Microsoft Ships Windows Embedded Compact 2013

Microsoft says Windows Embedded Compact 2013 is ideal for powering some of the smallest industry devices, such as programmable logic controllers and human-machine interface panels used to monitor processes in manufacturing, RFID scanners in retail environments, and portable ultrasound machines and diagnostic lab equipment in health care settings. When these devices are connected via the cloud to back-end systems, the resulting intelligent system generates data that can be harnessed and analysed to provide actionable insight for the enterprise. That data is considered the new currency of business.

“It’s now essential for businesses to tap into the vast potential of data if they want to compete,” said Kevin Dallas, general manager for Windows Embedded at Microsoft, in a statement. “With Windows Embedded powering industry devices, that data is made readily available to drive real, actionable operational intelligence for industries. Windows Embedded Compact 2013 is a really powerful, flexible platform for extending that capability to some of the smallest industry devices.”

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Murphy said Microsoft has been in the embedded space for 15 years with its OS.

“In that time, this little OS has evolved from one target category – small handheld devices – to a general-purpose embedded system that powers everything from tiny controls, to retail POS terminals, to the automation of high-end manufacturing,” he said. “Windows Embedded Compact continues to differentiate itself within Microsoft, and within the larger ecosystem, as an operating system targeting small-footprint devices that need real-time performance and silicon flexibility.”

Microsoft said users will see some major improvements to device functionality with Windows Embedded Compact 2013. “Performance was a particular focus in this release,” Bridgeland said. “We have spent countless hours optimising our code to greatly improve system and network performance, making applications feel snappier.”

Other new or improved features include improvements to the core operating system, including memory management and networking capabilities; improved file-system performance; optimised startup, with snapshot boot, which allows devices to boot within seconds to a known state, such as a specific UI with device drivers loaded; built-in support for Wi-Fi, cellular and Bluetooth technologies, and a seamless connection to Windows Azure, for a connected intelligent system; and the support from thousands of developers and partners, who have built add-on solutions, including HTML5 browsers.

The availability of Windows Embedded Compact 2013 is a key component of Microsoft’s road map for intelligent systems, a vision first announced in Autumn 2011.

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Originally published on eWeek.