Eclipse International Named Worldwide Distributor of Microsoft Windows CE Operating System; Eclipse Provides Software Licenses, High Level of Expertise, Early Access to Technology — Faster Time-to-Market for Windows CE Developers and OEMs

Business Wire, March 10, 1997

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 10, 1997--Eclipse International, Inc., an early provider of high-quality hardware and software solutions for Windows CE platform, today announced that Microsoft Corporation has named it an authorized worldwide distributor of Windows CE operating system software licenses.

Eclipse can now offer OEM customers a powerful combination of Windows CE system solutions, technical support and training, as well as licenses for Windows CE production software and OEM Adaptation Kit (OAK).

This distribution arrangement with Microsoft, combined with years of hands-on Windows CE experience, allows Eclipse to offer its customers a one-stop shopping experience. Eclipse provides all of the constituent technologies necessary to develop and build successful Windows CE-based platforms.

"The mission of Eclipse International is to accelerate the buildup of an industry infrastructure for Windows CE that is equivalent to the resources that exist for PC manufacturers today," said Tom Wong, vice president of marketing, Eclipse International, Inc. "By tightly coupling hardware and software during the process of designing Windows CE-based devices, Eclipse can help OEMs ensure that systems are deployed with first-time success and achieve fast time-to-market."

"Eclipse International is among the first group of authorized Windows CE distributors because they have demonstrated a deep level of Windows CE technical expertise over a period of several years," said Ray Kanemori, Senior OEM Sales Manager, Microsoft Corporation. "We believe Eclipse can provide the foundation for the Windows CE industry infrastructure, and assist in the accelerated adoption of Windows CE as an operating system standard in the vertical markets."

Eclipse Helps Develop Windows CE Systems

Eclipse International has more than three years of experience working with Windows CE and is one of the few companies in the world with proven expertise at porting Windows CE software to target hardware platforms. For example, Eclipse successfully ported the Windows CE operating system to a target development platform on behalf of Microsoft and Hitachi. This system was demonstrated at Comdex 96 and the Winter Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

The company supplies many of the technology building blocks necessary in the nascent Windows CE industry. Addressing the need for industry-wide education, Eclipse offers complete training programs in key aspects of Windows CE operating system architecture and application development.

Training topics include the Microsoft Windows CE Software Developers Kit (SDK) and Device Driver Development Kit (DDK) as well as Windows CE-based hardware system requirements.

The company plans to introduce evaluation systems, development systems, off-the-shelf board-level systems and peripherals in the near future. Eclipse also offers application-specific system solutions to support customer requirements that go beyond its standard product solutions. All of these products and services are designed to help OEMs shorten the development cycles of Windows CE-based devices.

These offerings will enable developers and original equipment manufacturers to unleash a tsunami of Windows CE-related products, including wireless communication devices such as smart cellular phones, consumer electronics such as DVD players, Internet access devices such as Web-based phones, as well as a host of computer-centric products for the vertical markets.

About Eclipse International

Eclipse International, Inc. specializes in providing high-quality software and hardware products for Windows CE-based systems. Eclipse is also an authorized worldwide distributor of production software licenses for the Windows CE operating system. Eclipse works closely with OEM customers to provide optimal solutions to meet their Windows CE development needs.

With several years of expertise in developing Windows CE-based systems, Eclipse provides its customers with early access to Windows CE technology, enabling them to incorporate Windows CE into product portfolios quickly and reliably. -0-

Note to Editors: All trademarks and brand names are the property of their respective owners. Microsoft and Windows CE are registered trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation.

CONTACT: Eclipse International, Inc.

Tom Wong, 415/691-6555

twong@eclipseint.com

or

MQPR

Matthew Quint, 510/548-8985

mqpr@aol.com