American Auto-Matrix and Eutech Cybernetics Enter Strategic Partnership to Introduce New Technology to U.S. Market

Pittsburgh , Tuesday, October 06, 1998

American Auto-Matrix, a Pittsburgh-based manufacturer of building control systems, and Eutech Cybernetics, a Singapore-based software developer, entered into a strategic partnership today to introduce a new technology to the U.S. market that will simplify and connect all aspects of a building’s physical controls and office systems through a common software platform.

This new technology will be marketed globally by American Auto-Matrix as Auto-Pilot™, a unique product that will unite building systems control and everyday office control under a single umbrella. It utilizes Microsoft"Windows" compatibility to provide seamless interoperability of everyday functions.

As an example, an appointment can be scheduled using Microsoft Outlook for 6 p.m. and at the same time schedule the lights to be on in the conference room for that meeting. The seamless integration of features such as e-mail for alarm routing and voice recognition for control, as well as add-ons for office control such as facility maintenance, make this product stand alone in the industry.

The user-friendly graphical interface and the flexibility of this product further enhances American Auto-Matrix's "firsts" by providing customers Smart Building Solutions‘.

" The Auto-Pilot product will permit individuals to control all aspects of their work environment from the computer on their desk," said Bob Schwab, President of American Auto-Matrix.

" The software we have developed in partnership with American Auto-Matrix allows human beings – the best sensors in the world – to interact with their own building systems to control their work environment directly," said John Saliling, chief operating officer of Eutech Cybernetics.

" Everyone wants to make their job easier and more comfortable, and the computer is a tool that offers tremendous control," said Saliling. "Singapore is one of the most highly advanced computer-driven cities on Earth, and our experience there at Eutech Cybernetics has led us to the conclusion that the future of the world can be found in this common computer platform concept. The Auto-Pilot product brings it all under one system."

American Auto-Matrix – which historically has excelled in producing building control systems for clients worldwide - views the new strategic partnership with Eutech Cybernetics as an important component in achieving its growth objectives over the next three to four years, said Schwab.

The new Auto-Pilot product has the potential to bring American Auto-Matrix to the forefront of building control/office automation technology, based on the value it offers users. By operating from a common platform, users can use equipment already in place, a shorter learning curve is required, greater cost savings can be realized, and performance of the systems is enhanced.

Constructing a total building and office systems control network on a common computer platform is a somewhat revolutionary occurrence, said Chuck Farina, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for American Auto-Matrix.

"Our competitors have been tied to legacy technologies," Farina said. "There is a reluctance in our industry to move forward with new products that have not been developed entirely in-house. We are moving beyond that with this strategic partnership.

"American Auto-Matrix and Eutech Cybernetics are able to complement each other in ways that will benefit both organizations," said Schwab. "We bring 20 years of embedded controller solutions, and they bring nearly a decade of proven, hands-on software innovation. Through this partnership, both companies can continue to excel at their respective core technologies while offering each other added opportunities for business growth."

"We have always pushed for open standards in the building controls industry, to help users simplify their networks and upgrade them more easily," Schwab said. "With the new Auto-Pilot product, we are continuing our tradition of open systems architecture."

American Auto-Matrix will debut this product at the January 1999 meeting of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) in Chicago during the AHR Expo.