Hitachi Software Introduces PenAnalysis; Company Offers Market’s First Pen-Based Business Process Automation Tool

April 26, 1993 — Hitachi Software Engineering America, Ltd., (HISAL) today announce the world’s first pen- based business process automation product, the PenAnalysis(TM) Process Modeling system. This easy-to-use, portable system is used for business process analysis in computer-aided software engineering (CASE) environments. PenAnalysis comes in two different configurations, one for group interaction and one for individual operation. Based on advanced technologies such as diagram recognition software, digitizing white boards and pen-based computing, the system runs under the pen- based operating system PenPoint from GO Corporation.

With the PenAnalysis system, users can create and edit diagrams using pen-based computing tools. The system’s pen-centric user interface allows users to draw diagrams in a way that’s as natural as using pen and paper, yet far more powerful. PenAnalysis was designed to support the business analysis phase of software development, and to simplify the process of information gathering at both the group and individual level. User accessibility and rapid application development (RAD) are key benefits of the PenAnalysis system.

According to Toshi Sakasita, president of Hitachi Software Engineering America, “We wanted to extend the reach of CASE tools beyond the traditional application design engineering environment into the context of mainstream business. Our goal was to bridge the systems analysis gap that still exists between MIS and end-user departments within organizations today. To accomplish that, we recognized that we had to address the trend toward process automation.

“This product represents our first step toward the BPA market. As product life cycles shrink and global competition intensifies, companies around the world will continue to automate the business processes that drive their respective organizations. We think Hitachi Software’s PenAnalysis will play an important role in enhancing that process,” ex-plained Sakasita.

The PenAnalysis Process Modeling system is a front-end productivity tool that currently supports KnowledgeWare’s Application Development Workbench(TM) Analysis Workstation. In January of 1993, Hitachi Software conducted initial beta testing at KnowledgeWare’s Executive Briefing Center in Atlanta.

According to Donald P. Addington, president and chief operating officer at KnowledgeWare, “The combination of our Application Development Workbench and PenAnalysis should provide greater flexibility for systems analysts and end-users alike. Rather than using only a computer keyboard, users will be able to use this new pen-based technology during joint application development sessions to develop process models of their enterprises.”

PenAnalysis Offers Dynamic JAD and CASE-to-go.

PenAnalysis runs under the GO Corporation’s PenPoint operating system. According to William Campbell, president and chief executive officer of GO Corp., “We applaud Hitachi Software’s innovative use of the PenPoint operating system as a platform for its advanced business process automation tools.”

The PenAnalysis system translates hand-drawn diagrams into symbols and data flows to create data flow and decomposition diagrams. For instance, simple hand motions or commands called “gestures” allow users to copy, move, modify, and delete diagrams with ease. Comments and notes made directly on the screen or white board are saved with diagrams. All data is stored in a single, integrated database so information edited on one document is automatically updated on related documents and files.

Users can choose from two configurations, TabletStyle for one on-one design sessions, and MeetingStyle for group dynamics in joint application development sessions. MeetingStyle includes the PenAnalysis Process Modeling software running under PenPoint on a PC-compatible computer. Also included is a digitizing white board and LCD Overhead Projector Display. TabletStyle is highly portable, and consists of the PenAnalysis Software running under PenPoint on a pen-based computer.

PenAnalysis systems from Hitachi Software are currently shipping and are distributed through HISAL. Suggested retail prices range from $845 for the TabletStyle configuration to $25,495 for the complete MeetingStyle system.

Corporate Background.

Hitachi Software Engineering America, Ltd., based in San Bruno, markets and supports a variety of software-related products. The company currently markets biotechnology software and related hardware; business process automation software systems; and computer-aided-design (CAD) and geographic information system (GIS)-related software marketed by Information & Graphics Systems, Inc., an affiliate of Hitachi Software. HISAL is actively involved in fostering international software technology exchange and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi Software Engineering Co., Ltd., of Yokohama, Japan, one of the world’s largest software manufacturers.

Trademarks: PenAnalysis is a trademark of Hitachi Software Engineering Co., Ltd. PenPoint is a trademark of GO Corporation. ADW (Application Development Workbench) is a trademark of KnowledgeWare, Inc.

CONTACT:
Sumi Shohara of Hitachi Software Engineering America, Ltd., 510-655-4411