Over the past few days Microsoft has been rolling out several iterations of its next generation of platforms and that streak continues today with the announcement of Windows Embedded Standard 8. If you are not familiar with Windows Embedded Standard 8, it is a business tool that helps corporations capture data with intelligent systems within specialized industries.
The basic idea is to allow non-IT based devices to connect and communicate with a corporation’s infrastructure. Microsoft describes Windows Embedded Standard 8 as “a componentized version of Windows 8 that includes features designed to meet the needs of specialized devices within intelligent systems”.
Listed below is a list of some of the key components that the new system will utilize to make the product as flexible as possible but will also maintain adequate controls that are important in sensitive environments.
| Advanced device lockdown through flexible keyboard filters and a new unified write filter that combines previous write filters into a single, streamlined solution for better management and enhanced uptime. |
| Support for customized experiences and branding from boot to shut down, so apps can take advantage of Windows with a customized look and feel from the first press of the power button. |
| Componentization of the OS to scale the system up or down depending on the device, including a set of modules that have been preconfigured and tested to enable device-specific scenarios. |
| IT pro management tools, including the Universal Configuration Tool (UCT) that provides for local and remote management, integrated into the security infrastructure. |
| OS development tools, including the new Module Designer that allows developers to easily integrate third-party software into the OS, including the ability to copy files, execute commands, install drivers and modify the registry. |
Additionally, because this is Windows 8, developers will not only be able to scale apps across their devices, but will also have the ability to create custom interfaces to maintain the company’s branding.
If all of this sounds good to you, the CTP is now available for download here.