Kepware Introduces New Partner Programs for Hardware Vendors
RELEASE: Portland, ME April 7, 2008 Portland, ME – Kepware Technologies, the leader in Communications for Automation announced today that it has created two new Partner Programs, based on market demands. They are the Vendor Managed Protocol (VMP) program and the Vendor Endorsed Protocol (VEP) program.
The latest generation of Kepware's technology, KEPServerEX was designed to allow users to quickly set up communications from equipment to control systems via a wide range of available "plug-in" device drivers and components. KEPServerEX delivers over 130 protocols and connectivity to thousands of devices, and has set the standard in the support of OPC technology for Data Access.
These two new programs enable Hardware Vendors to leverage Kepware's Award Winning OPC and device communications architecture to deliver the very best device connectivity for their customers. With Vendor Managed Protocols, the hardware vendor will develop the Plug-in driver to KEPServerEX, under the training, support and QA of Kepware. In the case of the Vendor Endorsed Protocols, the hardware vendor shares their unique protocol information and feature requirements with Kepware to ensure that Kepware's engineering team develops the best solution for the vendor's needs. With both programs Kepware's internal engineering and quality control teams will make sure the resulting vendor protocols have successfully completed our rigorous testing procedures before being included in the KEPServerEX server offering. After release, vendor protocols will be available to all OEMs and resellers of Kepware technology and will be made available to Kepware's global customer base. Hardware vendors will also resell KEPServerEX with their Plug-in, in an OEM relationship with Kepware.
"In 2007, it became apparent that Kepware had reached a level of success in the market that delivers more than just Driver sales," said Roy Kok, VP of Sales and Marketing for Kepware."Kepware has become the ideal vehicle for delivering hardware connectivity throughout the automation industry,via its relationships with most software providers and their channels. If a hardware company wants to be sure their hardware works with the leading client applications on the market, then Kepware is the natural choice."
"Kepware has a solid architecture that goes far beyond device communications. Device manufacturers, that are investigating building or upgrading an OPC server for their hardware platforms, should investigate Kepware's partnership development program." said Thomas Burke, President of the OPC Foundation. "Kepware is the model the OPC Foundation uses for product quality and customer support. Partnering with Kepware for the vendors complete communication, OPC advanced functionality, and driver delivery is the best way for any hardware vendor to quickly deliver robust communications and have immediate connectivity with all the major HMI, SCADA, Historian, MES, and ERP applications in automation. While OPC is the common technology thread in all this, Kepware, with their model to support automation software OEMs, Channels and Direct Sales have created a value that hardware vendors can't find anywhere else."
"Kepware continues to make strong progress in developing a growing number of OEM relationships," according to Craig Resnick, Research Director, ARC Advisory Group. "In addition to their already extensive list, recent announcements of agreements with National Instruments, Control Microsystems, HP, and Oracle, as well as the resigning of a five-year agreement with Rockwell Automation, reaffirm that strong progress. In a briefing with ARC last fall, Kepware outlined their plans for continued growth in the automation market, including the expansion of their ability to be a leading vehicle for connectivity between automation hardware suppliers and automation software suppliers. End users and partnering suppliers will be able to leverage the field-proven connectivity solutions that Kepware is able to deliver as a result of these OEM relationships."
ABOUT KEPWARE: Kepware is the world leader in
communication software for automation and offers 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. Today, with 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)
All product and company names listed are trademarks or trade
names of their respective companies.
Kepware Media Contacts:
Roy Kok
V.P. Sales and Marketing
Kepware
207-775-1660 x253 roy.kok@kepware.com
