Entivity Inks Agreement with Cognex for Integrating Vision with PC-based Automation and Control Software

Ann Arbor, MI - July 12, 2001 Entivity, the leading supplier of PC-based automation and control software, announced today that it has signed an agreement with Cognex, the world leader in machine vision systems, to establish a cooperative effort for the development and promotion of integrated PC-based control software and machine vision solutions.

The two companies will work together to specify and develop interfaces that will simplify the integration of Entivity's award-winning Studio family of automation and control software with Cognex's award-winning In-Sight family of machine vision sensors. Entivity and Cognex will also cooperate on the promotion and support of these integrated solutions in a variety of new markets and applications.

Entivity's Studio product integrates advanced control and information technology with Microsoft Visio 2000 to give users a complete automation software solution. Built-in enterprise connectivity, productivity analysis and transparent scalability across the full range of Microsoft Windows platforms dramatically accelerates automation implementation. Studio is a fully extensible open architecture automation and control software development platform.

"Entivity products are very successful in information-intensive applications and complex control applications incorporating sequential logic, motion and machine vision systems," said Ken Spenser, President and CEO of Entivity. "Tightly integrated advanced control and machine vision improves control of the entire manufacturing process for customers and system integrators across a number of industries."

"Our In-Sight machine vision sensors provide manufacturers with feedback about their product quality, process control, and machine productivity," said Dr. Robert Shillman, President of Cognex. "Entivity is a world leader in taking PC-based control into high-value, information intensive applications and is a natural partner for us."

"Working together to develop a seamless interface between our products will make machine vision easier and less expensive to deploy, and will accelerate the adoption of vision systems in a broad set of manufacturing applications," added Shillman.

In-Sight vision sensors are low-cost, high performance on-line inspection devices that are used to automatically measure parts, verify the correct assembly of products, identify parts, and guide production equipment. Ethernet communications are built into most models, enabling users to gather data to and from the image sensors and put it on the same network as Entivity's PC-based control logic functions, helping to speed the process of machine troubleshooting. Operator and maintenance personnel have the ability to check machine flow and vision status from any of Entivity's Visio powered HMIs on the line, and share vision results with all levels of the organization.

About Entivity

Entivity delivers software and web-enabled services that dramatically improve productivity in the development, deployment and operation of automated material handling and manufacturing systems. Unlike traditional automation suppliers with proprietary architectures, Entivity is focused on intuitive, open architecture solutions that readily integrate with hardware and software components from virtually all suppliers. Entivity's software and service products accelerate system implementation while closing the traditional gap between automation and information systems. For additional information, visit the Entivity web site at www.entivity.com or call 800-722-6875.

About Cognex

Cognex Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, and markets machine vision systems, or computers that can "see". Cognex is the world's leader in the machine vision industry, having shipped more than 150,000 machine vision systems, representing over $1 billion in cumulative revenue, since the company's founding in 1981. In addition to its corporate headquarters in Natick, Massachusetts, Cognex also has regional offices located throughout North America, Japan, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Visit Cognex on-line at http://www.cognex.com.