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Microsoft Unveils Updated Version of Windows Embedded for Point of Service

April 19, 2007

Microsoft Unveils Updated Version of Windows Embedded for Point of Service
Windows Embedded for Point of Service doubles its share of the North American retail market

REDMOND, Wash. (rushprnews) April 19, 2007 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the availability of Windows^® Embedded for Point of Service (POS) 1.1 Update. The new version includes support for the latest industry standards, a streamlined ability to install mass storage devices during setup, and expanded language support that now totals 33 languages, including Traditional Chinese, Portuguese, Russian and Thai. Microsoft also announced the availability of the next version of POS for .NET 1.11, with support for new device classes that include biometrics, electronic journal, bill acceptor and image scanner. POS for .NET supports the UnifiedPOS version 1.11 specification, including standard changes for ClearInput, Smart Card and printer base classes.

In addition, the company announced strong growth for Windows Embedded for Point of Service in the retail market. According to a recent report* published by IHL Consulting Group Inc., a retail industry research firm, Windows Embedded for Point of Service doubled its market share in 2006 to 7 percent of the total North American market shipments, representing 160 percent growth over 2005. In a similar report, IHL also found that the number of Windows XP Embedded and Windows Embedded for Point of Service users doubled over the past year, from 13 percent to 27 percent.

Leading retail and hospitality organizations around the world — including AMC Theatres, AURES, Brown Shoe, Charles Vogel, Charlotte Russe, Clicks, De Bijenkorf, Douglas perfumeries, Kaufhof Warenhaus, Harrods, Hollywood Video, Kitamura, Livraria Saraiva, Mandarin Oriental, Mitsubishi, NorgesGruppen, ShopRite, Virgin Megastores and Wickes — have selected Windows Embedded for Point of Service because it helps speed time to market and lowers development costs through its standard platform for POS devices. Now, original equipment manufacturers can avoid spending time developing a new operating system platform for each point-of-service device; retail independent software vendors can have a standard platform to which they can port their POS applications; and retailers are able to more easily identify standard solutions that require little-to-no-development, helping to lower device life-cycle costs and reduce time spent connecting devices.

“After comparing the overall cost of ownership of Linux and XPe, we selected Windows Embedded Point of Service as the operating system of choice for its ease of maintenance and optimization for retail scenarios,” said Dave Charboneau, vice president of information technology for AMC Entertainment Inc. “Microsoft offers the best tools and technologies to help AMC focus on our No. 1 priority — providing our guests with the best possible out-of-home entertainment experience.”

With more than 70 partners working on new solutions compatible with Windows Embedded for Point of Service and POS for .NET, Microsoft gives customers a wide variety of options, including those from partners such as 360Commerce, AuthenTec Inc., Cherry Corp., Citizen, Dell Inc., DigiPoS Systems, Epson, Flytech Technology Co. Ltd., Fujitsu, Hand Held Products Inc., HP, IBM Corp., NCR Corp., NECi, Posiflex Technologies Inc., Protech Systems, Retalix Ltd., SecureWave, Sharp, Sorimachi-Giken, Sygate Technologies, Symantec Corp., Symbol Technologies Inc., Toshiba TEC Corp., Ultimate Technology Corp. and Wincor-Nixdorf.

“We’ve seen a tremendous difference in customer enthusiasm and responsiveness by joining Microsoft in delivering the Windows Embedded for Point of Service platform to our customers,” said Hiroshi Wada, vice president, Technology Executive Retail Information System Company at Toshiba TEC. “Its operational efficiency and significant cost-effectiveness make it the clear choice for retailers everywhere.”

“Today’s news reaffirms Microsoft’s commitment to addressing retailers’ needs, making the Windows Embedded for Point of Service platform the ideal solution for both retail customers and partners,” said Ilya Bukshteyn, director of marketing for Windows Embedded at Microsoft. “We continue to win customers because we help them achieve their goals. That has not only resulted in market share gain for Windows Embedded for Point of Service, but has increased the overall Windows Embedded for Point of Service and partner ecosystem.”

Additional information on Microsoft’s Windows Embedded for Point of Service platform can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/embedded/wepos, or at the WEPOS blog site at http://blogs.msdn.com/pointofservice.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

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