The Gateway

February 2003

Volume 1, Number 1

Software Services and System Solutions for the Enterprise

Version 3.0 integrates latest technology into both the server and agent.

“Matrikon is the world's largest manufacturer, leader, and developer of OPC interfaces, servers and tools.”

Welcome to The Gateway, a monthly newsletter highlighting products, services, customers and partners of TheS4Group, Inc. The purpose of this monthly newsletter is to provide information on Enterprise Management technology and the integration of non-It systems into enterprise environments.

Introducing TheS4Group, Inc.

In January, 2002 The S4 Group, Inc. was formed with a charter to address the complex challenges associated with integrating legacy Building Automation Systems (BAS), Industrial Ethernet, Process Control, Factory Automation and Industrial Automation Systems into large enterprise customer IT network, factory floor  systems, management, and security environments, and to each other.

It's a well known fact that you can't be an expert in every discipline and every application. The keys to success are to know when and where subject matter experts need to be included in a project team, have relationships pre-arranged so that they can be called upon quickly and reliably when needed, and have the organizational skills to focus and manage those resources to success.

The S4 Group, Inc. has relationships with specialists in the Video, Network and Systems Management, SNMP protocols, OLE for Process Control (OPC) Servers and Johnson Controls, Inc. Metasys^® and Siemens Apogee^® Building Automation Systems, Industrial Ethernet, and Human Machine Interface (HMI) areas.  We are working diligently towards expanding these agreements so that we can effectively utilize them in delivering services and solutions to our customers.

View the Enterprise Integration Value Proposition (HTML Format)

(Note: Firewall settings may impact this presentation's ability to display properly on your browser.)

View the Enterprise Integration Value Proposition (PowerPoint Format)

 Klaus Obermeier, President of Obermeier software, located in Verl, Germany, reports that the final testing of the SNMP OPC Gateway version 3.0 is progressing on schedule. The Obermeier software SNMP OPC Gateway is the most fully featured SNMP product family available for the OPC (OLE for Process Control) environment. This release introduces the SNMP-OPC Server and the OPC-SNMP Enterprise Agent as separate members of the product family. Click here to view an on-line presentation highlighting the SNMP OPC Gateway SNMP-OPC Server and OPC SNMP Enterprise Agent capabilities.

In North America, The S4Group, Inc. is the exclusive distributor of Obermeier software products. Steven Jones, Managing Partner of The S4Group commented, “Version 3.0 of the Obermeier software is truly an enterprise ready software product. We are anticipating an early April availability of the new release and will formally announce the date in Mid March. ”

More information on the SNMP-OPC Gateway can be found here.

The S4 Group and Matrikon have recently formed an alliance that allows for a truly seamless integration of non-IT systems into OPC based SCADA systems.  Matrikon is the world's largest manufacturer, leader, and developer of OPC interfaces, servers and tools.  OPC (OLE for Process Control) Technology standardizes the transfer of real-time and historical data.  OPC based solutions are no longer tied to proprietary systems and are free to connect almost any device to an OPC application.  With in-depth knowledge of OPC technology and over a decade of experience, Matrikon has recently partnered with The S4 Group to offer the best industry solutions possible.

Using Matrikon's OPC Data Manager (ODM), The S4 Group is able to bridge communication between different OPC servers.  It is here where The S4 Group can achieve the true connectivity required to deliver solutions based on Obermeier's family of enterprise integration products.  The Matrikon OPC Data Manager (ODM) and S4 Group solution is ready for you today!

Careful partnering increases the value of the solution to the customer.

Intelligent buildings are right around the corner.

Please send comments or submissions to:

The S4 Group, Inc.

6203 N. Bayridge Ave.

Ogden, UT

84401

Phone:

(801) 621 1970

E-mail:

nsjones@thes4group.com

www.thes4group.com

Strategic Partnership Opportunity

Partnerships are the lifeblood of any successful organization. The S4 Group, Inc. strives to form mutually beneficial long term partnerships with customers, suppliers, and industry organizations. The S4 Group, Inc proactively looks for new  partners who’s services are complimentary  to the services offered by the S4Group and who share the same values of customer service and ethical business practices as the S4Group, Inc.

Please visit our web site and search the strategic partners page www.thes4group.com to identify the benefits of the program and look at the partners currently enrolled in the program.

The S4 Group will be attending both of these industry events. If you would like to meet with the S4 Group staff, please contact us prior to the event and we will set up an appointment during these shows.

Johnson Controls, Inc. Controls Group has engaged The S4 Group, Inc. to provide management consulting services and technology guidance in supporting the revision process for the CSI MasterFomat specifications. The MasterFormat is used by most Architects, Design Engineering firms, and Consulting Engineers as the basis for documenting specifications for all new construction and major building renovation projects

The S4 Group is applying its expertise in systems integration and enterprise systems management to defining the framework for a Facility-wide Monitoring, Automation, and Control System facilitating the implementation of Intelligent Buildings.

For more information about the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and details on the MasterFormat revision process please visit http://www.csinet.org.

New S4Group Services Offering

Do You want to lower you personal or business telecommunications costs? Contact Nancy S. Jones for details about a new service we offer to lower these costs.

About The Gateway

The Gateway will be distributed on a monthly basis. You can view previous issues, news items and press releases at S4 Group News.

Please share The Gateway with colleagues and associates. Add them to the e-mail list on the The S4 Group home page at www.thes4group.com