At the Embedded Systems Conference (ESC) Silicon Valley 2009, Microsoft will announce the Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition with Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Embedded subscription and Windows Embedded Developer Update service. The company also will announce expanded software-plus-services offerings for the Windows Embedded platform.
At the Embedded Systems Conference (ESC) Silicon Valley 2009,
Microsoft will announce the Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Professional
Edition with Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Embedded subscription
and Windows Embedded Developer Update service. The company also will
announce expanded software-plus-services offerings for the Windows
Embedded platform.
The new offerings expand the Windows Embedded software-plus-services
platform with developer services that provide a cost-effective way to
license Microsoft platforms and tools, receive technical support, and
obtain early access to the latest Microsoft updates available, said
Kevin Dallas, general manager of the Windows Embedded business unit at
Microsoft, in an interview with eWEEK. MSDN Embedded and Windows
Embedded Developer Update provide the global MSDN community with
consolidated subscription access to Microsoft's extensive portfolio of
embedded platforms and technologies that aid in building
next-generation devices with advanced applications and rich user
experiences, Dallas said.
"The first step in executing on the comprehensive Windows Embedded
services vision is continuing our investment in developers, helping
them to create smart, connected, service-oriented devices," Dallas
said. "The main objective of the Windows Embedded developer services
initiative is to strengthen our commitment to ensuring that developers
have seamless access to the ever-expanding set of products,
documentation, support technology and third-party updates, which is why
we are increasing our investment in the Windows Embedded MSDN
community."
Dallas added that Microsoft "realized there would be more and more
devices that are smart, connected to the Internet and very much
service-aware, and we knew we needed a better strategy to empower
developers to build applications for these devices. Today, if you want
to build a connected device it's quite challenging. This new offer
gives developers the ability to access our full software portfolio and
participate in the industry's largest developer network."
Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition with MSDN Embedded
builds on traditional MSDN benefits by providing developers of embedded
devices with a single subscription for access to a variety of Microsoft
operating systems, technical support and other resources. The
subscription includes the Visual Studio suite of software development
tools and the following Windows Embedded platforms and technologies:
??Ã Windows Embedded CE, a
32-bit native, componentized, hard real-time operating system designed
for small-footprint devices
??Ã Windows Embedded
Standard, the next generation of Windows XP Embedded for advanced
enterprise devices
??Ã Windows Embedded
NavReady 2009, which provides innovative technologies to help build
devices optimized for portable navigation
??Ã Windows Embedded
POSReady 2009, a flexible operating system designed to seamlessly
connect point-of-service (POS) solutions with peripherals, servers and
services
Meanwhile, MSDN Premium subscribers also will have access to the
resources in MSDN Embedded, enhancing their existing MSDN investments,
Dallas said.
In addition, Windows Embedded Developer Update, available
exclusively to MSDN Embedded and MSDN Premium subscribers, delivers a
connected experience for developers by seamlessly delivering the latest
technology innovations from Microsoft and other third parties directly
into the Windows Embedded development environment. The service
integrates a client on the developer's machine to a cloud service
hosting the content, such as product updates, platform technologies and
other resources from Microsoft, as well as drivers, Board Support
Packages (BSPs) and other technologies from Microsoft's global partner
ecosystem. Customers will receive automatic notifications when new
content is available through the service and also will have access to
new technologies and product enhancements before they are available to
the public.
Visual Studio Professional 2008 with MSDN Embedded is scheduled to
be available in July 2009; the Windows Embedded Developer Update
service is scheduled to launch in the first half of 2010. Developers
can obtain a subscription or find out more information on the Windows
Embedded resources available through MSDN by visiting here.
Dallas said that despite the recession, he sees growth in the area
of devices, including netbooks. We're seeing growth and we're looking
to continue to grow with our partners." He said with its Windows
Embedded strategy Microsoft is focusing on three different audiences:
developers, original equipment manufacturers, and end users.
Meanwhile, Microsoft also announced the expansion of its Windows
embedded software plus services platform through the addition of
Windows Embedded Server to the Microsoft portfolio of embedded
platforms and technologies.
"The evolution of the Windows Embedded software-plus -services
platform with the addition of Windows Embedded Server reflects the
realization of Microsoft's continued commitment to drive innovation and
leadership in the embedded market by fostering the next generation of
smart, connected, service-oriented devices," Dallas said. "The
combination of software plus services from Windows Embedded will
establish new revenue channels for embedded OEMs and partners by
utilizing Windows Embedded Server and the complete Microsoft portfolio
of embedded platforms and technologies in scenarios such as device
maintenance and support."
Indeed, today, OEMs can use Microsoft's System Center Configuration
Manager for remote servicing and maintenance and Microsoft System
Center Configuration Manager for monitoring to deliver preventive
maintenance.
Moreover, these announcements help pave the way for enabling more
end user services, such as enabling more with Windows Live, Live Search
and other Microsoft services on OEM devices, Dallas said, but noted
that Microsoft did not have any announcements in those specific areas.
However, "we're taking some very aggressive steps in moving to a
software-plus-services platform for embedded systems," Dallas
said.
Darryl K. Taft covers the development tools and developer-related issues beat from his office in Baltimore. He has more than 10 years of experience in the business and is always looking for the next scoop. Taft is a member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and was named 'one of the most active middleware reporters in the world' by The Middleware Co. He also has his own card in the 'Who's Who in Enterprise Java' deck.
Email
Print
