Sun Announces Java Control and Automation Framework; Industry-Driven Process Brings Java Benefits to the Factory.

ANAHEIM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 8, 1997--At ISA TECH/97 today, Sun Microsystems Inc. announced the Java(TM) Control and Automation Framework (JCAF), an industry-driven initiative to bring innovative implementations of Java technology to the process control and automation industry.

JCAF, a marketing and engineering initiative focused on technology adoption, pilot projects, and market education, expands the scope of the Java Automation API initiative announced at ISA `96.

Using the open, ubiquitous Java platform and the Java Control and Automation Framework, developers of process control applications can unite manufacturing sites with all other parts of a company's intranet. Java's "Write Once, Run Anywhere(TM)" model helps to lower costs by simplifying development, upgrading, and deployment of applications.

Another source of cost savings is the high degree of flexibility made possible by using the open Java platform. Manufacturers can run these applications on a vast range of systems, from embedded controllers to PCs to large servers and mainframes.

Innovation Drives Standardization

The goal of JCAF is to drive industry adoption of the Java environment in process control and industrial automation. New Java-based products from Cegelec, The Foxboro Company, Intuitive Technology, Inc., Schneider Automation, and Westinghouse Process Control Division attest to the momentum of the initiative.

"With this initiative, Sun's goal has been to listen to the market and drive technology adoption where there is a unique fit and need," commented Bob Atherton, Worldwide Manager of Process Control Market Development for Sun.

"Innovation and new Java product offerings have taken priority so far. Java's elegance and simplicity have expedited the process of developing pilots and products, so that our associates have been able to build applications quickly and get them into the hands of customers for review. This fast cycle time is critical to market impact.

"Now that Java products are out and customers are taking delivery, we're seeing interest shift towards standardization and the adoption of APIs relevant to process control and industrial automation," Atherton added.

"We're pleased with the results that the Java platform has given us in process control. We've developed a new product with Java, named WAVE, that has been very well received in all of our market segments," said Bob Yeager, manager strategic engineering at Westinghouse Process Control Division.

"We're planning to incorporate the Java Naming and Directory Interface(TM) specification into future versions of WAVE and other Java-enabled products to support additional cross-platform interoperability and plant floor integration for our control system customers."

How JCAF Works

Participants in the JCAF initiative work with Sun to identify areas for innovation suited to Java technology. The team jointly agrees to develop, code, and implement pilot projects in specific areas of factory functionality.

During the design phase, it is jointly determined where core Java APIs provide a unique solution to the factory floor requirement. When necessary, Sun works directly with the participants to further refine and specify extensions to the core APIs for process control and industrial automation.

Pilot projects currently under development with JCAF participants include: -0- Interoperability and Plant Navigation - Westinghouse PCD Device Management - Schneider Automation Batch Workflow Control - Genentech, Berlex Biosciences Real Time Device Control - Lawrence Livermore Laboratory Internet GUI Widgets for Process Control - Intuitive Technology -0-

Areas under discovery and being considered for future pilot projects include: -0- Continuous Process Control HMI Services Process Logic -0-

Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision, "The Network Is The Computer(TM)," has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc., (NASDAQ:SUNW), to its position as a leading provider of hardware, software and services for establishing enterprise-wide intranets and expanding the power of the Internet. With more than $8.5 billion in annual revenues, Sun can be found in more than 150 countries and on the WorldWide Web at http://www.sun.com . -0-

Note to Editors: Sun, the Sun logo, Sun Microsystems, Java, Write Once, Run Anywhere, Java Naming and Directory Interface, and "The Network Is The Computer" are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems Inc. in the United States and other countries.

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