MDSI Signs a Multi-Year Development and License Agreement with Hurco

    ANN ARBOR, Mich.--May 8, 2001--Manufacturing Data Systems, Inc. (MDSI), a leader in Internet-enabled software computer numerical control (CNC) and software motion technology, today announced a multi-year product development and license agreement with Hurco Companies, Inc (Indianapolis, Indiana), a global manufacturer of software, computerized machine systems and industrial automation products.
    The multi-year agreement consists of a development agreement and a software license agreement. The development agreement will involve the integration of MDSI's OpenCNC(R) software as a core technology component onto Hurco's next generation patented open architecture software system. The multi-year software license agreement allows Hurco to use MDSI's OpenCNC(R) software on Hurco's next generation SmartNet(TM) product line.
    "The breadth of this commitment from Hurco -- multi-year, corporate-wide, and the integration of MDSI's technology onto Hurco's broad product line is a resounding endorsement of our OpenCNC(R) software technology," said James R. Fall, president and CEO, MDSI. "Our open, all-software architecture running on Microsoft(R) Windows(R) NT(R)/2000 gives Hurco flexibility to create new and unique automation products using open architecture software components. It will allow them to rapidly bring high value and new productivity solutions to their customers. We are very pleased to be part of Hurco's next generation product and technology strategy."
    MDSI's patented Significant Events(TM) real-time data technology in OpenCNC(R) software will be combined with Hurco's patented real time object-oriented software to provide the industry with high performance machining and the ability to gather and broadcast machine data throughout the manufacturing enterprise via the Internet. Access to machine data that can be pushed across a factory Intranet or the Internet gives Hurco the opportunity to offer additional services such as online support, online engineering, and remote machine and process diagnostics to its customers.