One of the easy-to-use human-machine interface (HMI) software packages for industrial automation, InTouch 7.11 from Wonderware, a unit of Invensys Software Systems in Irvine, Calif., is the first to support Microsoft's Professional version of Windows XP. Windows XP is the fastest Windows operating system to date and features distributed computing and standardsbased security. It is built on proven code from Windows NT and Windows 2000, but with a simplified user interface. Tests show that XP also offers faster start-ups, better run-time performance and superior memory management.
"Having InTouch support Windows XP lets Wonderware customers take advantage of the latest capabilities provided by Microsoft on the most stable and best performing Windows operating system," says Steve Lewarne of Wonderware. This support will help speed acceptance of the new operating system in the industrial automation market, in turn encouraging others to add support for the OS in their products. This ultimately gives customers improved options, both in quantity and quality."