Windows Embedded 8 now available through volume licensing

Windows Embedded 8 is now available for enterprise customers to buy directly from Microsoft through its volume licensing programme for the first time.

The offering is designed to extend the Windows 8 experience to a wide range of edge devices and make it easier and more secure for them to exchange data with an organisation's back-end systems.

The software giant claims the operating system can support industry-specific devices, including medical devices, self-service kiosks and digital signage units.

Microsoft has previously talked up the software as an enabler of the Internet of Things trend, as it will allow data from a wide variety of sources to be processed and analysed.

Enterprises will have a choice of three volume licensing options to choose from, including Windows Embedded 8 Industry Pro, Windows Embedded 8 Industry Enterprise and Windows Embedded 8 Standard Enterprise Kit.

Barb Edson, general manager of marketing and business development for Windows Embedded at Microsoft, said: "The addition of the volume licensing option provides enterprises with more control of their devices by offering the flexibility to upgrade to the latest generation of software, enabling new features and enhancing experiences through Windows Embedded 8 without upgrading their hardware."

The embedded version of the operating system has been on general release since March 2013.