Honeywell Helps Found Internet Home Alliance Dedicated to Bringing Benefits of Internet Lifestyle to Consumers; Fourteen Leading Consumer Companies Form Open Alliance

Business Wire, Oct 18, 2000

Business Editors & Technology Writers

MINNEAPOLIS & SAN RAMON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 18, 2000

Honeywell (NYSE:HON), the nation's leading provider of home controls and automation instruments, today announced that it is one of the 14 Founding members of a new industry alliance -- Internet Home Alliance -- dedicated to enhancing consumers' understanding, appreciation and adoption of the Internet lifestyle. Through its leadership with the Alliance, Honeywell will work to fuel the market by promoting industry communication and assisting in the development of the entire ecosystem.

A recent survey by Honeywell found that the Internet is an important tool in many of today's homes: 61% said the Internet was so useful, they couldn't imagine living without it. Moreover, 81% disagreed with the statement: "No one really needs the Internet at home," indicating that Americans overwhelmingly agree that Internet access is useful in the home. The Second Annual Honeywell Your Home Survey found that Americans can imagine themselves using the Internet in a variety of ways -- from researching recipes in the kitchen, to getting automotive tips in the garage.

"We are proud and delighted to be a part of this important industry initiative," said Jay Schrankler, vice president, Honeywell Home Comfort Systems. "We have long recognized the growing influence the Internet is having on Americans' daily lives. We, along with all the Alliance members, understand the need to incorporate the Internet into American's lives in a way that is easy and accessible for everyone -- ensuring that the enormous benefits available can become standard in the American household."

Honeywell has already extended its expertise in home controls and automation instruments into Web-enabled solutions that are available on the market today. Last week, Honeywell was the first to introduce a wireless, portable WebPAD(TM) Internet device, allowing homeowners to access the Internet from anywhere in a 150 feet away from a base station -- basically anywhere in a normal home and yard. The Honeywell WebPAD device can be the ultimate "control panel" for homeowners to operate multiple functions -- via the Internet -- for enhancing home comfort, health and safety, as well as the many innovations that will benefit homeowners in the future.

"We believe Honeywell's trusted brand and technology leadership in creating flexible, optimum access for the home's electronic support and networking needs are important contributions that we bring to the Alliance," Mr. Shrankler said. "As home technologies continue to converge, we look forward to working collaboratively with all member companies to make the Internet lifestyle an easy solution for Americans today."

Honeywell has already introduced and is currently marketing products that are Web-enabled and will support future innovations. The Honeywell Home Controller Gateway unites a home's temperature, security, lighting, heating and air conditioning functions into an integrated control solution. Homeowners monitor operations and create the environment they want through a built-in Home Controller Gateway Web server, using their PC or a wireless WebPAD Internet device to remotely access the secure Honeywell server.

Honeywell has also introduced the Honeywell Structured wiring solution which provides a future-ready infrastructure to maximize emerging technologies and can support communication and networking among separate pieces of equipment -- while helping ensure flexible, optimum access throughout the home for phone, Internet services, audio/video applications and technology upgrades.

For more information about Honeywell's networked product offerings, call 1-800-345-6770, ext. 501A. Or see www.honeywell.com/yourhome/.> Internet Home Alliance, Ind. is an association of leading companies working together to advance the home technology industry by developing the ecosystem needed to support the delivery of Internet lifestyle solutions and educating consumers on the value of an Internet lifestyle. The Internet Home Alliance is an open alliance that encourages cross-industry participation. Founding members include 3Com, Best Buy, Cisco Systems, CompUSA, General Motors, Honeywell, Invensys, Motorola, New Power Company, Panasonic, Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Sun Microsystems. For more information on Internet Home Alliance, visit www.internethomealliance.com.

Honeywell is a US$24-billion diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; power generation systems; specialty chemicals; fibers; plastics; and electronic and advanced materials. The company is a leading provider of software and solutions, and Internet e-hubs including MyPlant.com, MyFacilities.com and MyAircraft.com (joint venture with United Technologies and i2 Technologies). Honeywell employs approximately 120,000 people in 95 countries and is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol HON, as well as on the London, Chicago and Pacific stock exchanges. It is one of the 30 stocks that make up the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is also a component of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. Additional information on the company is available on the Internet at www.honeywell.com.