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InTech, Oct 2001

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ICONICS, STATUS INK PARTNERSHIP

Fault-tolerant computer supplier Stratus Technologies will enter into a global partnership agreement with Iconics, a Web-enabled automation software developer, officials said at ISA 2001 in Houston. The duo is teaming on a fault-tolerant hardware/software system for manufacturing operations. Stratus's ftServer system will become the fault-tolerant computing platform for Iconics' new OPC-based Genesis32 Enterprise Edition. Version 6.1, SCADA software.

INVENSYS OFFERS COMMON ARCHITECTURE

Invensys will introduce a convergence of the company's existing organizations called Invensys Manufacturing and Process Solutions, said president Joe Cowan at ISA 2001 in Houston. This move encompasses a new product platform and common architecture that spans all automation control and related plant-site system product lines. Also introduced was a new family of pressure sensors with an Internet-based delivery mechanism to its market base, allowing the new company to competitively price these new transmitters.

OPC FOUNDATION INTRODUCES DATA EXCHANGE

The OPC Foundation introduced a new initiative at ISA 2001 in Houston called Data Exchange (DX), which involves a number of the other fieldbus consortium members. "With OPC DX, we're defining a new mechanism that extends upon the existing interfaces, but now through device to device and server to server, we've made a lot of progress in data access, and now we're carrying that momentum into data exchange," said Tom Burke, president of the foundation.

AFTER ATTACK ON U.S., ISA SHUTS DOWN SHOW ONE DAY EARLY

ISA-The Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Society closed its ISA ZOUI Conference and Exhibition at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston one day early as a result of the tragic events on 11 September. "We sincerely regret the necessity of this decision, but after consulting with ISA leadership and staff, the ISA Exhibitor Advisory Committee, and ISA 2001 exhibitors, all parties agreed that closing the show after three full days was the least painful option and in the best interests of the majority of ISA customers--exhibiting companies and attendees," said Robert Bailliet, ISA president. The show started off strong, with an estimated 17-600 attendees and 751 exhibiting companies.

FORD WANTS TO MERGE ENGINEERING GROUPS, SHUT DOWN PLANTS

In a move to speed up product development and cut costs, Ford Motor Co. will merge its Nort American car and truck engineering groups. Ford is also in the process of reviewing its assembly plants in the U.S. and Canada, which could result in up to three plants closing. The rationale behind merging the engineering groups is that new-style hybrid vehicles blur traditional distinctions between cars and trucks. As with any merger of positions, workers should expect a round of layoffs.

RWE DIVES INTO U.S. WATER MARKET

Making a splash in the U.S. water market, German utility RWE AG will pay $4.6 billion for U.S. water utility American Water Works. RWE said it would merge American Water, the No. 1 U.S. publicly traded water company, with its global water company based in the U.K., Thames Water, making it responsible for RWE's North and South American operations.

FIRMS LAUNCH FAULT-TOLERANT CONSORTIUM

Three of Japan's largest manufacturers have teamed with Stratus Technologies, Microsoft, and Intel to establish a Fault Tolerant Server Consortium (FTSC).FTSC's founders said they hope the group will grow into a worldwide organization as more information technology product manufacturers bring fault-tolerant products to market. Charter companies include Hitachi Ltd., Intel K.K., Microsoft Co. Ltd., NEC Corp., Stratus Technologies Japan Inc., and Toshiba Corp.

TO SAVE BASS DEAL, INTERBREW HOPS AT CHANCE TO SELL CARLING

Interbrew SA, the Belgian brewer of Stella Artois, Labatt's, and Rolling Rock, agreed to sell off its Carling beer brand so it can gain approval from British financial authorities for its $3.3 billion acquisition of Bass Brewers. British Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Patricia Hewitt said to gain its OK, Interbrew will have to sell either Carling or other Bass brands to remedy the "adverse effects" of its acquisition of Bass.

AFTER THE MERCER, WESTVACO, MEAD CLOSE PLANTS

Just about one week after agreeing to a $3 billion merger with Mead Corp, paper company Westvaco Corp. said it will close a 122-year old, 265-employee Pennsylvania paper mill because of competitive pressures from a slowing economy. Meanwhile, Mead will close its school and office products plant to Atlanta to cut costs, a move that will result in the loss of 215 jobs, officials said.

BP WITHDRAWS FROM PIPELINE DEAL

BP will withdraw plans to participate in construction of a 2,500-mile natural-gas pipeline between Northwestern China and Shanghai. The company estimated its cost of participation at $15 billion. BP has about $3.5 billion invested in Chinese energy and chemical companies.

NORTH AND SOUTH KOREA STUDY JOINT PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION