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DomesticSoft releases OPC™ Server for control networking standards

Mosfellsbaer, Iceland – March, 2001 – DomesticSoft in Iceland has developed a Windows-based server system for control networking standards. The system includes an OLE for Process Control™ Server (OPC™) that hides the underlying communication protocol from the application software, which interfaces with the OPC Server. This minimizes the application development cost and maximizes the reuse of code for different hardware setups. It eliminates the need for knowledge of the protocol when developing end-user applications. This software is intended to enable Internet-ready commercial control networks.

This first version of DomesticSoft's Server supports the CEBus® standard. It uses Domosys' CECom™ Power Line Modem to connect the Windows server with the CEBus compliant network. DomesticSoft intends to support most, if not all future protocols that will be run on the new Domosys U-Chip™. X-10 is also under consideration. The core of the system is the network server that functions as a gateway between the control network and conventional TCP/IP networks. In addition, it collects and maximizes the quality of environmental variables from the network (temperature, energy consumption, etc.). By polling network variables on a regular basis, it can generate alarms when communication is interrupted, or hardware fails. In addition, it guarantees secure delivery of control commands from the application software to the network nodes.

The OPC Server connects to the network server via conventional TCP/IP networks. The OPC Server can access many network servers simultaneously. This enables remote control and monitoring of multiple buildings from one central site over the Internet.

Included in the DomesticSoft's system is the network builder, which greatly simplifies and empowers control network setup, maintenance and debugging. No protocol knowledge is needed to setup simple or complex control networks. The network builder takes care of the underlying complexities of the protocol. The system installer allows for a user-friendly configuration of the network. The network builder supports the Plug & Play setup of new nodes.

Although mainly intended for commercial use, the system is also used as a cost effective, but powerful residential gateway in homes, running on an Internet-connected home PC. Homeowners use MS Excel or other similar software that they are familiar with to connect to the OPC Server for controlling and monitoring their home devices such as lights, energy consumption, etc.

OPC is an emerging software standard designed to provide business applications with easy and common access to commercial building variables. Traditionally, each software or application developer was required to write a custom interface, or server/driver, to exchange data with hardware field devices. OPC eliminates this requirement by defining a common, high performance interface that permits this work to be done once, and then to be easily reused by HMI, SCADA, control and custom applications.

The OPC specification, as maintained by the OPC Foundation, is a non-proprietary technical specification, and defines a set of standard interfaces based upon Microsoft's OLE/COM technology. With the use of Microsoft's OLE Automation technology, OPC can provide office applications with building data via local area networks, remote sites or the Internet.

OPC offers benefits to both end-users and hardware/software manufacturers, including:

Open connectivity: Users will be able to choose from a wider variety of building devices and client software, allowing a better use of best-of-breed applications.

High performance: By using the latest technologies such as "free-threading", OPC provides extremely high performance characteristics.

Improved vendor productivity: Because OPC is an open standard, software and hardware manufacturers will be able to devote less time to connectivity issues and more time to application issues, eliminating a significant amount of duplication in effort.

About DomesticSoft

DomesticSoft develops, publishes, and markets open interface and configuration software for building control and monitoring, as well as software for the new exciting home networking market, which includes software and documentation. It makes complex, hard-to-use technology accessible to millions of users who would otherwise not have the knowledge to use it. Founded in 2000, DomesticSoft Corporation is a privately held US corporation. DomesticSoft has research & development headquarters in Mosfellsbaer, Iceland, since the Icelandic market is an ideal experiment market for cutting-edge technology. It is among the top in the world in terms of penetration for process automation, personal computers and Internet technology. To learn more about DomesticSoft and its products and services, visit the company’s Web site at www.domesticsoft.com.

For more information contact:
Throstur Jonsson
Tel: +354-566-8598 (direct phone)
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About Domosys

Founded in 1994, Domosys Corporation is a leading provider of Power Line Communication (PLC) technology for the control networking market. Domosys' PLC technology transforms any stand-alone product into a device that can be controlled or monitored either locally or remotely over the Internet. Domosys is designing and manufacturing custom products for Original Equipment Manufacturers as well as marketing and selling generic products to system integrators. Domosys' products and solutions are used in a number of vertical markets such as but not limited to: Energy Management, Street lighting controls, Automatic Meter Reading (AMR), SCADA and Transportation.

Domosys Corporation is a privately held corporation based in Quebec City, Canada. To learn more about Domosys and its products and services, visit the company's Web site at www.domosys.com

For more information contact:
Bernardino Camba
Sales & Marketing Director
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Telephone: +1 (418) 681-8022 ext. 226