Applied Statistics, CIMNET, and Advanced Systems & Designs to Merge

CIMNET Inc. (Robesonia, PA), Applied Statistics, Inc. (ASI; St. Paul, MN), and Advanced Systems & Designs, Inc. (ASD; Troy, MI) have signed a letter of intent regarding the proposed merger of the three companies. The merger is conditional, pending execution of definitive agreements and approval by the boards of directors and stockholders of each company.

Together, the integrated portfolio from the three companies will include industrial production and quality management solutions such as Manufacturing Execution System (MES) factory floor management as well as real-time statistical process control (SPC) solutions to optimize manufacturing processes. These capabilities — which cater to the critical requirements of implementing quality standards and e-Business strategies — are imperative for manufacturing organizations that compete in the worldwide marketplace.

Integrating Products and Services
CIMNET provides configurable MES and distributed numerical control (DNC) products that are used in various environments including discrete manufacturing, food and beverage, and the consumer packaged goods industries. Both ASI and ASD offer real-time SPC solutions to the same industries for manufacturing quality control systems.

By integrating the ASI and ASD products and services, CIMNET will be able to offer a comprehensive portfolio. Moreover, the combined corporate resources will result in stronger customer services and support for the entire customer base.

"ASI and ASD bring a tremendous amount of expertise and background in quality and SPC solutions for manufacturing," explained John Richardson, CIMNET's CEO. "SPC is critical to the success of MES implementations, but the expertise in quality and real-time SPC was not available in-house at CIMNET. The addition of ASI and ASD will certainly fill that void, providing the leadership in quality and SPC solutions that our MES customers require."

CIMNET currently offers two configurable MES products, Folders and Infolink. The Folders MES software provides finite scheduling, document management, electronic data collection and distribution, DNC, labor and job tracking, monitoring, and reporting functions. Infolink contains extensive capabilities including lot tracking, downtime and waste monitoring, job queuing, online product specifications, and key performance indicators. Both products offer interfaces to ERP and control systems.

Providing real-time SPC solutions for global manufacturing organizations, Applied Statistics, Inc. software products include Applied Stats, Analyst, and Enterprise Monitor. Each delivers robust SPC data collection, control charts, operational alarms, analysis, database, and ERP system connectivity, with networked system management features and localized language capability.

In addition, ASI offers hardware connectivity products — MultiPort and MultiGage — which are designed to ensure reliable collection of real-time data from hundreds of industrial measuring devices and systems.

Other current products include an SAP/R3 certified QM-IDI interface for the Applied Stats package. In addition, the company plans a June 2000 release of the first set of SPC components using Microsoft's COM/DCOM ActiveX technology.

"ASI's expertise in device connectivity leads the SPC industry and we believe that our software is second to none in proven functionality," said Frank Voigt, president of ASI. "As manufacturing software providers begin to consolidate, leading companies must be able to integrate and deliver web-based, enterprise-wide solutions to global manufacturing problems. The combination of CIMNET, ASI, and ASD creates such a company with the financial strength and vision to be a leader in integrated MES, SPC, and quality management solutions for manufacturing enterprises. We will seek to continue to improve and integrate our product offerings and expand into related areas as opportunities develop."

Advanced Systems and Designs, Inc. provides SPC software and data collection hardware; it also offers system integration services. Its product line includes SPC1+ software, SmartCable and GageMux gage interface hardware, and ShopTouch touchscreen industrial PCs.

The company's newest products include the MicroGageMux, a two-port gage interface, and the PalmSPC, a data collection system based on the Palm platform.

"Ultimately, merging with CIMNET and ASI will benefit all of our customers," stated Paul Mychalowych, ASD president. "Our combined efforts, expertise, and products will create an industry leader in factory floor data collection and management systems. We have worked closely with CIMNET for several years and this merger is the next logical step."

The merger of these companies will allow them to collaborate on an integrated portfolio of MES and SPC solutions. The SPC solutions will be integrated with the next generation of CIMNET MES software currently under development. It's expected that this MES product will be the first configurable Web-based MES solution, which will help customers optimize manufacturing processes for e-Business.

About the Companies
Since 1984, CIMNET has been delivering paperless manufacturing and has more than 2,000 installations worldwide. The company main products, including Folders, SPCMaN, DocuMaN, and DNC Professional, are tools that enable manufacturers to have complete information control.

Established in 1986, Applied Statistics has been providing SPC software technology and device connectivity hardware solutions. It maintains more than 7,500 licenses of Applied Stats worldwide. The company first offered its SPC products on Macintosh systems, then delivered the first SPC software system for Windows in 1992. It became a Microsoft Certified Solution Provider in 1994 and launched the first 32-bit SPC software package in 1998.

Advanced Systems & Designs, Inc., which began in 1985, specializes in research and development of quality management software and hardware systems that optimize engineering and manufacturing operations. In 1990, ASD partnered with (and later acquired) Gage Connections, a provider of gage interface systems. The company provides all of the components needed for complete SPC solutions.

CIMNET Inc., Box 234, 946 West Penn Ave., Robesonia, PA 19551. Tel: 610-693-3114; Fax: 610-693-5927.

Applied Statistics, Inc., 2055 White Bear Ave., St. Paul, MN 55109. Tel: 651/748-5200 or 800-207-5631. Fax: 651-773-4930.

Advanced Systems & Designs, Inc., 1100 Owendale, Suite J, Troy, MI 48083. Tel: 248-689-4800; Fax: 248-689-8811.

Edited by Nancy Katz