MDSI forms strategic partnership with TranSys to integrate ISaGRAF industrial control software into OpenCNC.

ANN ARBOR, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 22, 1997--Manufacturing Data Systems, Inc. (MDSI), manufacturer of factory automation products, announced today that it has formed a strategic partnership with TranSys, Inc., of Gilbert, Arizona, to integrate TranSys's ISaGRAF(R) Workbench for Windows(R) PLC logic editor with MDSI's OpenCNC(R) machine tool control software.

"The integration of the ISaGRAF Workbench is one more step in providing users and system integrators with maximum choice and flexibility," said Jim Fall, MDSI vice president of marketing. "It's a partnership of two international software companies, where both are industry leaders in providing software solutions for machine tool control. ISaGRAF is based on customer choice and so is OpenCNC -- together we offer tremendous flexibility and significant reduction in CNC control costs."

The ISaGRAF Workbench provides a complete implementation of all five of the IEC-1131-3 languages: sequential function chart, function block diagram, ladder diagram, structured text, and instruction list. With ISaGRAF, users can select the appropriate PLC language to define the I/O logic for the CNC machine tool.

MDSI's OpenCNC is the only production-proven, unbundled software-based CNC machine tool control on the market. Unlike traditional CNC controls, it uses no proprietary hardware or motion control cards, and it provides an open API to integrate third party software technology and products such as ISaGRAF.

Bob Lyons, executive vice president and managing director of TranSys, Inc., said the partnership between the two companies meets the manufacturing industry's criteria for open architecture -- providing hardware-independent software systems that are interchangeable and interoperable.

"We've been waiting for a product like OpenCNC for years," Lyons said. "This is the future of factory automation. You need to be able to plug and play everything, including the control system, to optimize costs and functionality. MDSI's product really demonstrates a deliverable system that is the embodiment of open architecture. You don't need a hardware-based PLC or CNC anymore."

ISaGRAF was developed by CJ International of Seyssins, France. CJ International was founded in 1990 by a team of software engineers specializing in the development of Computer Aided Software Engineering (CASE) tools that bridge the gap between microcomputer systems and PLCs. In 1994, TranSys, Inc. was established as a sister company to provide commercial, technical and engineering support for ISaGRAF in the Americas.

Manufacturing Data Systems, Inc. (MDSI) supplies factory automation products that bring hardware-independent CNC machine control software and open systems to the factory floor. MDSI's software allows manufacturers to integrate their factory processes enterprise-wide, including product design, production planning and information systems, for computer integrated manufacturing (CIM). The company's primary product is OpenCNC, an unbundled software-based CNC machine tool control that has been proven through more than 125,000 hours of production at several manufacturing sites. MDSI's business strategy emphasizes technological and price/performance leadership, hardware independence and comprehensive customer support. -0-

OpenCNC is a registered trademark of Manufacturing Data Systems, Inc. MDSI and the MDSI logo are trademarks of Manufacturing Data Systems, Inc. All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

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CONTACT: MDSI

James R. Fall, 313/769-9000, ext.220

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MWW/Savitt

Julie Quattro, 206/689-8505

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