PRI Automation and Axeda Deliver First e-Diagnostics Prototype for Semiconductor Manufacturing to International SEMATECH
Prototype Offers Benefits to Chip Makers and Equipment Suppliers including Increased Uptime, Higher Productivity, and Reduced Costs
MANSFIELD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 13, 2002-- Axeda Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:XEDA - news), a provider of Device Relationship Management (DRM) software and services, announced today that PRI Automation, Inc. (NASDAQ:PRIA, TSE:PRJ), a global leader in semiconductor factory automation systems, software and services, and Axeda are the first to implement and demonstrate an e-Diagnostics prototype for International SEMATECH (ISMT). For the e-Diagnostics prototype, Axeda partnered with PRI to enable e-Diagnostics capabilities across PRI's TransFab(TM) line of semiconductor factory automation equipment. The prototype, leveraging the Axeda DRM(TM) Device Relationship Management System, demonstrated secure, real-time, Internet-based remote monitoring, diagnosis, and problem resolution for PRI material-handling equipment.
``The prototype is part of a larger effort aimed at accelerating semiconductor industry learning and adoption of e-Diagnostics by fabs and equipment suppliers around the world,'' said Harvey Wohlwend, International SEMATECH's e-Diagnostics program manager. ``Because of the support and active engagement of the supplier community, we hope to see revolutionary improvements in equipment productivity.''
According to ISMT, the global consortium of chip makers dedicated to improving semiconductor manufacturing technology, the cost of equipment downtime to a chip manufacturer can exceed $100,000 an hour. To address the issue of downtime, ISMT formed an e-Diagnostics working group with the objective of developing guidelines and encouraging commercialization of systems intended to provide open, Internet-based access for equipment suppliers to remotely monitor their equipment. ISMT also issued a request for proposal (RFP) to equipment suppliers for a prototype demonstrating e-Diagnostics capabilities. A proposal from PRI and Axeda was the first to be submitted, and the PRI and Axeda prototype was the first to be presented to ISMT. Member companies can request a report covering the prototype execution from ISMT.
``Partnering with PRI to successfully deliver the first e-Diagnostics prototype to ISMT validates our efforts and reinforces our mission going forward,'' said Robert M. Russell Jr., Axeda chairman and CEO. ``The prototype execution clearly showed the potential for e-Diagnostics to improve uptime, optimize preventive maintenance, and accelerate the repair of semiconductor manufacturing equipment. More than words, our prototype proved that Axeda DRM(TM) is a powerful and comprehensive e-Diagnostics solution for the semiconductor industry today.''
``PRI's systems are critical to our customers' ability to maintain semiconductor fab output,'' said Tom Mariano, vice president of factory management software at PRI Automation. ``Our prototyping efforts with Axeda and ISMT demonstrate our commitment to delivering e-Diagnostics capabilities to our customers. Together, we are now positioned to provide chip-making fabs around the world with tools to increase uptime, and improve productivity and service for semiconductor factory automation and manufacturing equipment.''
The Axeda DRM Device Relationship Management System is an enterprise software solution that bridges the gap between intelligent equipment and the enterprise. It is composed of distributed software products including Axeda Agents, Axeda Enterprise(TM) servers, Axeda Applications(TM), and Axeda Integrator(TM) software that work together to leverage the global reach of the Internet and provide the real-time, continuous exchange of information between equipment, business systems and people. Axeda DRM enables companies like PRI Automation to proactively monitor and service equipment remotely. Users inside and outside the fab can be notified of potential problems by e-mail and pager. In addition, Axeda Applications provide Web-based information access for users from anywhere in the world for remote device administration, desktop sharing, diagnostics and data visualization.
PRI's TransFab is the only unified automated material handling system spanning hardware, software and services. TransFab can provide semiconductor manufacturers with better productivity by reducing the number of wafer moves required in manufacturing, and can lower cost and increase system reliability by reducing the total amount of wafer-handling equipment required. Designed for the rigorous production environment of 300mm-wafer fabs, TransFab can also be used in 200mm-wafer fabs.
About Axeda
Formed from the union of eMation and RAVISENT Technologies, Axeda Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: XEDA - news) is an enterprise software and services company that helps businesses become more competitive by using the Internet to tap the value of real time information to optimize their service, development, sales and manufacturing operations. The company's flagship Axeda Device Relationship Management System is a distributed software solution that lets businesses monitor, manage and service intelligent devices deployed at remote sites. Axeda serves Global 2000 companies in multiple markets including Industrial and Building Automation, Technology, Medical Instrumentation, Office and Semiconductor Equipment industries through sales and service offices in the U.S., Europe, Israel and Japan, and distribution partners worldwide. More information about Axeda is available at www.axeda.com
About PRI Automation
PRI Automation, Inc., headquartered in Billerica, Massachusetts, is a leading global supplier of advanced factory automation systems, software, and services that optimize the productivity of semiconductor and precision electronics manufacturers as well as OEM process tool manufacturers. PRI is the only company to provide a tightly integrated and flexible hardware and software solution that optimizes the flow of products, data, materials, and resources throughout the production chain. The company has thousands of systems installed at approximately one hundred locations throughout the world. For more information visit PRI online at www.pria.com.
About Device Relationship Management
The intelligent devices that we see and interact with everyday such as copiers, elevators, vending machines, building control units, medical devices, and even automobiles represent an important new source of business information. To date most enterprises have not been able to tap this information. Device Relationship Management addresses this significant information blind spot by providing a distributed information management system that leverages the Internet, allowing timely, accurate, and unbiased information to be communicated automatically between remote devices deployed at customer facilities and external service personnel or enterprise business systems. Device Relationship Management helps turn reactive businesses into proactive businesses providing new sources of revenue and increased operational efficiency at lower costs with an ROI that can often be measured in months.
(c)2002 Axeda Systems. All rights reserved. Axeda, Axeda Systems, Axeda DRM, Axeda Integrator, Axeda Applications, Axeda Enterprise, and Access. Insight. In Real Time. are trademarks of Axeda Systems Inc. TransFab is a trademark of PRI Automation, Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
This press release call contains certain forward-looking statements, which are intended to be covered by the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Such statements are based on current expectations of future events that involve a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual events of future results to differ from those discussed herein. Such factors include, but are not limited to: Axeda's limited operating history; fluctuating quarterly operating results; uncertainties in the market for DRM products and the potential for growth in the pervasive computing market; present and future competition; Axeda's ability to manage technological change and respond to evolving industry standards; the ability to manage growth and attract and retain additional personnel; the long sales cycle for DRM products; limited distribution channels; the difficulty of protecting proprietary rights; the potential for defects in products; and risks from international operations. Investors are advised to read Axeda Systems' (formerly RAVISENT Technologies Inc.'s) Annual Report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and Forms 8-K and the company's proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly those sections entitled ``Factors Affecting Operating Results'' and ``Risk Factors'' for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this conference call. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or otherwise release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. |
