As the name shows the Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro is a Embedded Version of Windows 8. Windows Embedded Industry (Formerly Windows Embedded POSReady) is an operating system developed by Microsoft as part of its Windows Embedded line of products designed for use in Industrial Devices such as Automated teller machines and Self Service Checkouts. Windows Embedded 8.1 is a family of Windows 8.1 based operating systems developed by Microsoft. Windows Embedded 8.1 is a family of Windows 8.1 based operating systems developed by Microsoft.

Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry extends Windows 8.1 to a range of edge devices across retail, manufacturing, healthcare and any other industries in which powerful line-of-business applications and the ability to perform a specialized function in a secure and reliable way is paramount.

Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry is available preinstalled on OEM devices; additionally, Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Enterprise is available through Volume Licensing programs. Through Volume Licensing, enterprises can upgrade existing Windows Embedded devices to Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry, and can gain access to additional enterprise-specific features not available through OEMs. These enterprise features, which include DirectAccess, BrancheCache, Enterprise Sideloading, and AppLocker, empower enterprises to gain greater manageability and control over their devices and enable new scenarios.

With this update, Windows Embedded brings the latest Windows 8.1 innovations in security, management, and user experience to our partners. In addition to the full capabilities of Windows 8.1, Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry offers the flexibility and enhanced lockdown capabilities needed to power Industry devices.

Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Top Features

Visually Rich Deliver immersive experiences through multi-gesture touch interfaces and context-aware applications that are eye-catching and intuitive.nf

Easy to develop Deploy device peripherals that are plug-n-play, update peripherals more easily, and decrease support costs through streamlined integration with an open device driver architecture based on industry standards.

Targeted and consistent Provide a consistent user experience with advanced lockdown features; the full Windows platform provides a consistent and predictable development experience, and a high degree of application compatibility.

Secure and reliable Protect the integrity of the device by securing and encrypting hardware, supporting a range of antimalware solutions, and ensuring the device restarts and acts the same way every time.

Things OEMs can do with Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry

Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry is a full Windows platform solution based on Windows 8.1 that provides essential capabilities for devices in retail, manufacturing, healthcare and banking, and enables those industry devices as part of an intelligent system solution to span the entire spectrum of Microsoft technologies. Solutions built on Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry help enterprises transform the business through new forms of data, insight and analysis through a consistent, connected Microsoft architecture, from the device layer to back-end software and services.

Meets your needs

Leverage speed and efficiency in operations. Engage employees with new user interfaces that are more natural and human. Empower customers to easily interact with displays and other devices. And capture every interaction for thoughtful analysis on the back end. Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry brings the power of Windows 8.1 to industry devices, supporting new kinds of experiences that delight users and create value for enterprise organizations through touch and gesture input.

Capitalize on your existing IT investment by integrating your new Windows Embedded-powered devices with your other Microsoft assets, such as Windows-powered PCs and servers. Management of your intelligent system is streamlined because your devices work smoothly with your existing Microsoft technology. And with Volume Licensing features, you can tailor functionality to your unique businesses needs and deliver a targeted and consistent device experience to your customers and employees.

Extend business intelligence

Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry-based devices extend the power of Microsoft technologies to the very edge of the corporate network. Now every interaction among customers, employees, inventory and services can be captured, measured and analyzed to extend business intelligence and create new streams of data, information and insight. By connecting common industry devices, enterprise applications and cloud services into an organization-wide intelligent system, companies can build more accurate forecasts, develop dynamic pricing models, better understand their customers, offer targeted promotions and increase efficiency by realizing new value from devices deployed in the field and back office business systems. Further, connectivity to on-premise and cloud-based IT assets allows enterprise users to access business-critical information at the point where it’s needed most.

One trusted platform

Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry represents an ideal solution for industry devices that utilize powerful line-of-business applications. The new name reflects an expanded focus on supporting the entire range of devices that power organizations in retail, manufacturing, healthcare, and any other industry that requires the ability to perform a specialized function in a secure, reliable and customizable way. With Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry, OEMs can build the next generation of industry-specific devices that easily and seamlessly integrate into the entire suite of Microsoft technologies, providing a rich new source of information that can be deployed, managed and secured by IT using existing skill sets.

