PRI Automation Awarded Patent for Key Software Algorithm
PRI's "Dynamic Traffic-Based Routing Algorithm" is Key to Unified Automation Systems Required in 300mm Wafer Fabs
BILLERICA, Mass., Feb. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PRI Automation, Inc. (Nasdaq: PRIA, Toronto: PRJ), a global leader in advanced automation systems, software and services for the semiconductor industry, today announced that it has been awarded a U.S. patent #6,285,951 for an essential software algorithm. Its ``Dynamic Traffic-Based Routing Algorithm,'' incorporated into PRI's materials management software, is the key to PRI's ability to provide Unified Automated Material Handling Systems that manage every wafer and reticle move in a 300mm wafer fab.
PRI is well known for providing the most flexible transportation system for semiconductor manufacturers - its patented AeroTrak® system features a lightweight aluminum track and turntables that allow PRI to transport material to a destination via the shortest path. The company's Dynamic Traffic-Based Routing Algorithm also enables PRI's system to factor in existing traffic, on the fly, to automatically calculate not only the shortest but the fastest route to a destination -- akin to a taxi using back roads to get a passenger to the airport quickly. PRI's competitors tend to utilize fixed track, analogous to a bus route -- material needs to travel the entire route, waiting for the right stop.
``Software prowess and hardware flexibility have long been competitive advantages for PRI,'' explained Mitch Tyson, PRI's president and CEO. ``Other companies have tried to emulate our material transport system and failed, primarily due to software shortcomings. This patented algorithm is a key enabling technology for Unified Automated Material Handling Systems, and only PRI has it.''
The algorithm was co-invented by three PRI employees: Tom Mariano, vice president of Factory Management Software; Mary Ellen Sparrow, director of AeroTrak Software; and Robert Gaskins, engineering manager.
About PRI Automation
PRI Automation, Inc., headquartered in Billerica, Massachusetts, is a leading global supplier of advanced factory automation systems, software, and services that optimize the productivity of semiconductor and precision electronics manufacturers as well as OEM process tool manufacturers. PRI is the only company to provide a tightly integrated and flexible hardware and software solution that optimizes the flow of products, data, materials and resources throughout the production chain. The company has thousands of systems installed at approximately one hundred locations throughout the world. For more information, visit PRI online at www.pria.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This release includes forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements relating to the expected benefits of PRI Automation products. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include the following: the manner in which the customer uses our products and integrates them with third- party components may affect their performance; the downturn in the semiconductor capital equipment industry is harming our business; fluctuating demand for our products makes it difficult to manage our business efficiently; we have reduced our workforce in response to the industry downturn and reduced demand for our products and our smaller workforce may be inadequate to handle increased demand for our products; we may continue to experience delays and technical difficulties with new product introductions; 300mm technology, in which we have invested heavily, is being adopted more slowly than we expected, competition for early 300mm orders is intense and we have to date received few orders for 300mm automated handling systems; our lengthy sales cycle makes it difficult to anticipate revenues; our operating results fluctuate significantly in response to a variety of factors; delays in shipment or customer acceptance of a single significant order could substantially decrease our revenues for a period; the application of new accounting guidance under SAB 101 will result in delayed recognition of revenues from our factory automation systems; we typically charge a fixed price for our factory automation systems and therefore, we are vulnerable to cost overruns; we have a limited number of customers, we do not have long-term purchase agreements with our customers, and the loss, cancellation or delay of an order by any of these customers could harm our business; we must continually improve our technology and develop new products to remain competitive; demand for less expensive semiconductors is increasing pressure to reduce our prices; industry consolidation and outsourcing could reduce the number of available customers; our operations outside North America expose us to special risks of doing business internationally; our investments in the Asia-Pacific market may not be successful; we face significant competition from other automation companies; we are increasingly dependent on subcontractors and one or a few suppliers of certain components, subassemblies and manufacturing processes; the failure of our key suppliers to deliver components on time could harm our business; we depend on our executive officers and other key personnel; our software products may contain defects that could result in claims and harm our business; we may be unable to protect our proprietary technology; others might claim that we infringe their technology; rising energy costs may increase our operating expenses; future acquisitions may disrupt the Company's operations; we are subject to pending class action securities litigation that could be costly to defend, divert the attention of our management and, if determined adversely to us, seriously harm our business; and other factors identified in our registration statement on Form S-3, file number 333-60180, filed with the SEC on May 3, 2000 and in the preliminary joint proxy statement/prospectus relating to Brooks Automation's proposed acquisition of PRI Automation included in the registration statement on Form S-4, file number 333-74590, filed with the SEC on December 19, 2001. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements included in this release.
AeroTrak is a registered trademark of PRI Automation, Inc. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners. |
