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.