Brother designed the BE-1204C-BC and BE-1206B-BC for reduced cycle times, simple changeover between flat frames and cap frames, low vibration, and the ability for the user to combine up to four units—including a combination of four- and six-head machines—under the control of a single computer. BE-1204C-BC is a 12-color, four-head machine. BE1206B-BC is a 12-color, six-head unit. They're available in computer-controlled and standalone (without computer) versions. The computer-controlled unit displays job progress on screen, as well as details such as number of stitches, embroidering speed, and other parameters. Production statistics also can be collated. It also features a multilanguage computer monitor, individual settings for needle bar/speed range, changeable embroidery start/stop position, and unlimited automatic color changing, number of recordable patterns, and memory (depends on capacity of computer's hard drive), and more. The standalone version offers similar features, but it has a multilanguage operation-panel display and supports up to 99 recordable color changes for each pattern, up to 45 recordable patterns, and memory for up to 480,000 stitches. The standalone model does not support changeable embroidery start/stop position. Options include control panels, wide tubular frames, 15 x 16-in. (381 x 406-mm) frames (four-head only), bobbin winders, and cap frame. An integrated network system, BE-300N, also is available for those who wish to connect multiple standalone machines (computer-controlled units cannot be connected). It supports embroidery-data distribution, centralized database management, real-time monitoring of embroidery machines, and generation of production reports. Brother Int'l, 100 Somerset Corporate Blvd., Bridgewater, NJ 08807, 908-704-1700, fax: 908-704-8235, Web: www.brother.com.