06/28/2004

Brooks Software, a division of Brooks Automation, Inc. (Nasdaq: BRKS) and provider of real-time (RT) applications for enterprises with collaborative, complex manufacturing operations, announced a solution agreement with HP that “brings together the global reach and expertise of HP and Brooks’ leading real time enterprise software to deliver world-class manufacturing solutions.”

Brooks offered the following details:

Under the global agreement, Brooks will work as an applications solutions provider with HP to provide high-performance adaptive manufacturing and enterprise performance management solutions. The combination of Brooks’ real time enterprise software and HP’s industry-leading server platforms and technology services strengthens Brooks’ global presence and further enables HP to meet the performance, reliability and adaptive manufacturing requirements of its customers. Brooks recently released products such as FACTORYworks, CELLworks and Xsite on the Itanium2-based HP Integrity platform.

Joe Bellini, senior vice-president of Brooks’ Software Systems Group, said, “The needs of flexible, adaptive manufacturing operations are driving the demand for the solutions offered by Brooks and HP. Manufacturers are now beginning to recognize that it is better to make decisions in real time rather than wait for the results of an ERP or supply chain planning run that quickly become invalid as soon as material begins moving through production. In addition, many manufacturers are now being required by government regulations to provide traceability reporting which can only be gathered through a real time applications infrastructure. Brooks has already solved most of these problems for the semiconductor industry, which is one of the most complex manufacturing environments in the world. Discrete manufacturers are now turning to Brooks to solve similar problems in industries such as semiconductor test & assembly, LCD manufacturing, medical device manufacturing, automotive, aerospace and defense manufacturing, as well as high tech. We are pleased to work with HP, who is recognized as a premier solutions provider, to bring these real time solutions to our customers.”

“By expanding our already strong relationship with Brooks, we add to our expertise and ability to deliver complete, proven solutions to our customers,” said Christian Verstraete, vice president, Manufacturing Practice, Technology Solutions Group, HP. “The depth and breadth of Brooks’ products and modern architecture complement HP’s focus on implementing Adaptive Enterprise solutions to meet the business challenges of our manufacturing customers.”

Brooks offers real time enterprise solutions that meet the needs of lean manufacturing, closed loop control, supply chain execution and enterprise performance management. HP sales and service staff have been trained and certified on Brooks products and solutions to deliver rapid and efficient implementations.