North Andover, Mass. —Schneider Electric's Automation Business and Control.com announced Aug. 3 a web services-based partnership focusing on technical and marketing collaboration. According to the companies, the partnership seeks to build a basis for "truly open control" in the future. Schneider's Automation Business has agreed to acquire a 19% stake in Control.com.

"This partnership is a physical manifestation of our goal to support the end-user," says Alain Marbach, president and coo of Schneider Electric's Automation Business.

Control.com is driving the creation of an open source PLC to run under the Linux operating system, while Schneider Electric's Transparent Factory open automation architecture delivers a suite of web-enabled products that simplifies enterprise-wide information sharing.

The first users of Control.com were members of the automation forum, "The List," originated by Ken Crater, president of Control.com. This forum is now an integral web-enabled function of the Control.com site. Today, Control.com gives its audience of engineers and automation end-users more web options to interact, learn and advance professionally. According to Mr. Crater, "This investment [from Schneider Electric] is an exciting development from two perspectives: not only does it provide our new venture with the capital to grow through its early years, it also brings a strong ally with a proven commitment to open control." For more information, visit www.modicon.com , or www.controleng.com/freeinfo