A strategy for simplifying the programming of heterogeneous distributed systems is presented. The approach used is based on integrating a high-level distributed programming model, the process model, directly into programming languages. Distributed applications written in such languages are portable across different environments, are shorter, and are simpler to develop than similar applications developed using conventional approaches. The process model is discussed, and Hermes and Concert/C, two languages that implement this model, are described. Hermes is a secure, representation-independent language designed explicitly around the process model. Concert/C is the C language augmented with a small set of extensions to support the process model while allowing reuse of existing C code. Hermes has been prototyped: an implementation of Concert/C is in development. >