October 12, 1999 - Valor Computerized Systems, a global leader in DFM Solutions, today announced that ODB++ will be extended to conform with the new XML Internet standard. ODB++ is the de facto industry standard for electronic data transfer. Developed by Valor, ODB++ provides a comprehensive, non-ambiguous and optimal way for data transfer between electronic design and manufacturing. By combining the power and comprehensiveness of ODB++ with XML, Valor once again brings a whole new realm of possibilities for connectivity and openness.

The global outsourcing revolution, which touches every corner of the Valor’s well known Triangle of Success (PCB Design, Fabrication and Assembly), demands quick adaptation to new technologies. As the outsourced electronics manufacturing industry adopts the Internet as the backbone for future supply-chain management processes, XML is universally recognized as the language of choice for Business to Business (B2B) applications. XML is backed by software giants such as IBM, Microsoft, Netscape and Sun, as well as by standard bodies such as the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium).

For years the PCB industry suffered the problems inherent to inefficient data exchange. PCB designers had no way of accurately checking their designs for manufacturability. Manufacturers struggled to optimize incomplete, low-level data, through time-consuming, error-prone manual processes. The result was numerous revision spins and longer than necessary cycle-times. Valor changed all this with the introduction of ODB++, the intelligent data exchange format, and a full ODB++ productivity tool suite which includes Enterprise 3000, the world's leading DFM review and manufacturing simulation tool for OEMs, Trilogy 5000, an innovative pre-production engineering system for assembly operations and Genesis 2000, a leading edge tool for PCB Fabrication.

Moshik Kovarsky, VP New Technologies at Valor says, "As the electronic industry moves towards a design anywhere-build anywhere business model, B2B applications and services are becoming prevalent. It is crucial that ODB++, the industry's preferred solution for data exchange, supports the Internet business language. XML is the uncontested standard for Internet data transfer and modeling ODB++ according to the XML syntax is a natural progression for a company like Valor. The pairing of the two extends the reach of ODB++ to serve supply-chain management, with the added bonus of a web-compatible resource which integrates the technical and procurement business processes."

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