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Microsoft
Delivers Beta 1 of Windows NT Embedded 4.0
Enhances Platform With Additional Embedded Technologies REDMOND, Wash. - Feb 22, 1999 - Microsoft Corp. today
announced the first beta release of the Microsoft® Windows NT®
Embedded operating system version 4.0 to more than 350 technical beta testing
sites, following last November's alpha release. In addition, the company
announced the expansion of the beta testing program and the delivery of new
features developed specifically for the embedded systems industry. Historically, embedded systems vendors have developed closed
solutions based on fragmented and proprietary platforms. With Windows NT
Embedded 4.0, Microsoft provides a comprehensive set of technologies from which
vendors can select and choose operating system features, enabling faster time to
market for embedded products. The combination of the Windows® CE
operating system and Windows NT Embedded provides support for a full spectrum of
devices. Windows NT Embedded 4.0 targets systems in the mid- and high-end of the
industry such as high-speed copiers, patient monitors, private branch exchanges
(PBXs), point-of-sale terminals and a host of other embedded systems. Windows NT
Embedded 4.0 offers many design advantages for embedded solutions that are
highly interconnected, require full Win32® API binary compatibility,
and are tightly integrated with Microsoft BackOffice® family
products in line-of-business systems. "We have received excellent feedback from our alpha
testers on Windows NT Embedded 4.0, and now we are looking to expand the program
even further," said Jim Allchin, senior vice president of personal and
business systems at Microsoft. "Windows NT Embedded 4.0 will provide
vendors with one of the fastest ways to deliver embedded products and solutions
to the industry." Windows NT Embedded 4.0 delivers new embedded features and
target design tools that will help vendors reduce time to market for new
devices, lower development costs and improve the functionality of solutions.
These new features include support for headless operation (in which no mouse,
keyboard or display devices are required), diskless operation (in which users
can operate from read-only media such as CD-ROMs or FLASH) and remote management
infrastructure. Additional enhancements based on alpha customer feedback
include the following: "NEC Corp. views Windows NT Embedded 4.0 as a strategic
technology in the success of our future embedded and specific-function devices,
particularly in the areas of communications and networked kiosks," said
Kazuhiko Kobayashi, associate senior vice president of NEC. "We are
impressed with the progress Microsoft has made with the beta of Windows NT
Embedded 4.0. The broad functionality and specific embedded features in Windows
NT Embedded 4.0 make it an excellent solution for quickly delivering our next
generation of products." Microsoft is delivering embedded-ready tools such as the
Target Designer (for selecting Windows NT platform components) and Component
Designer (for adding applications and third-party components) to simplify
development of unique embedded solutions and devices. Beta Application Process Companies and organizations interested in participating in the
beta program for Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the
worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide
range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with
the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage
of the full power of personal computing every day. Microsoft, Windows NT, Win32 and BackOffice are either
registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States
and/or other countries. Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of
their respective owners. Copyright (C)
1998-1999 The Active Network. All rights reserved.
Windows NT Embedded 4.0 can apply by sending a request via e-mail to winntreq@microsoft.com.
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