Orlando, Fla.—Software vendors serving automation and control through enterprise resource planning (ERP) emphasized information integration as the next big area for productivity gains, at IMS Expo 1999, April 26-29, organized by ISA (Research Triangle Park, N.C.). ABB, having reorganized related-company brands under ABB Automation, will continue product line support despite eliminating the Elsag-Bailey name. ABB's first integrated product from the acquistion is AdvaBatch scalable batch processing software on the Freelance 2000 Compact Control System. Foxboro introduced a pre-integrated suite of scalable batch automation components called I/A Series Batch Suite. Several companies announced initiatives in the "middleware" area, linking and enhancing information between automation/control and ERP: Hewlett-Packard announced extended capabilities of HP Enterprise Link; and Sun Microsystems debuted the "manufacturing.com" middleware deployment of its SunConnect architecture. Honeywell Hi-Spec Solutions introduced the web-based EHM Virtual Testing suite to maximize a wide range of plant operations. Drawings of automation done with Visio Technical can be turned into human-machine interfaces with DataViews Corp.'s HMI-Go software, due in 3Q99.