How to Choose: Windows Embedded Channel or Windows System Builder Channel

OEMs have a choice of two channels for buying Microsoft operating systems:

• The Embedded Channel, serving OEMs that build dedicated-purpose devices (e.g., a telephony server for VoIP applications).
• The System Builder Channel, serving OEMs that build general-purpose devices (e.g., a general-purpose file or print server for internal use within an enterprise).

The Embedded Channel is the only Microsoft channel for buying certain products—Windows XP Embedded®, Windows Embedded CE®, Windows Embedded for Point of Service® (WEPOS), and MS-DOS®. Other operating system products can be purchased from either the Embedded Channel or the System Builder Channel.

In general, if you qualify for purchasing through the Embedded Channel, you should do so, as it offers lower pricing, greater product availability, longer product support lifecycles and lower operational costs in deploying solutions. Specifically, only the Embedded Channel offers:

• Lowest pricing. Not only do embedded versions cost less (because of their restricted use), but they also don’t require any volume commitments—you just pay as you go.
• Longest product availability and support lifecycle. Products purchased through the Embedded Channel are available and supported for up to 15 years—significantly longer than those purchased through the System Builder Channel.
• No need for Windows Product Activation (WPA). If you qualify for Microsoft’s System Lock Pre-Installation (SLP) program, which requires purchasing certain minimum quantities, we’ll show you how to bypass WPA and save valuable time in the OS provisioning process.
• Single-image recovery media. If you purchase your operating system through the Embedded Channel, you can create a single recovery image containing not only the OS, but also all the applications and drivers.
• Third-party usage. When you buy through the Embedded Channel, you can use a contract manufacturer or systems integrator for OS integration services or use Microsoft-approved third parties to buy embedded licenses on your behalf.
• Windows shell customization. Buying through the Embedded Channel gives you the ability to customize the Windows shell—for example, suppressing the Windows splash screens and booting right into the embedded application, so you can control the user experience.

Which Products Can Be Purchased Through the Embedded Channel?

The Embedded Channel isn't just for purchasing traditional embedded products. If your product qualifies, you can also use this channel to purchase many of the popular "classic" operating systems—thereby gaining the extra benefits of the Embedded Channel.

Products available through the Embedded Channel fall into three categories:

Desktop operating systems – popular products include:

• Windows XP Professional with Embedded Restrictions
• Windows 2000 with Embedded Restrictions
• Windows NT Embedded
• Windows 3.1 and 3.11
• MS-DOS 6.22

Server operating systems – popular products include:

• Windows Server™ 2008 R2 for Embedded Systems
• Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 for Embedded Systems
• Windows SQL Server™ 2008 for Embedded Systems
• Windows SQL Server ™ 2005 for Embedded Systems
• Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 for Embedded Systems

Embedded operating systems – popular products include:

• Windows Embedded CE
• Windows Embedded Standard
• Windows Embedded POSReady
• Windows 3.1 and 3.11
• Windows Embedded NavReady

For more information about licensing these or other Windows Embedded products contact a licensing specialist or call 1.425.519.5900 or 1.888.820.4500.