TSSW Contract With Sun Microsystems announced this AM:
TouchStone Software To Provide Essential BIOS Technology For New Sun Microsystems PC Co-Processing Card
Leading BIOS Developer Signed to Customize AwardBIOS for New SunPCi(TM) Card
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 28, 2000-- TouchStone Software Corporation (OTC BB:
TSSW) today announced through its wholly owned subsidiary, eSupport.com Inc., that it has signed a software
development agreement with Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW) to customize the BIOS to provide essential
technology for Sun's new version of its popular SunPCi(TM) PC co-processing card.
TouchStone, a specialist in BIOS development, will modify and customize the device's AwardBIOS to provide added
power management features, as well as support for the latest CPUs and flash devices. The assignment continues the close
working relationship between Sun and TouchStone, which has completed other BIOS modification projects for Sun in the
past.
"TouchStone is excited to be helping Sun bring its improved SunPCi card to market," said Pierre Narath, Chairman,
President and CEO of TouchStone Software Corporation. "The SunPCi card's new capabilities will make running
Windows products easier than ever for millions of Solaris (TM) Operating Environment users."
"We're looking forward to the assistance of TouchStone Software in the final development of the next generation SunPCi
card," said Matt Koehler, Manager, Sun Microsystems SunPCi Group. "With TouchStone's extensive BIOS engineering
technology and position as an authorized developer of Phoenix Technologies' core BIOS, they have proven that they can
deliver."
The SunPCi card series of hardware and software products is a cost-effective solution that provides PC compatibility to
users who wish to run PC applications on Sun(TM) workstations using the Solaris(TM) Operating Environment. The
products enable interoperability between the Solaris Operating Environment and Microsoft Windows through file system
sharing, cut/copy/paste, and network resource sharing.
As part of the BIOS customization for the new SunPCi card, TouchStone will be providing power management support
for automatic shutdown when the host workstation is powered down, as well as a BIOS soft update feature which will
enable the AwardBIOS to be soft loaded onto the co-processor hardware from the workstation each time the SoftPC
application is run. Support for Windows 9x shutdown and ACPI and save/restore to disk functionality features will also
be included.
For more about TouchStone and its products and services, contact the company at 976/686-6468, or visit
www.touchstonesoftware.com.
About TouchStone Software Corporation
Headquartered in North Andover, Mass., TouchStone Software Corporation (OTC BB: TSSW) is recognized as a
major force in the utility software market focusing on PC system diagnostics and utilities. Founded in 1982, TouchStone
designs, develops and markets a comprehensive line of utility programs, highlighted by the CheckIt(R) Family of system
diagnostics. The CheckIt Family consists of WinCheckIt 6.5(TM), FastMove! 2000a and CheckIt NetOptimizer(TM).
TouchStone sells and distributes its product throughout the retail, direct and OEM sales channels. In March 1999,
Touchstone acquired Unicore Software Inc., which was previously a wholly owned subsidiary of Phoenix Technologies,
Ltd. (NASDAQ: PTEC). Unicore is a full service computer engineering company that is also the world's oldest and
largest supplier of BIOS upgrades. The company also provides diagnostics, hard drive installation utilities and drivers to
many leading manufacturers in the PC industry. For more information, visit the Company's Web site at
www.touchstonesoftware.com.
About Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision -- The Network Is The Computer(TM) -- has propelled Sun Microsystems
(Nasdaq: SUNW) to its position as a leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services that power the Internet and allow companies worldwide to ".com" their businesses. With $13 billion in annual revenues, Sun can be found in more than 170 countries and on the World Wide Web at sun.com.
Note: This release contains certain forward-looking statements regarding product development schedules, sales of
products in the future, return to profitability, financial position and growth plans. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could vary materially from these statements or current trends. Investors should refer to
TouchStone's 1998 10-KSH and first quarter 1999 10-QSB for a fuller description of risk factors.
Sun, the Sun logo, Sun Microsystems, SunPCi, Solaris, and The Network Is The Computer are trademarks or registered
trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and in other countries.
Contact:
S&S Public Relations
Hope Nichols, 847/955-0700 (Press)
hope@sspr.com
or
TouchStone Software Corporation
Rich West, 978/686-6468
rich_west@unicore.com |
