Kepware Endorses Software Toolbox as their Wonderware "Center of Excellence"

December 17, 2007, Portland, ME – Kepware, the world leader in communication software for automation, announces with its long standing partner Software Toolbox, the world leader in 3rd party add-in software for Wonderware products, the expansion of their relationship by naming Software Toolbox as their official "Center of Excellence" for supporting and promoting the use of Kepware OPC technology and native interfaces with Wonderware products. Software Toolbox has marketed and supported the TOP Server OPC & I/O Server, a branded version of the KEPServerEX, to their global customer base, with a specific focus on Wonderware distribution channels, users, integrators and OEMs. The "Center of Excellence" endorsement is designed to clearly let the market know how Kepware and Software Toolbox serve users of Wonderware with Kepware's OPC technology and Software Toolbox's Wonderware focused expertise and support.  To prevent confusion of TOP Server and KEPServerEX as competing solutions, the TOP Server branding will now include the tagline "Powered by Kepware".

The Top Server OPC & I/O Server incorporates the latest generation of Kepware's OPC server technology and, allows users to quickly setup communications from equipment to control systems using a wide range of available "plug-in" device drivers and components.  Software Toolbox has marketed and provided technical support for Kepware Technologies products since 1996, forming a partnership with Kepware in 2001, and creating the TOP Server brand to grow the presence of Kepware's technology in the Wonderware space. Software Toolbox, working with the global Wonderware distribution channel, has installed thousands of licenses with Wonderware InTouch, InSQL/Historian, and System Platform/Application Server, including major Wonderware users such as SAB Miller, Campbell Soup, Chevron/Texaco, Dow, and more. Software Toolbox's support of Wonderware includes application notes, videos, training, and a technical support team focused on the application of Kepware products with Wonderware software products. 

"The support team at Software Toolbox has proven to be highly competent and responsive to their clients and users should know that when they buy TOP Server, in addition to Software Toolbox's excellent support, they are getting the full backing of the Kepware team working in close partnership with the Wonderware experts at Software Toolbox," Says Roy Kok, VP of Marketing and Sales for Kepware Technologies . "TOP Server and KEPServerEX are identical from a technical standpoint and because Software Toolbox always releases TOP Server in step with KEPServerEX, users of TOP Server will have immediate access to our latest technologies. Additionally, the Software Toolbox development team has created products which add value to the TOP Server solution. Beyond demonstrating another level of technical competency this shows their commitment to this endeavor" he added.

"Many customers think TOP Server is a competing technology to KEPServerEX. This announcement clarifies that Software Toolbox and Kepware have been partners for years" said John Weber, President of Software Toolbox. He continues, "Software Toolbox offers a variety of connectivity products as well as graphical, wizard, and HMI object add-in products that enable it to offer a one-stop shop for 3rd party products for automation applications. Because we have a wide range of complementary offerings specific to the Wonderware market and other products that add-value to Kepware's products, we are ideally positioned to continue to focus on the Wonderware market for Kepware," 

"We have been aware of both Kepware's and Software Toolbox's product offerings and relationship for many years," says Craig Resnick, Research Director, ARC Advisory Group. "This is a move designed to make it clear to the marketplace that these two companies share the same technology and are not competitors. This move will help provide the marketplace with additional clarity and visibility regarding both Kepware and Software Toolbox, while allowing these companies to show support for each other's technologies and strengths. Although the OPC server technology offered by both Kepware and Software Toolbox is identical, these companies can now provide the marketplace with specific choices based on differences in available HMI/SCADA technology, add-ins and complementary offerings, product support, or user preference. Offering the marketplace a greater number of choices is a positive thing, which should ensure that this announcement will be well received."

About Kepware Technologies

Kepware is the world leader in communication software for automation and offers unique experience in both OPC and embedded device communications. Since its beginning in 1995, Kepware has focused on the development of communication drivers to automation controllers, I/O and field devices. Operating system support includes; Microsoft Windows Desktop, Windows Server and Windows Embedded (Windows CE and Windows Embedded NT/XP). Today, with well over 100 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 ensure 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". (http://www.kepware.com)

About Software Toolbox

Software Toolbox was founded in 1996 in Charlotte, NC and has helped over 10,000 users, integrators, and OEMs in 90 countries maximize their industrial software results by providing software add-ins, development components, and software applications that enable them to maximize their industrial automation software results. Software Toolbox's products add functionality, improve connectivity, enhance the engineering and user experience, reduce development time, and improve overall results with every major HMI/SCADA software application in the industry and enable Microsoft Visual Studio developers to access and visualize plant floor data. Software Toolbox also licenses numerous technologies to many major software suppliers in the automation industry to help them maximize the value they deliver to their clients. Software Toolbox has been a Wonderware Certified ISV since 1996. Software Toolbox has been an active member of the OPC Foundation and the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA) since 1997. (http://www.softwaretoolbox.com)