Promise Technology Inc. Selects SMARTEAM Solution from IBM and Dassault Systemes

World Leader in IDE/ATA RAID controller technology chooses PLM collaborative product data management solution for globalization project

Taipei, Taiwan, and Paris, France - November 6, 2002 - Promise Technology Inc. (Promise), IBM, and Dassault Systemes (Nasdaq: NASTY; Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) today announced that Promise has selected SMARTEAM, an IBM Product Lifecycle Management solution developed by Dassault Systemes, to support its goal of harmonizing global product development.

Promise Technology Inc. holds 86% of the world market for IDE/ATA RAID (Integrated Device Electronics/Advanced Technology Attachment) controller technology (hard disks), according to Dataquest. In an effort to secure that lead, Promise has launched a globalization project to integrate product development in Taiwan, China, and USA. The SMARTEAM solution for Promise includes a worldwide electronic document management center, workflow processes, project and version management.

“Creating an R&D technology database and a product lifecycle management operating system were key to our plans for globalization and to improve time to market” said James Lee, chairman and president, Promise Technology Inc. “SMARTEAM will enable our developers around the world to share error-free product information in real-time. In addition, as developers enter their product data into the system, project managers can monitor the advancement and status of the projects regardless of location.”

“We are confident that our SMARTEAM solution will enable Promise to maintain its lead in IDE/ATA RAID technology,” said Raoul Van Engelshoven, vice president, IBM Product Lifecycle Management, Asia-Pacific. “IBM PLM Solutions allow customers to innovate, reduce development time and improve product value. SMARTEAM is an integral part of our PLM offering because it responds to our customers’ three primary needs: consistency across processes, improved productivity and faster time to market. Like Promise, more and more customers are turning to IBM PLM for scaleable e-collaboration solutions to help them realize the benefits of product lifecycle management.”

“Promise understands the importance of product knowledge and process collaboration across the extended enterprise,” said Ned Smith, vice president, Sales and Business Development for Asia Pacific at Dassault Systemes. “In order to realize their globalization plans and remain number one in the highly competitive RAID controller technology market, Promise knew that they had to link their business processes through a unified information collaboration solution. We are proud to help them achieve that goal and delighted with their decision, which is a major endorsement for SMARTEAM both in Asia-Pacific and around the world.”

SMARTEAM is IBM and Dassault Systemes’ leading product data and workflow management solution for small to medium sized businesses and departments of large enterprises. SMARTEAM leverages a company's knowledge base by enabling effective information collaboration and improved data flow within an organization, driving innovation and speeding time-to-market.