yet seen any formal announcements of devices that will run Windows Embedded POSReady 2009, the operating system is described by Microsoft as being based on Windows Embedded Standard (WES). As such, it will be compatible with a vast array of devices that have previously run the Windows XP Embedded-based WEPOS (Windows Embedded for Point of Service).
Vendors such as HP, IBM, and NCR are reportedly showing off systems running POSReady 2009 at the NRF Show (see background, below). Meanwhile, a demonstration system has also been created by Clarity Consulting, which offers its "Innovation Lane" at Microsoft's NRF booth.
According to Clarity, the Innovation Lane includes the following elements:- A redesigned, ergonomically efficient checkout lane
- POSReady 2009 checkout computers and tablet PCs for sales associates
- NFC (near field communication) payment
- Transmission of data to and from "loyalty cards" on customers' phones
- Security features such as biometric logon
- Real-time messaging, voice, e-mail and presence capabilities
Microsoft says one early adopter of POSReady 2009 will be Douglas Cosmetics, described as Europe's largest fragrance and cosmetics retailer. Douglas will reportedly convert POS systems in more than 1,900 stores to touchscreen devices built for it by Wincor Nixdorf.
Jeroen Timmer, director of IT at Douglas, said, "As we look to move toward diskless hardware platforms, we saw a long-term opportunity with POSReady 2009, which supports flash and other data storage technologies. With fewer moving hardware parts, we expect higher levels of reliability and longer system life cycles, which will save us money over time."
Background
As a venue for Windows Embedded POSReady 2009's release, Microsoft chose the 98th annual National Retail Federation (NRF) Show in New York, which runs through Jan. 14. The venerable show primarily targets retailers, not software developers.
Now in its 98th year, the NRF Expo is described by its organizers as "the world's leading retail event, bringing 18,500 retail executives and vendors from more than 50 countries together." Of more than 600 exhibitors, the majority are outside the IT industry, but heavy-hitters such as Cisco, Fujistu, Honeywell, IBM, NCR, Wincor Nixdorf, and many others are all represented, in addition to Microsoft.
According to Microsoft, Ilya Bukshteyn will introduce attendees to POSReady 2009 at a 1:45 PM EST session today called "Competing at the point of service: A recipe for success." Attendees will receive 4GB USB sticks preloaded with an evaluation copy of the new POSReady operating system, the company adds.
Of more than 100 educational sessions planned for the Expo, Microsoft is participating in two, in addition to the POSReady 2009 session already mentioned. A session called "Building bridges, replacing silos" on Jan. 13 will be devoted to Microsoft Dynamics CRM (customer relationship management) software, and another session later the same day will discuss the company's Virtual Earth platform.
Other tech-oriented sessions will be presented by companies including Cisco, IBM, Motorola, Oracle, and SAS.
Further information
The NRF Expo opened at the Javits Convention Center in New York yesterday, and continues through Jan. 14. According to Microsoft, POSReady 2009 is being shown at booth 637, which also houses the "Innovation Lane" mentioned above.
To search a list of educational sessions planned for the NRF Expo, go here. For an overall NRF exhibitor list, see the show website, here. For general information about the event, see here. For a live blog provided by the show organizers, go here.
Microsoft's web page devoted to its NRF participation and POSReady 2009 launch can be found here. For further information about the Microsoft Retail Experience Center, see the company's website, here.
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