Update on Wonderware's website: tight Microsoft/Wonderware technology link
This is from www.wonderware.com/products -> go to: 'technology'
I wrote about the tight Microsoft/Wonderware link some time ago; it is nice that Wonderware makes this interesting background clear on their website right now.
This is a recurring theme both for Wonderware and for TAVA, for long term penetration and growth in the Factory Floor market:
'Microsoft will evolve the infrastructure upon which we build industrial automation software that bridges the gap of information shared between the office and the factory. As a result, Wonderware will capitalize on Microsoft technologies to effect standard ways of exchanging data'
John
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'Technology Strategy
Wonderware's technology strategy has always been firmly in place: to leverage the appropriate technologies so that<Picture> we can produce software that is easy to use and that keeps the cost of ownership low for our customer base.
The strategy began with the Microsoft Windows platform. Wonderware pioneered the use of Windows on the factory floor. InTouch, introduced in 1989, gave customers an easy to use, graphical interface with a powerful graphics engine. InTouch quickly became the most popular MMI software in the world.
Wonderware has kept pace with the adoption of other leading edge technologies, too: DDE, NetDDE, OLE, ActiveX, DCOM and Java. And we've created some of our own. NetDDE was developed and then licensed to Microsoft, where it soon became an industry standard. As soon as OLE became available, we began working with it while others were just talking about it. We also were the first to demonstrate an OPC Server. And our IndustrialSQL Server component embraces and extends Microsoft SQL Server.
Wonderware is active on the committees involved in the creation of new standards such as OPC, Profibus, IEC-1131 and S88 batch standards. Today, all the components of FactorySuite 2000 are based on standards.
As we have adopted technologies and international standards, the functionality of our products has increased significantly. Wonderware has evolved from a provider of a standalone visualization product to a fully integrated suite of software components that is changing the definition of an entire market category - from a simple MMI to an integrated HMI system.
Looking ahead, we expect Microsoft will evolve the infrastructure upon which we build industrial automation software that bridges the gap of information shared between the office and the factory. As a result, Wonderware will capitalize on Microsoft technologies to effect standard ways of exchanging data, common interfaces with a similar look and feel that make it easy for the user to create applications, and are at the forefront in employing new technologies for ease of use.
Using standard software technology such as SQL, OLE, DCOM and Windows NT, FactorySuite will continue to grow in functionality. The same ease of use and connectivity that made InTouch popular continues with FactorySuite 2000. ' |
