Kepware is Named as Technology Partner
for Itron Inc., a Winner of Managing Automation's 2008 Progressive
Manufacturing 50 Award
RELEASE: Portland, ME June 23,
2008 — Kepware Technologies,
the leader in Communications for Automation, announced today
that it was selected as a technology partner for Itron Inc.,
a winner of the fourth annual Progressive Manufacturing 50 Awards,
presented by Managing Automation, a Thomas Publishing Company,
LLC media brand.
The Progressive Manufacturing 50 Awards Program recognizes 50 projects that have
leveraged technology to create business value in at least one of the eight core
disciplines defined by Managing Automation as critical to business success in the
years ahead. These disciplines include: Business Model Mastery, Customer Mastery,
Supply Network Mastery, Data & Integration Mastery, Innovation Mastery, Training & Education
Mastery, Leadership and Operational Excellence. Project nominations were reviewed
by an independent judging panel chaired by David Brousell, Editor-in-Chief, Managing
Automation. Judges included Lisa Bodell, CEO, FutureThink; Bill Canis, Vice President
for Research and Innovation, The Manufacturing Institute at the National Association
of Manufacturers; Douglas A. Engel, Former Vice Chairman and Manufacturing Industry
Practice Leader, Deloitte; Chris Knuffman, Lean Manufacturing Champion, Quincy
Compressor (2006 Award Winner); Larry Lapide, Ph.D., Director, Demand Management,
MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics; Paul E. Martin, Global Chief Information
Officer, Rexam Plc (2005 Award Winner); Bruce McKay, Executive Vice President,
Livingston & Haven (2007 Progressive Manufacturer of the Year); Scott Mingus,
Global Director, New Project Development, Glatfelter (2007 Award Winner); Eric
Middelstadt, CEO, The National Council of Advanced Manufacturing (NACFAM); James
A. Robbins, Partner, Accenture Industrial Equipment Practice; Maureen Steinwall,
President, Steinwall Inc. (2006 Award Winner); and Steven Vidakovic, Ph.D., Technology
and Knowledge Integration, Global Supply Chain, Pfizer Inc. (2007 Award Winner).
Judges evaluated and scored nominated projects based on the following criteria:
project scope, business impact, customer impact, technology use and scale. Progressive
Manufacturing 50 winners were the companies receiving the highest total scores
in their respective categories. Technology Partner Winners are those companies
that played a significant role in enabling the Progressive Manufacturing award
winners.
"This new crop of Progressive Manufacturing winners reflects the amazing creativity
and determination alive today in the manufacturing community," said David
R. Brousell, Editor-in-Chief of Managing Automation. "These companies are
taking bold steps to rethink their business models and processes, their relationships
with customers and partners, and to create new advantages for themselves in business
speed and value. In doing so, they are positioning their organizations for greater
success now and in the years ahead."
"Kepware is proud to have been chosen as Progressive Manufacturing Technology Partner
by Itron Inc. the world's leading manufacturer of solid-state meters — electricity,
water, gas and heat," says Roy Kok, VP of Sales and Marketing for Kepware. "Being
highlighted as a significant reason for their success and winning the Technology
award from Managing Automation is a real testament to the value we deliver. We
know our products have a significant impact in the world and it is very rewarding
to have a company like Itron Inc. validate our feelings and highlight us in such
a public forum."
The Progressive Manufacturing 50 award winners and Technology Partners were honored
and presented with their awards at the 2008 Progressive Manufacturing Summit, June
12 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas.
President of Kepware Technologies, Corson Ellis -
(third from the left) Accepts The Progressive Manufacturing Award.
"We looked forward to recognizing and celebrating our winners in front of an audience
of their peers, across all facets of manufacturing, at the Progressive Manufacturing
Summit in Las Vegas," said Managing Automation Publisher Heather Mikisch. "Winning
this award is a tremendous honor that not only helps these manufacturers demonstrate
their progress and success in the marketplace, but also sets them apart from the
competition."
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. Applications include M2M (Machine
to Machine) and M2C (Machine to Computer) communications. Operating system support
includes; Microsoft Windows Desktop, Windows Server and Windows Embedded (Windows
CE and Windows Embedded NT/XP). Today, with over 130 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
ABOUT MANAGING AUTOMATION: Managing Automation, published by Thomas Publishing
Company, LLC, provides a complete set of decision-support informational tools for
progressive manufacturers – companies who are using information and automation
technologies to transform their businesses and create a sustainable competitive
advantage. Its monthly magazine, website, information technology comparison and
match database, and executive conferences reach the entire integrated technology
buying team – executives, line-of-business managers and IT management – at every
stage of the technology buying process. Additional information can be found at
www.managingautomation.com.
All product and company names listed are trademarks or trade
names of their respective companies.
Kepware Media Contact:
Roy Kok
V.P. Sales and Marketing
Kepware
207-775-1660 x253 roy.kok@kepware.com
