Windows Tackles Embedded Complexity

Embedded devices are beginning to look a lot like desktop computers, as customers demand graphical interfaces, high-speed communications, multimedia, and full integration with Internet-delivered data and services. With these features already built into the Windows operating system, it is only natural for developers to consider variations of the Windows operating system for new embedded products. Microsoft's latest Windows Embedded portfolio of platforms and technologies offers the developer plenty of features and functionality to support the next generation of highly complex embedded devices.

Software complexity is just one of several reasons to consider a Windows variation for embedded applications. Other advantages of a Windows-based operating system are the availability of a large number of skilled programmers, familiar development tools, and extensive third-party hardware and software support. Newer embedded devices also require local data Security for remote applications and network security software to safely connect with remote databases and services.

Windows Embedded Standard 7 includes several new security features, including BitLocker and DirectAccess to deal with these cases. For local security, BitLocker encrypts data stored on protected volumes, so if a hard drive is removed from the system, the data is unreadable. For communications security, DirectAccess automatically creates a secure connection between client systems and the company server without the need to initiate a Virtual Private Network (VPN) session. Microsoft also spends considerable time and resources testing and fixing security flaws for both desktop and embedded products.