Frequently Asked Questions

Bsquare has been helping our partners and customers build IoT and embedded systems and devices for more than 25 years. We are a longstanding Microsoft engineering and operations partner.

As a software-only distributor of Windows IoT software, we offer best-in-class service, technical support, utility tools, and aggressive pricing. We support all of Microsoft’s embedded products as well as embedded Linux, Android, FreeRTOS, QNX, and ThreadX.

Microsoft requires OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) to execute an OEM Customer License Agreement (CLA), which Bsquare will facilitate between you and Microsoft. This non-negotiable agreement is set up via DocuSign. There are no obligations to purchase with the establishment of the agreement. See below for answers to common questions about the Microsoft CLA.

The software inside is the same. If you’re building a fixed-function smart or embedded device, the Windows 10 IoT family is the right operating system for the project. While all editions of Windows 10 provide the security and management features that customers expect from Microsoft, only Windows 10 IoT Enterprise offers a 10-year support cycle. With Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, you also get advanced lockdown features, including keyboard and write filter.

The software inside is the same here, too. Windows Server IoT 2019 is the binary equivalent to Windows Server 2019, with the same robust features and capabilities. The difference is in usage and licensing. The IoT version is built for fixed-purpose devices that need heavy-duty computing at the edge, with SAC and LTSC licensing options.

Windows IoT and Embedded product keys can only be used with OEM licensing channels.

Bsquare will assist you with the OEM Pre Install Kit (OPK) download process or we can ship OPK DVDs for a small shipping fee.

Order COA licenses when you are ready to ship your device to an end customer.

Microsoft offers the Windows ADK, which contains the Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT). Download the ADK for the OS version in use and install the VAMT.

The COA or license is tied to the hardware. It cannot be removed and put on another server. If you try, it will not come off in one piece and the COA will be rendered useless. The license, once purchased and affixed to the device, is associated with the device for its lifetime.

Using Microsoft Migration Rights, an OEM can purchase a COA of the current OS and install an image of a prior operating system and deliver that system to end users. The end user then has 12 months of use of the prior OS before they must migrate to the current operating system.

The cost for an upgrade license is the same cost as the full license.

Windows 10 IoT Core is targeted to low-power hardware and can run one Universal Windows Platform app at a time. Windows 10 IoT Enterprise can run on a wider range of hardware and has more features.

CLA stands for Customer License Agreement, which is an agreement between an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) and Microsoft. It lets the OEM purchase and use Windows Embedded and IoT OS (operating system) products for embedded applications and connected devices. It also grants the OEM access to download the OS software in the Microsoft Software Order Center, and purchase the software licenses through an Authorized Distributor, such as Bsquare.

As an OEM, you need to sign the CLA before downloading the Windows software for development and before placing a purchase order for the software licenses.

To obtain a CLA, you must coordinate with an Authorized Distributor such as Bsquare to initiate the CLA request. After your request, Microsoft sends an email to the OEM designated contact to fill out and submit the request. Once submitted, Microsoft will review and approve the request. Once approved, Microsoft will send another email to your designated contact confirming the CLA is in place.

There is no cost to request or sign the CLA.

If you don’t yet have a CLA, we will need the following information in order to set you up with one:

1. 1. Company Name and Any DBA
   2. Company Address (Street, City, State, Zip)
   3. Company Website
   4. Company Industry/ Device Type
   5. Estimated annual volume (can be rough estimate)
   6. Are these devices connected to the internet? If so, what cloud provider is being used?
   7. Primary Contact First and Last Name
   8. Primary Contact Email Address
   9. Primary Contact Phone Number
   10. Primary Contact Job Title

Typically CLA requests are reviewed and approved within 48 hours. However, if any ARA (Additional Rights Agreement) is being requested with the CLA, the ARA approvals can take up to 1-2 weeks for Microsoft to approve.

ARA stands for Additional Rights Agreement. It is a subsidiary agreement under the CLA that is set up to add authorized subcontractors (or outsource manufacturers), third-party integrators, or third-party brand names that need to be involved in the development, licensing, or branding aspects of an OEM’s application or device.

If you already have a CLA in place and need to add or change an ARA, contact your Bsquare account executive to initiate the new or change request or contact us.

To begin the process, fill out this form and Microsoft will send your primary contact an electronic version to sign online. Bsquare will be with you every step of the way.

Or fill out our general contact us form for further assistance.

OPK stands for OEM Preinstallation Kit. It is the full software required for OS (operating system) development for all Windows IoT, Server, and SQL products.

For CLA holders, OPKs are available for download in the Microsoft Software Order Center (SOC). Please note that this link will only work after you have a signed CLA.

Access to this tool is granted to valid CLA holders. If you have a valid CLA, you can email msoemops@Microsoft.com, referencing your CLA number, to request login credentials.

If you do not know your company’s CLA number, contact your Bsquare account executive or use the form linked below.

Read the the SOC guide, linked below. If you need further assistance or you experience issues with the SOC tool, email your Bsquare account executive or contact us.

If you need help locating which OPK kit number to download, contact your Bsquare account executive or use the form linked below so we can help.