Press Releases

SystemSoft Automates ACPI Development for Desktop and Mobile PC Vendors

ACPIBuilder Significantly Reduces Time and Costs For PC OEMs

BELLEVUE, Wash. - Oct. 7, 1997 - At the Microsoft sponsored OnNow/ACPI Implementation Workshop in Bellevue, Wash. this week, SystemSoft® Corp. (NASDAQ: SYSF) will introduce the industry's first Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) development tool. ACPIBuilder™ is a breakthrough product that automatically generates ACPI Source Language (ASL), saving desktop and mobile PC vendors engineering resources and minimizes costs and valuable ROM space. SystemSoft will conduct private demonstrations of ACPIBuilder at the Embassy Suites Hotel.

ACPIBuilder complements SystemSoft's ACPI firmware products (ACPI ROM), announced earlier this year. SystemSoft's ACPI ROM, which is BIOS-independent, provides original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with fully compliant ACPI 1.0 support for their base machine (chipset/motherboard). The software has been licensed by numerous leading OEMs.

ACPIBuilder delivers key benefits to PC OEMs, such as allowing maximum flexibility when selecting hardware components, reducing the in-house firmware engineering manpower requirements, as well as providing the ability to re-use ACPI code for multiple design projects.

The ACPI specification, developed by Intel Corp., Microsoft Corp. and Toshiba America Information Systems Inc., allows the PC operating system to monitor and control system configuration and power management. ACPI is a requirement for Microsoft's PC97 and 98 designs, and is a key element of Microsoft's OnNow and Simply Interactive PC (SIPC) Initiatives. SystemSoft is working with all leading chipset and peripheral manufacturers to develop, test and ensure ACPI compliance in hardware and system firmware. In addition, SystemSoft has worked closely with Microsoft and Intel on the development and testing of SystemSoft's ACPI products.

"While ACPI benefits end-users by improving overall system power management and plug and play, OEMs must make the significant investment in developing ACPI-complaint systems," said Stephen J. Gentile, vice president of marketing for SystemSoft's Platform Products Group. "SystemSoft has once again delivered what PC OEMs require. ACPIBuilder delivers the built-in expertise to help reduce the time and cost associated with ACPI development, helping OEMs ship ACPI-compliant products faster."

ACPIBuilder, which works with any system BIOS, makes it easier for PC vendors to develop ACPI-compliant systems by automating the ASL coding process through the following capabilities:

• Drag and Drop Project Creation: ACPIBuilder includes ASL for all leading PC system device chipsets, bridges, busses, controllers and devices, eliminating the need for OEMs to code these themselves. Engineers can simply "drag and drop" the selected object.
• Hierarchical System Representation: ACPIBuilder provides users with a hierarchical display of their ACPI system, a visual aid to ensure that it is built correctly. More importantly, ACPIBuilder will not allow users to drag and drop an object in the wrong location, alerting them when an object has been incorrectly inserted.
• Automatic AML Code Generation: Once a vendor has developed the ACPI code for the PC, the ASL code must be compiled into ACPI Machine Language (AML). ACPIBuilder automatically outputs AML code, saving an additional step for OEMs.
• Project Organization: ACPIBuilder simplifies the creation of ASL and AML code and serves as a version control system for the completed projects. For future versions of a desktop or notebook PC, OEMs can quickly pull up previous coding projects and easily delete/add components that have changed, leveraging the investment made in creating previous ACPI systems.

About SystemSoft

SystemSoft is the pioneer in system-level software, connectivity, and problem-resolution technologies. SystemSoft's system-level software products now include Universal Serial Bus firmware and software, SystemWizard™ call-avoidance software, CardWizard™ PC Card software, Plug-and-Play software, ACPI firmware and development tools, power-management software and BIOS. SystemSoft licenses its products primarily to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), including manufacturers of PCs, and independent software and hardware vendors. Its customers include Acer, Apple Computer, AST Computer, Compaq, Digital Equipment Corporation, Gateway 2000, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Motorola, NEC, and Toshiba. Based in Natick, Mass., SystemSoft employs more than 250 at its headquarters and in offices in Boulder, Colo.; Santa Clara, Calif.; Oxnard, Calif.; Yokohama, Japan; and Taipei, Taiwan.

For more information, contact:

SystemSoft
Dennis Gullotti
508/651-0088

Copithorne & Bellows
Jon Bornstein
919-562-6787

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