HAND HELD PRODUCTS SUPPORTS MICROSOFT'S RETAIL SOFTWARE PLATFORM

Hand Held Products, the worldwide leader in image-based data collection solutions, has announced that its barcode scanners, imagers and transaction terminals will support Windows Embedded for Point of Service (PoS) - Microsoft's retail software platform.

As part of Microsoft's joint development programme, Hand Held Products is currently developing solutions on Windows Embedded for Point of Service that will simplify the set-up, deployment and management of PoS systems. Microsoft will be making the technology available later in 2005, and Hand Held Products plans to offer it in selected models from its IMAGETEAM and Transaction Terminal product families.

"We're excited that companies such as Hand Held Products are helping to strengthen Microsoft's Smarter Retailing Initiative by optimising their products for the Windows Embedded for Point of Service platform," said Jason Demeny, Senior Product Manager for the Mobile and Embedded Devices Division at Microsoft.

"When available, these solutions will give our mutual customers even greater hardware flexibility through innovative plug-and-play technology as well as a manageable platform that enables emerging technologies like Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) or multimedia to enhance the customer experience, and to increase the productivity of in-store and Information Technology personnel."

Windows Embedded for Point of Service delivers low lifecycle costs by reducing the time spent on developing and testing individual components, and the deployment and servicing costs in Point of Service solutions.

Roel Vreeburg, Managing Director, EMEA, for Hand Held Products, says: "Our retail customers constantly demand innovative solutions that are simpler and more cost-effective. This new platform is an excellent example of how we're offering our customer base added choice that will improve their in-store experience and reduce costs through the lifecycle of the PoS system."