Now for the magic moment…the first mechanical and electrical prototype is complete! This is the day the design actually comes to life and looks and feels kind of like the end unit. Normally, there are bugs in the software and adjustments that are needed to the hardware. This process is very expensive because the whole unit is hand-made (including the plastics) and also hand assembled. Typically, these units are designed to be upgraded while the software is not final -- they have Flash ROMS that are slower - performance benchmarks at this stage are not accurate.

From what I've seen, there are two or more rounds of mechanical units that are created. The last round is usually used for beta testers as well as press to get the word out about the unit so you as the reader are interested in buying it. Based on the press impressions and customer feedback, the OEM decides how many to produce on the first production run. Normally each product will go through multiple production runs in the product's lifetime.

Also during this time, the marketing team is design the marketing materials with the name of the product on them as well as all the specs and features of the new systems. The preliminary documentation is usually complete for the beta testers and press and such critical details as the AC adapters and sync cables are readied to bundle with the units as well.

Once the unit goes to it's final stage where the OEM engineers believe that it's stable and functional, the final ROMs are ordered. The process of creating the final ROMs takes approximately six to eight weeks. During that time, the OEM has ordered the components for the device in the quantity required for the first production run. During this time, the OEM is dependent on the individual component manufacturers to provide the stock of components that the device's OEM needs -- and in a timely manner. Also, during this time, the Windows CE Services CD, application software CD and documentation is printed. This is a critical time in the process -- if you can't get the parts you need, you can't create the units!

Once all the components are in the same warehouse, the assembly process begins. When this mechanical process is complete, you have a complete device that is ready for sale. Most production occurs offshore, so the OEMs have to pay for air freight for the first devices to arrive here while others come by boat (which takes a lot longer but is a lot cheaper). Then the units sit in Customs and are finally sent to a central warehouse here in the US for final delivery to a retailer near you. Sometimes, the OEMs are able to time delivery to coincide with the product announcement by Microsoft, however most of the time the OEMs ship months later.

As you can see, there are lots of steps and traps that can bog down the delivery and availability of devices before you ever see them. Please be patient with your favorite OEM, they are all going through this difficult process and are doing their best to create the best product they can.

Chris De Herrera is webmaster of CEWindows.NET (at http://www.cewindows.net), a leading source for assistance with Windows CE. He is an Assistant Forum Manager for MSN's Windows CE Forum and a Community Leader for America Online's PDA Forum. He also writes the Comm Link column on Microsoft's Windows CE website. He also a Most Valuable Professional for Windows CE for providing assistance on Microsoft.Public.WindowsCE newsgroup. You can reach him at Chris@CEWindows.net.