Wonderware InControl PC-Based Software System Introduced For "Open" Control of Manufacturing & Process Applications.

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 10, 1996--Wonderware(r) Corporation (NASDAQ: WNDR) has introduced the Wonderware InControl(tm) PC-based software system designed for "soft" control of virtually any industrial automation operation, including discrete manufacturing, batch and continuous processing applications.

InControl is designed to provide a complete "open" architecture control solution, allowing users to replace proprietary programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and bring the power and flexibility of the Microsoft Windows NT operating system to the factory floor. It's considered open because it runs on any Intel-based platform that uses the Windows NT operating system including flat panel industrial workstations, open controllers, and personal computers (PCs).

"Unlike other control software that tends to be specific to a single type of application or control implementation, InControl is intended for use in any automation application, including motion control," explained David Emery, Wonderware product manager.

"InControl provides universal connectivity to plant floor devices, sensors, computer networks and open device networks such as Profibus, DeviceNet, Interbus-S and FieldBus," Emery said. "It's a giant step forward from closed to open systems because, for the first time, a software system allows incorporation or replacement of virtually all proprietary protocols with fully open, Windows-based standards.

"For example, InControl can connect to legacy input/output (I/O) systems via PC scanner boards, such as GE 90/30 and AB 1771 Remote I/O, as well as to the new open device protocols," continued Emery. "InControl supports definition and control solutions in a variety of internationally standardized languages such as RLL (relay ladder logic), SFC (sequential function chart) and ST (structured text) as defined by the IEC 1131-3 Standard. Solutions may be defined using any combination of the supported languages.

"It supports integrated multi-axis motion control applications, including programming code based on the RS-274D specification. And it enables the flow of all real-time data collected on the factory floor to anywhere else in the corporation because it supports TCP/IP as well as Internet and Intranet protocols via Wonderware's Internet products."

The new control software package is tightly integrated with the Wonderware InTouch(tm) human-machine interface (HMI) system so that it has the same look and feel as other members of the Wonderware Factory Suite(tm) of automation software systems --- and can even run on the same PC with the other applications. Importantly, users only need to define data tagnames once for an entire group of applications.

"This is a very important feature because it allows customers to merge HMI, control and other elements into user-definable Factory Automation Objects," Emery added. "They can seamlessly link third-party editors and development tools from a host of other suppliers as well as utilize the object linking and embedding (OLE) capabilities of the Windows NT operating system --- which lets users encapsulate control objects and function blocks as control modules.

"Third-party applications such as editors, I/O configuration tools and runtime facilities can even be launched from within InControl. And applications can be linked to any Windows-compliant application such as Microsoft's Excel spreadsheet, Access and SQL Server databases and Word document programs."

The new InControl product is scheduled to begin deliveries during the first quarter of 1997. Although final pricing has not been set, a complete development package is expected to have a U.S. list price of about $7,500.

Potential customers who wish to participate in the beta test program for InControl are encouraged to contact their local Wonderware distributor.

Wonderware Corporation is the leading independent supplier of Windows-based software for the industrial automation marketplace. The Wonderware Factory Suite(tm) of integrated application generation tools is changing the way people work. Founded in 1987, the company is based in Irvine, Calif., and has regional offices in the U.S., Europe, South America and Asia to provide support to its worldwide network of nearly 150 distributor offices. The company reported revenues of $30.8 million for the first half of 1996.

For more information, contact Matthew Stein, Public Relations, Wonderware Corporation, 100 Technology Drive, Irvine, Calif. 92718. Phone: [phone]. Fax: [phone]. E-mail: [e-mail]

Visit the Wonderware home page at: http://www.wonderware.com/

CONTACT: Wonderware Corporation

Matthew Stein, 714/727-3200