Create differentiated devices

Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry is a full Windows platform to create and build specialized device experiences, while delivering an immersive user interface through multi-touch and gesture input. Windows 8.1 Industry-based devices can allow for a consistent, connected architecture from the device layer to back-end software and services, unlocking new streams of information for analysis and insight for customers across multiple industries, including retail, manufacturing and healthcare.

Extend business intelligence

Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry allows for easy connectivity to on-premise and cloud-based IT assets, enabling devices to deliver business-critical information at the point of impact. By connecting specialized industry devices to enterprise applications, servers and cloud services, OEMs can deliver industry devices that participate in an enterprise’s intelligent system and help them realize new value from their IT assets, such as more accurate forecasts, dynamic pricing models, a better understanding of their customers, targeted promotional offers and increased efficiency—using the same Microsoft technologies that enterprise IT professionals already know.

Sample Devices for Windows Embedded 8 Industry:

POS terminals – Connecting these devices to back-end software and systems has become a requirement for competitive retailers today.

ATMs – A reliable, straightforward methods for customers to withdraw or deposit money and check on available funds.

Automated manufacturing solutions – Increase efficiency and gain greater insight into plant conditions, supply-chain levels and product quality with automated solutions for manufacturing.

Medical devices – Sonograms and other medical devices enable doctors to monitor a baby’s health in utero and send images to researchers in real-time via a wireless network.

For more information on Windows Embedded 8 Industry, contact
Avnet’s Microsoft Team at MSTeam@avnet.com or (800) 474-3044
or use the Quote Me form at the top of the page.

Move your mouse cursor over the license type to see a brief description. Click the license type for full details. Click a part number to add that part to the Quote Me form above.

Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry

Related:

• Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Now Available Through Volume Licensing
• Analyst’s report details Microsoft’s ‘opportunities,’ ‘threats’ when it comes to the Internet of Things

Windows® Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro delivers all the power, familiarity, and reliability of the Windows® 8.1 operating system for developers to create advanced commercial and consumer devices running thousands of existing Windows applications and drivers.

Windows® Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro has the exact same installation media as the Windows® Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro Retail version. The difference can be found only in the licenses terms of the products (Retail to use only in POS/Kiosk environment).
Unleash the power of Windows® 8.1 technologies in Windows® Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro using a solid platform that fits into existing customer infrastructure.
The Windows® Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro is based on the exact same binaries as Windows® 8.1 professional but includes in addition special Embedded features.
This are the key features from Microsoft Windows® Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro:

• Same codebase as Windows® 8.1 Professional
• Full installation
• Not componentized
• Additional Embedded features like: Write Filters, Custom Shell, USB Filter, Keyboard Filter

Windows® Embedded 8.1 Industry Quick Links

New in Windows® Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro

What’s New in Windows® Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro

New Components and Tools

• Windows® Multi Touch
• Windows® RT Framework
• Modern Style User Interface (optional)
• EFI / UEFI support (Secure Boot, UEFI Write Filters)
• AppLocker
• VHD Boot
• Sensor and Location Platform
• Faster Boot Time
• Improved Power Management (i.e. Core Parking)
• VDI Remote Desktop
• Bitlocker To Go

Development Process

Windows® Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro allows for application compatibility by containing the following utilities that simplify and streamline the entire development process.

The whole process is installation .wim file based. The developer can run through the installation wizard or generate an unattend.xml file for a keyless installation. There is no Target Designer or First Boot Agent (FBA) like in Windows® Embedded Standard 2009 / XP Embedded any more.

In fact, it's the standard Windows® 8.1 Professional installation DVD and you can install after the installation the embedded features over the control panel.

Windows 8.1 Embedded Key

More details can be found here

Image Based Wizard (IBW)

Windows 8.1 Embedded Download

A wizard based tool that allows for rapid prototyping of images and provides the quickest way to install a customized image on a device. this is the same wizard as known from Windows® 8.1 Professional or Enterprise. The Embedded features can be installed afterwards over the system control panel -> Programs and Features -> Turn Windows features on or off.

Windows 8.1 Downloads

Windows® Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro Key Features

Windows 8.1 Embedded Product Key