Interest in Invensys' ArchestrA Industrial Software Architecture Growing with Beta Testers, SIs and OEMs.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 21, 2002

ISA 2002--

ArchestrA Architecture Takes Advantage of Microsoft .NET and Is

On-Track for Release to Manufacturing in December

Invensys plc, the international production technology and energy management group, today announced that interest in its ArchestrA(TM) architecture is increasing, and the architecture is on track for release to manufacturing in December. The comprehensive automation and information architecture has been developed over the last four years.

Following the introduction of the ArchestrA architecture at the September Invensys Showcase(TM) user conference, more than 80 beta testers, 15 systems integrators, 10 OEMs and six end-users have been examining the architecture with excellent results, according to Mark Davidson, Invensys vice president of ArchestrA marketing

"Beta testers report that applications running on the ArchestrA architecture are robust, highly functional and offer good performance," said Davidson. "In addition to these key indicators, significant applications engineering and productivity gains are being documented."

The ArchestrA architecture is entering its third and final round of beta testing as Invensys prepares for the December release to manufacturing. Invensys products designed to work in conjunction with this emerging architecture have been shipping since May 2002.

The first product to take full advantage of the ArchestrA architecture will be the Industrial Application Server, a new offering within Wonderware's FactorySuite A2 (squared)(TM) product line. The "A2 (squared)" designation indicates the ArchestrA architecture. The Industrial Application Server is expected to be available for purchase at the beginning of 2003. Foxboro's I/A Series A2 (squared)(TM) system also uses the ArchestrA architecture in its latest releases. Besides Wonderware and Foxboro, other Invensys companies developing solutions based on the ArchestrA architecture are APV, Esscor, Eurotherm and Invensys Building Systems.

In addition to being used for Invensys offerings, the ArchestrA open-development platform and tools uniquely enable third parties such as OEMs, machine builders and system integrators to build domain knowledge and add significant value to the solutions they provide. End-users and suppliers alike will benefit from this unified platform, which enables the instant integration of application information.

One major end-user currently beta testing the ArchestrA architecture is General Mills. "They are fully expecting the ArchestrA architecture to provide a common foundation for all Invensys solutions and to effectively integrate their existing base and third-party products," said Davidson.

"The ArchestrA architecture enables every system in an industrial plant to work in concert. It is designed from the outset to extend the life of legacy systems by leveraging the latest software technologies. Offerings built upon this architecture empower decision-makers to achieve their business goals, without abandoning prior investments in automation systems, production processes or intellectual property."

In the ArchestrA environment, software applications can be rapidly assembled rather than programmed. New applications also can be created simply through the reassembly of existing applications.

At ISA 2002, a tradeshow held in Chicago Oct. 21-24, Invensys will demonstrate and deliver presentations on this new automation and information architecture at the Microsoft booth (No. 1401). Invensys representatives plan to show how the ArchestrA architecture extends the life of legacy systems by leveraging the latest Microsoft(R) software technology, such as Microsoft .NET.

Don Richardson, director of Microsoft's Manufacturing Industry Solutions Group, said, "The ArchestrA architecture utilizes Microsoft .NET and other technologies such as Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Message Queuing and Microsoft Management Console, and further extends those technologies into the manufacturing industry. Invensys and Microsoft share a focus on increasing manufacturers' productivity and lowering their lifecycle costs by delivering value-added solutions to customers through our collaborative efforts."

About Invensys

Invensys plc is a global leader in production technology and energy management. The group helps customers to improve performance and profitability using innovative services and technologies and a deep understanding of industries and applications.

The Invensys Production Management businesses work closely with customers in order to drive up performance of production assets, maximize the return on investments in production technologies and remove cost and cash from the whole supply chain. The division includes APV, Avantis, Baan, Eurotherm, Foxboro, SIMSCI-Esscor, Triconex and Wonderware. These businesses address process and batch industries -- including the oil, gas and chemicals, food, beverage and personal healthcare -- and the discrete and hybrid manufacturing sectors.

Invensys Energy Management works with clients involved in the supply, measurement and consumption of energy and water, to reduce costs and waste and improve the efficiency, reliability and security of power supply. The division includes Energy Management Solutions, Appliance Controls, Climate Controls, Global Services, Metering Systems, Powerware and Home Control Systems. These businesses focus on markets connected with power and energy infrastructure for industrial, commercial and residential buildings.

The company also serves the specialized rail, wind-power and electronic manufacturing (power components) markets through Invensys Rail Systems, Hansen Transmissions and Lambda, respectively, in its development division.

Invensys operates in more than 80 countries, with its headquarters in London. For more information, visit www.invensys.com.

Invensys, ArchestrA, Invensys Showcase, FactorySuite A2(squared), I/A Series A2(squared), APV, Eurotherm, Foxboro, Triconex and Wonderware are trademarks of Invensys plc, its subsidiaries and affiliated companies. All other brands may be trademarks of their respective owners.