Chicago, Ill.—Two developers often are better than one. To deliver better Ethernet solutions, Schneider Automation (North Andover, Mass.) and Richard Hirschmann GmbH & Co. (Neckartenzlingen, Germany) recently formed a long-term, strategic partnership. The two companies signed a memo of understanding at the Schneider Electric exhibit during National Manufacturing Week (NMW).

"Ethernet technology, redundant topologies, and network management competencies from Hirschmann, combined with our knowledge of real-time I/O and field devices, will bring new high-performance Ethernet solutions to our customers," says Mark Fondl, Schneider's marketing vp. "In this case, one plus one equals much more than two."

The partnership is expected to help Schneider Automation implement its Transparent Factory architecture on the plant floor. Using Ethernet TCP/IP, Transparent Factory eliminates barriers to information flow among automation, manufacturing, and business systems and eases open communications in all Schneider Automation and partnering products.

Schneider Automation will brand-label Hirschmann switches, hubs, and redundant systems for high performance 100 Mb/sec Ethernet starting in fall 1999. Over the long term, the two firms will jointly develop high performance Ethernet solutions with real-time I/O and field devices; fast redundant systems; and embedded web servers and web-based management tools.

"We're pleased to find in Schneider Automation a partner that shares our vision of the high performance role Ethernet will play in the future of the industrial market," says Rainer Schenkyr, Hirschmann's network system division vp. "Transparent Factory and Hirschmann's Distributed Communication Architecture initiatives have a strong synergy, which in future collaborations will put our two companies in a favorable competitive position.

"By offering a comprehensive range of industrial Ethernet solutions to automation customers, the alliance formed by Schneider Automation and Hirschmann will produce powerful solutions for users worldwide."

For more information, visit www.controleng.com/freeinfo.