Omron and Rockwell Automation form strategic relationship

The relationship strategy is said to simplify the customers’ applications and improve the performance of industrial automation systems throughout the world. Kyoto, Japan-based Omron Corp. (U.S. HQ: Schaumburg, IL) and Rockwell Automation, part of Rockwell Intl. Corp. (Milwaukee) expect the move to promote common technologies and open standards that improve performance of customers’ industrial automation systems. Says Omron CEO Yoshio Tateisi, “Automation customers are expecting a broader, more capable, higher-performance offering from their automation providers, while at the same time expecting automation solutions based on open, interoperable standards. By combining our unique technical strengths and aligning our respective open automation architectures, both companies are working to insure interoperable solutions available anywhere in the world.” First, Rockwell Automation will provide significant technical assistance to Omron, resulting in rapid adaption of open standard technologies such as DeviceNet, ControlNet and the recently announced Ethernet/IP (Industrial Protocol) into the Omron automation architecture. The relationship will focus on technical coordination to benefit automation customers and to leverage both companies’ combined research investments. While further opportunities are being explored, Rockwell Automation and Omron will continue to operate independently in the automation market.