Microsoft Windows Embedded Server products give OEMs a powerful way to use the advanced Windows Server technology that is part of the Microsoft server product portfolio. These server software products provide the infrastructure for IT operations, security, application integration, and collaboration.

Windows Embedded Server products include optimized operating systems and server application software to address key dedicated server and server appliance deployment scenarios. Because Windows Embedded Server products are designed and licensed to provide specific server functionality within an IT infrastructure, Microsoft makes these server technologies available to OEMs at favorable royalty rates when compared to Microsoft general purpose operating systems. The result is powerful server technology at a price that OEMs can utilize to compete in price-sensitive markets.

More and more independent analysts and leading companies are finding that Windows Server technology outperforms Linux on total cost of ownership (TCO), reliability, security, and indemnification from intellectual property risks. For dedicated server and server appliance solutions, the choice is more clear than ever: Windows Embedded Server products.

Windows Embedded Server products provide several key advantages to OEMs, including:

• Reduced time-to-market through use of Microsoft-provided development tools and documentation, and software that is compatible with commodity hardware and industry standard protocols.
• Opportunity to add unique value through the extensible nature of the Microsoft Server product portfolio and breadth of available third-party Independent Software Vendors (ISV) solutions.
• Lower support and training needs for customers because of the hardened, streamlined nature of dedicated server and server appliance solutions.
• Greater productivity as Windows Embedded Server products are easier for customers to deploy, manage, and use in existing Microsoft Windows operating system environments.