Microsoft announces Windows Embedded Device Manager 2011

At the Microsoft Management Summit on Thursday, Microsoft announced the release of Windows Embedded Device Manager 2011, an extension for System Center Configuration Manager 2007 that allows IT to manage Windows Embedded Standard and POSReady devices such as thin clients, digital signage, and, of course point of sale terminals.

Microsoft is accelerating the evolution of enterprise embedded devices, and today's announcement of Windows Embedded Device Manager 2011 follows the release of Windows Embedded Standard 7 SP1 earlier this month.

"With the addition of Windows Embedded Device Manager to Microsoft's extensive management portfolio, we're in a unique position to make the lives of IT managers a lot easier across PCs, servers and embedded devices," Kevin Dallas, general manager for Windows Embedded at Microsoft said today. "Previously, enterprises were forced to implement several management solutions to meet their needs, at a significant time and financial cost. We've made it simple for IT professionals to make simultaneous system updates across the enterprise with the familiarity of System Center Configuration Manager."

The solution's main benefit, therefore, is the ability to manage PCs, servers, and embedded enterprise devices from within a single application, tightening an IT department's device management and imaging capabilities.