MDSI Releases XML Standard for Publishing Manufacturing Production Data on the Internet

Makers of OpenCNC® software first in manufacturing industry to create open XML standard for publishing data from equipment

ANN ARBOR, MI—Manufacturing Data Systems, Inc. (MDSI), the leader in Internet-enabled software CNC and software motion technology, released an open standard today for the exchange of manufacturing data in XML (Extensible Mark-up Language) format. To ensure openness and interoperability from machine control to enterprise supply chain applications and to accelerate the adoption of Internet applications for the factory floor, MDSI is taking a leadership position in publishing an XML standard for production, maintenance and quality data. MDSI is the first technology company in the industrial motion market to define and publish an open XML standard for the publication and distribution of manufacturing data.

In addition, MDSI will be releasing an XML software application extension to the company's OpenCNC software CNC family of products, for the export of MDSI's patented Significant Events™ real-time machine data in an XML format.

The new MDSI-XML standard and MDSI product will be of particular interest to manufacturing information technology (IT) directors, who are under increasing pressure to capture and export manufacturing data from machine tools to support their supply chain strategies. In addition, SAP, SQL, Oracle, and other database managers or ERP applications managers who seek to import manufacturing data into their databases are also a market for the MDSI–XML standard. The MDSI open XML standard is available for downloading from MDSI's web site at this address: http://www.mdsi2.com/products/MDSI-XML.htm

XML format allows users to exchange data for presentation across the Internet in a more data-centric and detailed format than HTML text, which primarily specifies the look and feel of documents on a browser. XML, on the other hand, defines data content. Data exchanged in XML format is tagged and classified to optimize searches across platforms and for ready integration into other systems. The MDSI–XML standard specifies the element and format names to be used for the classification and exchange of production data from a machine tool.

MDSI, already holding a patent for the collection and distribution of real-time machine data across a network, is now leading the industry again with its XML application.

"We are setting the standard for the publishing of manufacturing production data," says James R. Fall, president and CEO, MDSI, "and with our new plug-in XML product which will be released the first half of 2001, we are greatly expanding the options available for data exchange in the manufacturing industry."

MDSI will incorporate industry feedback into the MDSI-XML standard on an ongoing basis. Those who wish to provide feedback may e-mail their suggestions to [email protected].

About MDSI

Manufacturing Data Systems, Inc. supplies web-based shrink-wrapped software motion control applications that increase manufacturing flexibility and enable agile manufacturing for the Computer Numerical Control (CNC), General Motion Control (GMC), and electronics equipment markets. The company's soft motion and soft CNC products reduce machine tool control costs, increase productivity, extend the productive life of machine tools, and leverage the Internet for real-time data collection and remote diagnostics. Unlike traditional hardware or proprietary-based motion controls, MDSI's soft motion solutions use no proprietary hardware or motion control cards.

Now running on over a thousand machines, MDSI’s foundation technology MDSI Motion™ provides a common and open control across virtually any kind of machine tool—from simple conveyors to five-axis machine tools, and from transfer lines to semiconductor fabrication equipment.

MDSI's business strategy emphasizes technological and price/performance leadership, hardware independence and comprehensive customer-support. The company's customers, spanning many industries, include Boeing, Caterpillar, Cessna Aircraft, Dana, Detroit Diesel, Emerson Electric, Ford Motor Company, General Electric, General Motors, Lockheed-Martin, Marconi Precision Aerostructures, Tecumseh Products Company, Teledyne, Textron, and Vickers. For more information, visit MDSI's web site at http://www.mdsi2.com.

MDSI, the MDSI logo, and OpenCNC are registered trademarks of Manufacturing Data Systems, Inc. Significant Events, MDSI Motion and OpenEvents are trademarks of Manufacturing Data Systems, Inc. Microsoft, Windows, Windows NT, Visual Basic, and Visual C++ are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.