Kepware is Delivering an OPC Toolkit that Isn’t

Delivering Patent-Pending, Proven OPC and Native Interoperability that Anyone Can Use

Portland, ME, September 8, 2009 – Kepware Technologies, the leader in Communications for Automation, announced today the upcoming release of a Patent-pending Interoperability Solution tailored to the mass market of System Integrators, OEMs and End Users.

KEPServerEX, the most widely used communication solution for automation, delivers a powerful set of Client interfaces, ranging from the latest OPC Standards, to Native Interfaces; Certified, Tested and Proven with most software applications in the automation market. These Client Interfaces can now be leveraged by any developer.

Kepware has developed a new Interface to KEPServerEX called CID (Custom Interface Driver). CID is the ideal solution to quickly and easily add proven interoperability to any custom integration projects, from small applications with one deployment, to the delivery of professional solutions and products packaged for deployment industry wide. Typical applications include the development of Custom Drivers - to interface with proprietary or legacy systems, and to interface with existing applications – enabling them with industry leading OPC and Native connectivity to leading third party software solutions.

There are no developer kits or tools to purchase or learn for the development of CID Applications. Kepware is providing Sample Code, available in the form of C++ and C# Reference Implementations. The User’s CID Application is simply responsible creating a shared memory interface and an XML Definition File - enabling KEPServerEX auto-configuration for the Tags and operations desired for interoperability. Kepware’s KEPServerEX does the rest.

This product will be available in October, as part of the KEPServerEX 5.1 release. Kepware is looking for early adopters and will be creating a CID Solution Directory, to market CID Compliant Products to Kepware Customers, System Integrators and OEMs.

“Until now, customers wanting interoperability were forced to spend money and invest significant time on developer kits,” explained Tony Paine, CTO and Executive VP of Kepware Technologies. “This interface leverages the most basic software development techniques, and enables our customers to make use of all of our standard client interfaces, including OPC, OPC-UA (future), and Native OEM interfaces. We believe this development will reduce the need to purchase toolkits for all but the most custom and complicated product developments.”

“Kepware has been known for its quality support for OPC Standards,” stated Thomas Burke, President of the OPC Foundation. “As the leading supplier of OPC to our industry, their novel approach to delivering interoperability by leveraging their standard product instantly removes the need for interoperability testing. Kepware maintains the interoperability with third party vendors for you. A very elegant idea!”

“OPC has an extensive, proven, field-tested installed base for automation interoperability and communications applications, with OPC-UA presenting the next challenge to extend that connectivity to the enterprise,” according to Craig Resnick, Research Director, ARC Advisory Group. “KEPServerEX’s CID product appears to address this challenge by delivering a unique method for OEMs, System Integrators and End Users to integrate their custom solutions with other standards-based products, leveraging Kepware’s existing long list of partners and its field-proven and certified technology. KEPServerEX’s CID product should provide assurance to the OEM, System Integrator and End User community that interoperability will be a non-issue for the current Kepware OPC and Native connectivity, and challenges that will come in the future.”

About Kepware
Kepware is the world leader in communication software for automation and offers a unique experience in both OPC and embedded device communications. Since 1995, Kepware has focused on the development of communication drivers to automation controllers, I/O and field devices, OEM Licensable communications and Licensable OPC Interoperability solutions. Applications include M2M (Machine to Machine) and M2E (Machine to Enterprise) communications. Operating system support includes; Microsoft Windows Desktop, Windows Server and Windows Embedded (Windows CE and Windows Embedded NT/XP). Today, with over 140 communication protocols, and through the efforts of our direct sales, distribution and embedded partners, Kepware is the leading provider of communications with annual shipments exceeding 100,000 units. Kepware’s responsiveness to customer needs and strong partnerships with other leading automation suppliers ensures that your next application will be a success. Ask around and you’ll hear why automation professionals everywhere consider Kepware Technologies "Automation’s Best Friend". www.kepware.com

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