Insyde Technology: News: Press Releases: Multiple Notebook Vendors License SystemSoft's System-Level Software for Intel's New 440BX AGPset

Multiple Notebook Vendors License SystemSoft's System-Level Software for Intel's New 440BX AGPset

Enables PC OEMs to Increase System and 3D Graphics Performance; Reduces Product Time-to-Market Through Early ACPI and PC 98 Support

NATICK, Mass. - April 15, 1998 - SystemSoft Corp. (NASDAQ: SYSF), a leading global provider of enabling software technologies for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), today announced the immediate availability of complete system-level software for the Intel® 440BX AGPset, announced today by Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC). Leading Taiwanese OEMs, including ASE, Chaplet, Clevo, Dual, Featron/Philips, Kapok, MiTAC, USI and Veridata, are among the first SystemSoft customers to license this software.

SystemSoft's software provides PC vendors with three key benefits:

SystemSoft's BIOS software provides full support for advanced capabilities included in the Intel 440BX AGPset, which was introduced along with Intel's Pentium II® processors at speeds of 350 and 400MHz. The new Intel AGPset is the first chipset to optimize Pentium II processor performance for 3D and video applications with a 100MHz system bus and SDRAM memory capability. The combination of SystemSoft's software with Intel's 440BX enables PC OEMs to increase both system and 3D graphics performance.

SystemSoft's BIOS software also delivers complete ACPI and PC 98 support. By providing PC manufacturers with early compliance for these industry design requirements, SystemSoft's software allows OEMs to reduce their product time-to-market and the pressure they face to ensure system-compliance. PC vendors are required to provide ACPI support as of April 1 and PC 98 support by July 1 to comply with Microsoft's design requirements.

In addition, SystemSoft's software provides support for the new 440BX and previous 430TX and 440LX AGPsets with the same BIOS. This "3-in-1" BIOS software facilitates OEM migration from the older chipsets to new 440BX designs, saving both time and money.

SystemSoft Takes the Lead in Enabling 440BX Designs

"Clevo has used SystemSoft's BIOS software for both 440BX and 430TX-based systems," said Will Chen, vice president of Research & Development, Clevo Co. "Supporting both chipsets with the same BIOS software, SystemSoft provided Clevo with a significant development cost savings. In addition, SystemSoft delivered an unparalleled knowledge of Intel chipsets and strong engineering support, resulting in a distinct time-to-market advantage."

"Working closely with Intel, SystemSoft has delivered a comprehensive solution for the new 440BX," said Mel Laakso, vice president of engineering for SystemSoft's Platform Products Group. "Through its early ACPI and PC 98 support, the combination of SystemSoft's software with Intel's 440BX enable PC vendors to deliver desktop and notebook PCs optimized for today's demanding computing environments."

SystemSoft's BIOS software is one of the industry's leading system-level software products, supporting the latest PC computing standards, while also providing OEM customers maximum system design flexibility and end-user manageability.

SystemSoft is a leading worldwide provider of system-level, connectivity and problem-resolution software. SystemSoft's portfolio of technology innovations includes SystemWizard™, CardWizard™ PC Card software, ACPI firmware and development tools and BIOS. Founded in 1990, SystemSoft reported annual revenue of $42.6 million in its 1998 fiscal year. SystemSoft licenses its products primarily to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Its clients include Acer, Compaq (NYSE:CPQ), Computer Associates (NYSE:CA), Dell (NASDAQ:DELL), Gateway 2000 (NYSE:GTW), Hewlett-Packard (NYSE:HWP), Hitachi, IBM (NYSE:IBM), Intel, Micron Electronics (NASDAQ:MUEI), Packard Bell NEC, Sykes Enterprises (NASDAQ:SYKE) and Toshiba.