News

Microsoft Rolls Out Windows Embedded Services

Microsoft on Monday announced a new services capability that's part of its Windows Embedded Server product line. In addition, the company plans to roll out additional support for developers working on embedded systems.

For original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and partners, Windows Embedded Server now has a Software plus Services capability that currently works with Microsoft's management products, enabling device diagnostics and maintenance support.

For instance, Microsoft's partners can use the Microsoft System Center Operations Manager solution to monitor Windows-embedded devices. In addition, they can use Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager for remote maintenance of those devices.

The Software plus Services capability in Windows Embedded Server offers options for Microsoft's partners, and possible revenue streams.

"For a lot of OEMs, the trend is they may want to build system network solutions," said John Doyle, Microsoft's group product manager with the Windows embedded business. "Embedded servers can also be used to store data, which can be used to predict failure times or improve business efficiencies," he added.

For instance, OEM partners can monitor robots using Windows Embedded CE in factories. The monitoring and data collection can be used to help prevent those devices from going down, Doyle explained.

Also on Monday, Microsoft announced two upcoming perks for developers of Windows Embedded products: a new Visual Studio subscription option, along with a new update service.

The subscription option, called "MSDN Embedded for Visual Studio Professional 2008," will be offered in July. It's designed to help developers select the right tools for the job, providing access to Microsoft operating systems and technical support specialized for device-development tasks.

The new Visual Studio subscription option represents Microsoft's shift from delivering a "static toolkit" to device software developers, Doyle explained. Certain Visual Studio subscribers will get the new services automatically.

"If you subscribe and you already have an MSDN subscription above the premium level, then the tools will automatically come available to you in the July timeframe," Doyle said.

The second perk for developers is expected to appear in the first half of 2010, when Microsoft plans to roll out a Windows Embedded Developer Update Service. The updates will provide partner technology support, device drivers and board support packages.

"With Windows Embedded Developer Update, we will have a client that will reside on the developer machine," Doyle said. "So within the developer experience using Visual Studio, that [client] will connect up to a cloud, a new Microsoft service, where we will present a catalog of information, which includes partners' or Microsoft's updates, new components or advanced components, and also Microsoft- or partner-certified content."

Developers face making a lot of decisions about technologies when programming for embedded devices, Doyle explained, which is why Microsoft is rolling out these two services.

Microsoft offers a number of embedded operating system products, which are described here.

About the Author

Kurt Mackie is senior news producer for 1105 Media's Converge360 group.

Featured

  • Microsoft Offers Support Extensions for Exchange 2016 and 2019

    Microsoft has introduced a paid Extended Security Update (ESU) program for on-premises Exchange Server 2016 and 2019, offering a crucial safety cushion as both versions near their Oct. 14, 2025 end-of-support date.

  • An image of planes flying around a globe

    2025 Microsoft Conference Calendar: For Partners, IT Pros and Developers

    Here's your guide to all the IT training sessions, partner meet-ups and annual Microsoft conferences you won't want to miss.

  • Notebook

    Microsoft Centers AI, Security and Partner Dogfooding at MCAPS

    Microsoft's second annual MCAPS for Partners event took place Tuesday, delivering a volley of updates and directives for its partners for fiscal 2026.

  • Microsoft Layoffs: AI Is the Obvious Elephant in the Room

    As Microsoft doubles down on an $80 billion bet on AI this fiscal year, its workforce reductions are drawing scrutiny over whether AI's ascent is quietly reshaping its human capital strategy, even as official messaging avoids drawing a direct line.