Microsoft releases Windows Embedded 8 Industry Pro, Pro Retail, and Enterprise editions

Last month, Microsoft revealed Windows Embedded 8 Industry during the Retail Tech Japan trade show. Windows Embedded 8 Industry is set to be the sequel to Windows Embedded POS Ready 7 and is a retail platform solution based on Windows 8.

In an official blog post, Microsoft has announced the availability of Windows Embedded 8 Industry and its three SKUs: Windows Embedded 8 Industry Pro, Windows Embedded 8 Industry Pro for Retail, and Windows Embedded 8 Industry Enterprise.

“Windows Embedded 8 Industry provides a fixed-image OS that is especially suited to power industry devices, control panels, kiosks, and yes, POS terminals. It provides a single image with lockdown features and embedded enhancements that will make the next generation of industry devices smarter, better connected, more secure, and more user friendly,” Microsoft stated in an official blog post.

With Windows Embedded 8 Industry, Microsoft touts app compatibility across devices as well as an easy means of deployment and an operating system that is easy to manage. Here is a breakdown of its features (per edition):

• Windows Embedded 8 Industry Pro. This is the ideal SKU to build ATMs and devices for the healthcare and manufacturing industries, creating a new class of industry-specific device with a sleek, powerful, modern OS.
• Windows Embedded 8 Industry Pro (Retail). This SKU provides specialized embedded functionality to get the most out of retail devices like POS terminals, kiosks, scanners and more.
• Windows Embedded 8 Industry Enterprise. Available through Volume Licensing in July, the Enterprise SKU provides embedded-specific features designed to integrate seamlessly with Windows 8 Enterprise.

Microsoft believes that its Windows 8 platform has opened up a wide range of possibilities. The software giant also believes that Windows Embedded 8 Industry is the “right product at the right time” to power the next generation of intelligent systems. Hit the download link below to grab the 180 day evaluation.