January 31st 2009 marks the withdrawal of Windows XP Professional OEM. In practise this will mean that both business and industrial users of this operating system will find it increasingly difficult and ultimately impossible to buy Windows XP as an individual product or pre-installed on a PC.

The disappearance of Windows XP will have a limited impact on the business user who, apart from the potential annoyance of a forced change, can easily migrate to the Vista operating system in their next IT upgrade. But for the industrial user who manufactures hardware or software that only has support for Windows XP, the problems could be far more severe. Re-writing software or re-designing hardware in the current economic climate would be an untimely enforced investment – a problem which the ongoing availability of Windows XP would solve.

Many industrial users of Windows XP are likely to be in for a shock the first time they hear that Windows XP is being discontinued. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel thanks to Microsoft’s considered gesture of putting Windows XP Professional (FES) on the road map until 2016.

This little known workaround will be delivered by Amplicon as a service to its customers as long as Windows XP Pro (FES) is available. Amplicon are investing in this solution as we recognise that it may save you a headache, a product line or even your entire company.

Amplicon has been working with Microsoft (UK) and Arrow Embedded Solutions (UK) to continue to provide ongoing availability of Windows XP Professional For Embedded Systems (FES) for the majority of customers. Although the operating system is essentially the same, there are significant licensing restrictions in place to ensure that it is only used within what can be broadly termed as an ‘embedded’ or ‘industrial’ application.

Our strong involvement within the UK Microsoft Embedded channel allows us to continue producing Industrial computers with Windows XP pre-installed and gives us the expertise to ensure that Amplicon customers maximise the usage of Windows XP Professional (FES), whilst still adhering to the licence restrictions.

Manoj Rami, Senior Marketing Manager, Microsoft Windows Embedded Business Group. Commented on the Amplicon capability: "As a leading UK supplier of industrial computer systems, Amplicon recognises the importance of educating its customers to ensure a smooth migration to Windows XP (FES).”

To help our customers understand the complex licensing conditions relating to Windows XP Pro (FES), Amplicon have written a white paper on the subject. Download Windows XP Professional for Embedded Systems white paper »

If you would like to talk to us about your application and whether Windows XP Professional (FES) is a viable solution for your business, please contact a member of our Industrial Computing Group. If we are unable to offer immediate help, we will discuss you specific case within our Microsoft channel. Rest assured, we are committed to help our customers navigate and understand the Windows XP Professional (FES) licence restrictions.

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