Wonderware is First Major HMI Software Developer to Support Microsoft Windows XP Professional Operating System; InTouch 7.11 Now Supports Windows XP In Industrial Applications

Business Wire, Jan 25, 2002

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 25, 2002

Wonderware, a unit of the Invensys Software Systems (ISS) group of Invensys plc, today announced that the company's flagship product, InTouch, now fully supports the Professional version of Microsoft's new Windows XP desktop operating system.

InTouch version 7.11 patch 01 was released in December 2001 and allows the user to take advantage of the advanced features in Windows XP Professional while utilizing one of the easiest to use human-machine interface (HMI) software packages on the market today.

Wonderware is the first HMI software company in the industrial automation market to leverage the functionality of Microsoft's new operating system.

"In keeping with Wonderware's legacy of offering leading edge technology to our customers, we have shifted our clients to the latest Microsoft operating system as quickly as possible," said Tim Sowell, vice president of product marketing for Wonderware.

"Wonderware was the first company to pioneer the use of Windows in industrial automation in 1989 and the company's strategy has always been to keep pace with Microsoft technology. Within 50 days of Windows XP's release, Wonderware's InTouch and ActiveFactory products were enabled to support the new operating system."

InTouch 7.11 is the world's leading graphical (HMI) for industrial automation, process control and supervisory monitoring. InTouch provides the visualization for a plant-centric, operator-centric manufacturing information system, where information is shared within and between plants.

InTouch is in use in more than 180,000 installations around the world in a multitude of vertical markets including food processing, oil and gas, automotive, chemical, pharmaceutical, pulp and paper, transportation and utilities.

Released on Oct. 25, 2001, Windows XP Professional is the fastest Windows operating system to date. It features distributed computing, standards-based security, manageability and reliability. Built on the proven code base of Windows NT and Windows 2000, the new desktop operating system also has a simplified user interface and innovative support services.

Lab reports revealed that Windows XP offered faster startup performance, better run-time performance and superior memory.

"Support for the new Windows XP operating system allows Wonderware customers to take advantage of the latest capabilities provided by Microsoft on the most stable and best performing Windows operating system," said Steve Lewarne, director of product marketing for Wonderware.

"In addition to the current support for Windows XP, Wonderware's continuing commitment will be demonstrated through the support of the new operating system on future releases of Wonderware products.

"Additionally, Wonderware's support for Windows XP will help speed the acceptance of the new operating system in the industrial automation market, in turn encouraging others to add support for the operating system to their products. This ultimately gives customers improved options, both in terms of quantity and quality," he said.

About Wonderware

Wonderware is an operating unit of the Invensys Software Systems (ISS) division of Invensys plc and is the world's leading supplier of industrial automation software. Founded in 1987, the company pioneered the use of Microsoft Windows-based, human-machine-interface (HMI) automation software for manufacturing operation systems.

The company's mission is to provide integrated software suites that drive the customer's strategic, planning and operational decision-making based on real-time plant floor information.

Based in Irvine, the company has regional sales and development offices throughout North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia to provide support to its network of more than 160 distributor offices. Wonderware has more than 180,000 successful installations in more than 30,000 plants worldwide. For more information, visit the Wonderware Web site at www.wonderware.com.

About Invensys

Invensys plc is one of the global leaders in automation and controls. With headquarters in London, Invensys operates in all regions of the world through four focused divisions -- Software Systems, Automation Systems, Power Systems and Control Systems.

[pilcrow (paragraph sign)] With just over 75,000 employees, the group supplies products and services ranging from advanced control systems, remote diagnostics and energy management for process plants, factories and commercial environments to electronic devices and networks for residential buildings, as well as complete power systems for the industrial, telecommunications and information technology sectors.

For more information, visit the Invensys home page at www.invensys.com.

Note to Editors: FactorySuite, InTouch, ActiveFactory are trademarks of Wonderware Corp. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.