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OMAC Announces Pavilion Plan for ISA EXPO 2005

Research Triangle Park, NC (14 March 2005) - OMAC - The Open Modular Architecture Controls Users' Group, an ISA organization, announced today that it will be hosting a pavilion at ISA EXPO 2005, held 25-27 October 2005 in Chicago, Illinois. The pavilion will feature state-of-the-art technology and exhibits involving manufacturing infrastructure, packaging machinery, and machine control systems. It will complement several meetings and presentations that OMAC will be holding at ISA EXPO 2005.

"The addition of the OMAC Pavilion is a significant development for ISA EXPO. The technologies and exhibits that will be showcased in the pavilion add value for our attendees, and OMAC's overall goals of aiding industry in the successful development and application of automation technologies aligns perfectly with the goals and purpose of ISA EXPO and ISA as a society," said Jeff Hanson ISA EXPO 2005 Host Committee Chair.

OMAC was formed to create an organization through which companies could work together to: establish a repository of open architecture control requirements and operating experience from users, software developers, hardware builders and OEMs to satisfying common use requirements; collaborate with all World groups in pursuit of a common international set of standards; promote open architecture control development among control builders; and derive common solutions collectively for both technical and non-technical issues in the development, implementation, and commercialization of open architecture control technologies.

OMAC's recent merger with ISA--The Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Society spurred the development of a pavilion at ISA EXPO. OMAC Board Chair Andy McDonald of Unilever remarked of the merger, "OMAC has been blessed with the active participation of a dedicated group of volunteers from numerous end user companies, automation suppliers, and OEM's over its past eight years or so of informal existence. We are delighted that we are now affiliating with such a respected and established organization as ISA. It will help OMAC achieve even more success in establishing guidelines in areas such as packaging, computerized numerical control, and manufacturing architecture."

About ISA EXPO 2005

ISA EXPO 2005 is sponsored by ISA-The Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Society. ISA EXPO, North America's number one event for automation and control professionals is scheduled for 25-27 October at the McCormick Place Lakeside Center in Chicago, Illinois. With practitioners from over 70 countries, ISA EXPO features the largest and most comprehensive products and services exhibition, a cutting-edge technical conference, and an exceptional continuing education and training program. For more information about ISA EXPO 2005 or to register, go to www.isa.org/isaexpo2005 or call 919-549-8411.

EDITORS NOTE: Journalists and analysts are encouraged to attend ISA EXPO 2005 on a complimentary basis. To register for your press pass, email press@isa.org. Include your name, contact information and publication.

PHOTOS AND INTERVIEWS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST TO PRESS@ISA.ORG

About ISA

Founded in 1945, ISA (www.isa.org) is a leading, global, nonprofit organization that is setting the standard for automation by helping over 30,000 worldwide members and other professionals solve difficult technical problems, while enhancing their leadership and personal career capabilities. Based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, ISA develops standards; certifies industry professionals; provides education and training; publishes books and technical articles; and hosts the largest conference and exhibition for automation professionals in the Western Hemisphere. ISA is the founding sponsor of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org ).

About WBF

WBF provides an open forum for the exchange of information related to the management, operation, and automation of manufacturing processes.  Created in 1994, members of the non-profit, professional organization include end-users, vendors, consultants and academics.  WBF provides organization, management, and structure to facilitate networking among its members and sharing of knowledge and information related to manufacturing processes. WBF documents best practices and guidelines for implementation of standards that apply to batch control and the exchange of batch data, as well as conducting technical conferences and technical training programs. WBF is a founding charter member of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org).  More information about WBF is available at www.wbf.org .

About OMAC

OMAC–The Open Modular Architecture Controls Users’ Group (www.omac.org) is an affiliate organization of ISA- The Instrumentation, Systems and Automation Society- and works to collectively derive common solutions for both technical and non-technical issues in the development, implementation, and commercialization of open, modular architecture control (OMAC) technologies, and to facilitate the accelerated development and convergence of industry and government developed OMAC technology guidelines to one set that satisfies common use requirements. OMAC has about 500 member representatives from end-user companies, OEM's, and technology providers and integrator companies. OMAC currently operates three Work Groups: Packaging Machinery, Manufacturing Infrastructure, and Machine Tool. OMAC is a founding charter member of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org).