Brooks acquires CCS

Brooks Automation has acquired CCS Technology for cash and stock totaling about US$5.35 million. CCS's test suite verifies compliance with 200 mm and 300 mm tool communications standards.

Ray Ritter, CCS's VP for sales and marketing, explained that the standards for 300 mm communications are far more complex than earlier versions. Additional automation requires more precision and increases the interaction between specifications. A neutral test platform helps suppliers and customers verify that each piece of software performs as required.

The CCS acquisition follows Brooks' purchase of KLA-Tencor's e-diagnostics infrastructure in May. As John Biasi, director of strategic planning at Brooks, explained, that purchase included the server software, network protocols, and data reporting support for KLA's iSupport product line.

Both acquisitions will help Brooks' control systems support e-diagnostics, fault detection, and other remote applications. Biasi believes that between 30 and 40% of all automation problems could be fixed remotely. E-diagnostics promises faster, more effective support at a lower cost.