interesting news story:
Tuesday February 23, 9:01 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: Microsoft Corp.
Microsoft Launches Windows DNA
for Manufacturing
Steve Ballmer Unveils Integration Architecture Initiative, Announces
Widespread Support From Industry-Leading Developers and Customers
SEATTLE, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Steve Ballmer, president of Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:
MSFT - news), today launched a collaborative initiative with customers, developers and
manufacturers aimed at producing a technical architecture that will reduce costs and simplify the
process of deploying, integrating and managing systems for manufacturing enterprises. The
architecture, called Windows® Distributed interNet Applications (Windows DNA) for
Manufacturing, will allow disparate manufacturing software applications to integrate seamlessly,
enabling a proficient information exchange among distributed solutions from the shop floor and
enterprise resource planning (ERP) processes.
This integration will improve a manufacturer's ability to gather, share and analyze key data elements
and information throughout the enterprise in real time, resulting in better, more proactive business
decisions, greater efficiency and reduced costs.
''Integration is a major key to the success of deploying a modern manufacturing system, but piecing
the components together to produce such a system is often difficult, time-consuming and expensive,''
Ballmer said. ''We're striving to make this process easier and more cost-effective for customers by
developing the comprehensive new Windows DNA for Manufacturing architecture, which will help
combine the Windows platform, various leading line-of-business applications and legacy solutions to
create manufacturing-specific 'digital nervous systems.'''
Ballmer went on to cite recent predictions from a leading industry analyst firm, AMR Research. The
firm's preliminary 1998 estimate of the manufacturing execution systems (MES) market was nearly
$300 million, of which Windows NT® operating system-based products led with 49 percent. AMR
Research also anticipates that over the next several years, Microsoft will continue to make advances
in the enterprise applications customer segment. AMR Research expects that by 2002, two-thirds
(66 percent) of all ERP shipments, an integral part of the manufacturing process, will be made on
Windows NT.
Windows DNA for Manufacturing is being developed and supported by industry-leading
developers, hardware vendors and systems integrators. These include Aspen Technology, Camstar
Systems Inc., Cincom Systems Inc., Compaq Computer Corp., Ernst & Young, Honeywell Inc.,
ICONICS Inc., Intellution Inc., Macola Software, Marcam Solutions Inc., National Instruments,
OLE for Process Control (OPC), Rockwell Automation, SAP AG, Sequencia Corp., Siemens
Nixdorf Information Systems Inc., Symix Systems Inc., USDATA Corp. and Wonderware Corp.
To date, pieces of the framework have been successfully implemented at companies such as Ocean
Spray Cranberries and Gates Rubber Co.
''By utilizing the Windows DNA for Manufacturing architecture, we've been able to integrate all
aspects of our operations and reduce our development time by 30 percent to 50 percent,'' said Mike
Smith, national manufacturing systems manager of Ocean Spray. ''We think the Windows platform
and Intellution's industrial automation software, coupled with technologies such as the SAP DCOM
Connector, provide us with a scalable foundation for expanding our application base and growing
our business globally.''
The Windows DNA for Manufacturing framework relies on the Component Object Model (COM)
as its foundation and acts as common ''plumbing'' in Microsoft® Windows-based manufacturing
applications, making them compatible with disparate applications, networks and legacy systems.
Representing an integrated approach for building distributed, scalable, multitier applications, the
Windows DNA for Manufacturing framework allows developers and manufacturers to focus on
producing and implementing value-added business solutions rather than systems integration.
Windows DNA for Manufacturing links islands of information within a manufacturing environment,
improving information flow and bridging the gaps between enterprise applications as well as supply
chain business partners.
''Windows DNA for Manufacturing complements the open SAP Business Framework very well. By
using the SAP business-oriented application programming interfaces (BAPIs) and COM as a
technical interface method, other independent software vendors (ISV) can integrate and interoperate
with SAP software efficiently and easily,'' said Heinz Roggenkemper, executive vice president of
development for SAP Labs. ''For manufacturers, this results in reduced time to deploy and
continually improve business processes.''
''Ernst & Young is excited to be a part of the Windows DNA for Manufacturing launch,'' said Kevin
Mahanay, Ernst & Young partner for the manufacturing sector. ''We're looking forward to
combining our business process expertise with the Windows DNA for Manufacturing architecture
and technologies to help our customers achieve measurable and substantial manufacturing benefits.''
Windows DNA is the application development model for the Windows platform. It specifies how to
develop robust, scalable, distributed applications using the Windows platform, extend existing data
and external applications to support the Internet, and support a wide range of client devices
maximizing the reach of an application. The Windows DNA architecture enables ISVs and
organizations to solve industry-specific challenges, while lowering costs associated with deploying
and managing information technology systems.
''We are pleased to launch our newest ERP suite, SyteCentre, at the Windows DNA for
Manufacturing event,'' said Stephen A. Sasser, president and CEO, Symix. ''Built exclusively with
Microsoft tools, SyteCentre delivers the benefits of DNA today.''
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The
company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed
with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full
power of personal computing every day.
NOTE: Microsoft, Windows and Windows NT are either registered trademarks or trademarks of
Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. Other product and company names
herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. |
