Aspec Expands EDA Strategy; Aspec Continues to Parlay into EDA Market with the Acquisition of NOVO Systems and a Strategic Alliance with Sun Microsystems

Business Wire, Oct 25, 1999

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 25, 1999--

Aspec Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASPC), a provider of deep submicron System-On-Chip (SOC) technologies and Silicon Intelligent(TM) design tools, continued its aggressive move into the EDA market with the acquisition of NOVO Systems Corporation and a strategic alliance with Sun Microsystems.

NOVO Systems, the leading expert in systems verification, provides support and maintenance for hardware accelerators used in the verification of highly complex design projects with some of the largest electronics companies in the world. Sun Microsystems, NOVO Systems and Aspec have entered into a development agreement to deliver new large-system verification software. The EDA software verification tool will address complex verification tasks required for deep submicron designs. The previous deep submicron analysis acquisitions of Chip & Chip and Verilux bring a unique combination of systems level verification experience and skills to the EDA marketplace by Aspec.

"Novo Systems brings leading systems level verification expertise which is extremely critical to deep submicron and System-On-Chip designs. The alliance with Sun Microsystems gives Novo a significant edge in developing and introducing products that will extend verification well beyond what is available," stated Conrad J. Dell'Oca, chairman of Aspec. "With Novo and our previous acquisitions of Chip & Chip and Verilux, Aspec now addresses a number of key physical verification and system level challenges providing a large market for Aspec's growth."

"Introducing a new verification methodology or tool is a challenge in today's market," stated John Walsh, president and CEO of NOVO Systems. "By merging with Aspec, a company that understands the physical challenges of design and working with Sun Microsystems, one of the most predominate electronic manufacturers in the world, NOVO Systems now has the ability to introduce a tool that will address the real issues of verification."

About Aspec Technology

Aspec Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASPC) is a provider of semiconductor intellectual property (SIP), advanced EDA tools and design services for complex IC (Integrated Circuit) system design and development. Aspec is located at 830 East Arques Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94086. More information is available at http://www.aspec.com.

About NOVO Systems

NOVO Systems, formerly known as Zycad TSS, was formed in 1997 to continue the support and maintenance of Zycad hardware accelerators, which are being used by many companies today. NOVO Systems has been profitable since the formation of the company and expects to continue maintaining its customer base. NOVO Systems is located at 4061 Clipper Court, Fremont CA.

This news release contains forward looking statements related to Aspec which are based on current expectations that includes statements regarding the Company's future expectations, beliefs, hopes, intentions, and strategies. These forward-looking statements may involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Actual results and developments therefore may differ materially from those described in this release. For more information about Aspec and risks arising when investing in Aspec, you are directed to Aspec's most recent reports on Form 10-Q and registration statement on Form S-1 as filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.