Lorraine Bardeen, EMEA Group marketing manager, Windows Embedded

Q: What will Windows Embedded Standard 7 bring to the Windows Embedded portfolio of products? LB: Windows Embedded Standard 7 delivers the power, familiarity and reliability of the Windows 7 operating system in a highly customisable and componentised form. This gives OEMs the ability to leverage Microsoft's latest technologies to create differentiated experiences on their devices by delivering immersive user experiences and enhanced connectivity with Windows-based PCs, servers and online services. Q: How will Windows Embedded Standard 7 enable embedded developers to customise and differentiate their embedded devices? What are some of the features of Windows Embedded Standard 7 that will engage end users of the devices? LB: Windows Embedded Standard 7 delivers the latest Windows 7 technologies to OEMs, giving them the ability to build devices that extend the power of Windows through reduced time to market, device differentiation and streamlined connectivity to the world of Windows. In terms of customisation and device differentiation, the platform enables OEMs to drive rich, immersive user experiences through support for 64bit CPUs, Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) and Windows Touch for multigesture touch interfaces and context-aware applications. The latest Microsoft technology innovations are also included in Windows Embedded Standard 7, such as Windows Media Player 12, Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) 7.0 and Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5. Q: And what about in the enterprise? Will Windows Embedded Standard 7 change how embedded developers build devices for industry segments like manufacturing, medical, thin client deployments and automation? LB: Windows Embedded Standard 7 is "enterprise-equipped" by providing organisations with the ability to seamlessly extend existing investments in technology management and infrastructure to specialised devices – this includes using Active Directory group polices and Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager, as well as increased interoperability for client server scenarios with Microsoft Terminal Services and Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI). For example, printers, ruggedised handheld devices, thin clients, industrial controllers, MRI machines, point of service (POS) terminals and countless others provide opportunities for enterprises to create efficiencies by leveraging devices built on the Windows Embedded portfolio of platforms and technologies. Developers are able to focus on devices that are easier to use and possess inherent connectivity to existing enterprise infrastructures, helping enterprises ensure streamlined deployment, management and maintenance – which clearly impacting efficiency the organisation's bottom line. There's even the ability to develop 'green' solutions with smart power management APIs. Q: How quickly can OEMs get to market with Windows Embedded Standard 7 devices? LB: I'm pleased to say that there are many OEMs in Europe who have nearly completed design of their Windows Embedded Standard 7 devices and will be ready to ship soon after the product's full availability. We will be highlighting some of these devices at our upcoming Windows Embedded Standard 7 launch events, including the HUB UK at Microsoft's Thames Valley Park campus on 6 May 2010. For those OEMs considering developing a device using Windows Embedded Standard 7, we offer an active community of industry leading partners and online resources available to support OEMs at each step of their development cycle. Windows Embedded partners include: distributors, system integrators, independent hardware and software vendors, ODMs, independent design houses, silicon vendors, tools vendors, and professional training organisations.