many decisions to be made locally thus further reducing the load on the front end and reducing communications. The University of Melbourne system was a leader in the development of distributed intelligence DDC system. Out of CRC Midac System Pty Limited was formed in 1982, and went on to develop and implement more leading DDC technology included systems where the front-end computer was a CPM operating system MZ3500 Sharp personal computer. The Sharp was chosen because of its much superior graphics compared with the early IBM PC of the early 1980s. Over the following years the major players like Johnson and Honeywell would follow, replacing their mini-computer front-end terminals with PCs as they implemented microprocessor-based distributed intelligence systems using serial communications networks. Toward the end of the 1980s and early 1990s most DDC systems included an object-oriented control algorithm building tool. They compiled the object-oriented instructions into the system's native proprietary linear language, whereas in the Midac approach the control system's native language or operating environment was itself object-oriented. Midac went on to develop three new generations of microprocessor-based DDC systems, the last version being Nexus, developed for DKS that was taken over by James Hardie's Building Automation division. That business and its assets including Nexus were purchased by Chubb International in the late 1990s. History 1981-1983 Developed Concurrent Processing Multi-user DDC "Super Computer" 1982 Developed innovative Object Oriented Control Algorithm Building Language 1982 Implemented one of the world's first Distributed DDC Systems 1983 Pioneered Full DDC (Direct Digital Control) Energy Management Systems 1985 Provided First Full DDC Teaching System for TAFE 1988 - 1989 Designed and released Australia's first Home Automation technology 1990 - 1992 Developed Nexus - AI DDC system modeled on the human body 1995 Early WWW Political "Vote". First use of CyberVote term see Electronic voting examples 1995 Pioneered early Online Business Gateway/Portal sites in Australia 1998 eCommerce Gateway using Application Service Provider approach 2002 Released GatewayEngine, ReceptionCounter and RingForHelp products 2003 YesBookit - the first online booking management system for real estate agents Building automation Building engineering Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning