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Microsoft
Launches Windows DNA for Manufacturing
Steve Ballmer Unveils Integration Architecture Initiative,
Announces Widespread Support From Industry-Leading Developers and Customers SEATTLE - Feb. 23, 1999 - Steve Ballmer, president of
Microsoft Corp., today launched a collaborative initiative with customers,
developers and manufacturers aimed at producing a technical architecture that
will reduce costs and simplify the process of deploying, integrating and
managing systems for manufacturing enterprises. The architecture, called Windows®
Distributed interNet Applications (Windows DNA) for Manufacturing, will allow
disparate manufacturing software applications to integrate seamlessly, enabling
a proficient information exchange among distributed solutions from the shop
floor and enterprise resource planning (ERP) processes. This integration will improve a manufacturer's ability to
gather, share and analyze key data elements and information throughout the
enterprise in real time, resulting in better, more proactive business decisions,
greater efficiency and reduced costs. "Integration is a major key to the success of deploying a
modern manufacturing system, but piecing the components together to produce such
a system is often difficult, time-consuming and expensive," Ballmer said.
"We're striving to make this process easier and more cost-effective for
customers by developing the comprehensive new Windows DNA for Manufacturing
architecture, which will help combine the Windows platform, various leading
line-of-business applications and legacy solutions to create
manufacturing-specific 'digital nervous systems.'" Ballmer went on to cite recent predictions from a leading
industry analyst firm, AMR Research. The firm's preliminary 1998 estimate of the
manufacturing execution systems (MES) market was nearly $300 million, of which
Windows NT® operating system-based products led with 49 percent. AMR
Research also anticipates that over the next several years, Microsoft will
continue to make advances in the enterprise applications customer segment. AMR
Research expects that by 2002, two-thirds (66 percent) of all ERP shipments, an
integral part of the manufacturing process, will be made on Windows NT. Windows DNA for Manufacturing is being developed and supported
by industry-leading developers, hardware vendors and systems integrators. These
include Aspen Technology, Camstar Systems Inc., Cincom Systems Inc., Compaq
Computer Corp., Ernst & Young, Honeywell Inc., ICONICS Inc., Intellution
Inc., Macola Software, Marcam Solutions Inc., National Instruments, OLE for
Process Control (OPC), Rockwell Automation, SAP AG, Sequencia Corp., Siemens
Nixdorf Information Systems Inc., Symix Systems Inc., USDATA Corp. and
Wonderware Corp. To date, pieces of the framework have been successfully
implemented at companies such as Ocean Spray Cranberries and Gates Rubber Co. "By utilizing the Windows DNA for Manufacturing
architecture, we've been able to integrate all aspects of our operations and
reduce our development time by 30 percent to The Windows DNA for Manufacturing framework relies on the
Component Object Model (COM) as its foundation and acts as common
"plumbing" in Microsoft® Windows-based manufacturing
applications, making them compatible with disparate applications, networks and
legacy systems. Representing an integrated approach for building distributed,
scalable, multitier applications, the Windows DNA for Manufacturing framework
allows developers and manufacturers to focus on producing and implementing
value-added business solutions rather than systems integration. Windows DNA for
Manufacturing links islands of information within a manufacturing environment,
improving information flow and bridging the gaps between enterprise applications
as well as supply chain business partners. "Windows DNA for Manufacturing complements the open SAP
Business Framework very well. By using the SAP business-oriented application
programming interfaces (BAPIs) and COM as a technical interface method, other
independent software vendors (ISV) can integrate and interoperate with SAP
software efficiently and easily," said Heinz Roggenkemper, executive vice
president of development for SAP Labs. "For manufacturers, this results in
reduced time to deploy and continually improve business processes." "Ernst & Young is excited to be a part of the Windows
DNA for Manufacturing launch," said Kevin Mahanay, Ernst & Young
partner for the manufacturing sector. "We're looking forward to combining
our business process expertise with the Windows DNA for Manufacturing
architecture and technologies to help our customers achieve measurable and
substantial manufacturing benefits." Windows DNA is the application development model for the
Windows platform. It specifies how to develop robust, scalable, distributed
applications using the Windows platform, extend existing data and external
applications to support the Internet, and support a wide range of client devices
maximizing the reach of an application. The Windows DNA architecture enables ISVs and organizations to solve industry-specific challenges,
while lowering costs associated with deploying and managing information
technology systems. "We are pleased to launch our newest ERP suite,
SyteCentre, at the Windows DNA for Manufacturing event," said Stephen A.
Sasser, president and CEO, Symix. "Built exclusively with Microsoft tools,
SyteCentre delivers the benefits of DNA today." About Microsoft Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the
worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide
range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with
the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage
of the full power of personal computing every day. Microsoft, Windows and Windows NT are either registered
trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other
countries. Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of
their respective owners. Copyright (C)
1998-1999 The Active Network. All rights reserved.
50 percent," said Mike Smith, national manufacturing systems manager of
Ocean Spray. "We think the Windows platform and Intellution's industrial
automation software, coupled with technologies such as the SAP DCOM Connector,
provide us with a scalable foundation for expanding our application base and
growing our business globally."
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