NETWORKING—SECURITY—UPS—STORAGE
Opinion
Bringing stability
The benefits that a standardised
computing platform brings are
to standard
enormous, so what do you do
when your supplier changes it?
– asks Alan Rowe, Windows
platforms
Embedded Group, MPC Data.
here has been a great of Windows XP through the retail make the transition to an Standard. So, the solution is
T
deal of change within or system builder channels, the alternative platform as simple as simple, right? Replace Windows
Microsoft recently, problem many OEMs now face is possible. As a standard platform, XP with Windows Embedded
beyond the introduction how to replace it. This presents a applications running on Windows Standard, which incidentally also
of Windows 7. Most difficult choice; remain with Windows XP can be readily ported to a carries a lower licensing fee than
consumers may associate the or choose a different platform. compatible platform in the Windows XP. In fact, for any new
software giant with desktop The ease and convenience of a Windows family. However, the project, Windows Embedded
computing, but OEMs within the Windows platform running on an licensing costs associated with Standard would be the obvious
retail sector will probably be aware embedded PC should not be new Windows products aimed at choice but for OEMs unfamiliar
that Microsoft also offers an underestimated and for this reason desktop PCs may prove difficult to with Microsoft’s embedded
expanding range of embedded the choice may be obvious. But support with the margins available products the process of moving
software products targeting if the choice is to remain a from a mature product targeting a product from Windows XP to
specific sectors. Within the Windows Microsoft customer, the question the retail market. Windows Embedded Standard
Embedded family there are now now becomes, which platform isn’t quite straightforward.
platforms for navigational devices do I move to? The correct solution here is to Fundamentally, every build of
and Point of Sale solutions, while choose one of the embedded Windows Embedded Standard
Windows Embedded CE is still Windows products and in the past is potentially unique; unlike the
applicable for many general Inherent risk this would have been Windows XP desktop variant, Windows
purpose applications that aren’t The decision to continue manu - Embedded. Fortunately, while Embedded Standard is componen-
based on an x86 architecture. facturing an existing product on a Microsoft has chosen to remove tised. This means the platform
However, despite the growing different platform has inherent risk, Windows XP from the market it must be created from over 12,000
availability of sector-specific but when the choice has essentially has acknowledged the importance individual software components,
platforms, there is still no been made for you the key is to of Windows XP Embedded in the some of which are necessary and
‘standard’ platform for kiosks, minimise your exposure to that marketplace and has committed some of which are optional,
digital signage or other forms of risk. The principal aim must be to to its continued support for the depending on the application.
information booths; a rapidly keep the production lines rolling foreseeable future, with a name
growing sector within the industry and to that end it is essential to change to Windows Embedded
thanks to their revenue generating Unfamiliar territory
capabilities, and one that is being Selecting the right components
fuelled by developments in low for your application is crucial
cost display technologies. to its stability and that includes
knowing which components to
As a result, many OEMs leave out of the build. By staying
addressing these end applications within the Windows Embedded
may, in the past, have chosen a family, OEMs are effectively
less specific and all together more minimising their risk but it cannot
familiar platform; an embedded be removed entirely, porting an
PC running Windows XP. The existing application to a different
reasons are sound; it provides a platform can involve an
readily available and familiar unwelcome trip in to unfamiliar
development environment, and territory. Through MPC Data’s
represents a relatively cost effective
Alan Rowe: “Selecting the right components for your
XPert porting service, that process
application is crucial to its stability and that includes
platform for volume manufacturing. is streamlined, making sure your
knowing which components to leave out of the build.”
But with the discontinued availability production line continues rolling. circlesolid
46 IT RESELLER – NOVEMBER 2009
www.itrportal.com
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