Kepware® Enables Next Generation of Innovators as Silver Supplier for the FIRST ® Robotics Competition

PORTLAND, Maine, March 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Kepware® Technologies announced today that it has joined forces with FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), an international K-12 not-for-profit organization founded by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology, as a Silver Supplier of the FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC®).

The FIRST Robotics Competition Silver Supplier level designates a contribution of between $25,000 and $100,000. Kepware provided 61 licenses of its flagship product KEPServerEX® and four licenses of ClientAce® for the FIRST Robotics Competition, which together were valued at more than $75,000 and distributed to nearly 3,000 teams of high school students on January 3, 2015.

"Kepware is committed to the mission of FIRST by helping us offer students a hands-on learning experience," said FIRST President, Donald E. Bossi. "As a Silver Supplier, Kepware provides tools that aid in experiential learning and allow FIRST to offer participants a glimpse of what it's like to be a real engineer."

By providing components for the competition, FIRST Suppliers are putting the latest technology into the hands of students, giving them the opportunity to apply the same tools used by professional scientists and engineers and, ultimately, helping them learn real-world skills they will carry into the workplace.

"Kepware knows that investing in today's youth helps ensure an innovative and prosperous future for engineering," said Tony Paine, CEO, Kepware. "The FIRST organization's commitment to advancing technical education around the globe makes the organization an ideal candidate for our STEM philanthropic efforts. We are proud to contribute to this year's competitions, and to help inspire tomorrow's technology pioneers."

About 75,000 students from the U.S., Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Singapore, Taiwan, Turkey, U.A.E., and the U.K. will compete in 48 District Events, 5 District Championships, and 56 Regional Events in five countries—all leading up to the 2015 FIRST Championship at the Edward Jones Dome, April 22-25, in St. Louis. This season, participating FIRST Robotics Competition high school students are eligible to apply for nearly $20 million in scholarships from 170 colleges and universities.

About Kepware, Inc.Kepware Technologies is a private software development company headquartered in Portland, Maine. Kepware provides a portfolio of software solutions to help businesses connect diverse automation devices and software applications. From plant floor to wellsite to windfarm, Kepware serves a wide range of customers in a variety of vertical markets including Manufacturing, Oil & Gas, Building Automation, Power Distribution, and more. Established in 1995 and now distributed in more than 100 countries, Kepware's software solutions help thousands of businesses improve operations and decision making. Learn more at www.kepware.com.

Media ContactRyan Lilly[email protected]978-518-4533www.matternow.com

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