Mentor Graphics Implements Service Pack Strategy to Speed Delivery of Critical PCB Design Tool Enhancements

Business Wire, Dec 12, 2001

Business Editors, High-Tech Writers

LONGMONT, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 12, 2001

Mentor Graphics Corporation, the market leader in printed circuit board (PCB) design software, has established an accelerated product enhancement delivery program to provide its Board Station(R) and Expedition(TM) customers with new capabilities on an ongoing basis.

Board Station and Expedition customers who subscribe to maintenance services can download the latest Service Pack product updates from the Mentor Graphics(R) password-access customer support site, SupportNet(TM). Driven by customer requirements, Service Packs include a combination of new features and/or enhancements designed by Mentor Graphics engineering team as part of ongoing product development efforts.

Mentor Graphics has delivered 12 Service Pack updates, including both Board Station and Expedition PCB design flows, since launching the program earlier this year.

"Mentor Graphics execution of frequent Service Pack updates has provided us with significant new features in a more timely manner than we have seen from any other EDA tool provider," said Henry Arpe, layout engineer and system administrator, Desy, Hamburg, Germany. "This has allowed our design teams to exceed product schedules, helping us to get to market more quickly."

New product features and enhancements go through a rigorous review by Mentor Graphics quality assurance team before proceeding to field-testing. After they are proven in field-testing, the new features and enhancements are incorporated into the next Service Pack, on a "release as completed" basis. For example, Service Pack updates have included functionality such as dynamic plane generation in RE, automatic net compression and jumper support. Service Pack updates are designed to provide rapid deployment of new features and enhancements to maximize return-on-investment for customers.

"We are committed to ensuring customer satisfaction by delivering the most advanced technology possible, as quickly as possible. Service Packs allow us to provide customers with new features as soon as they have been field tested, instead of making customers wait for the next major product release," said Henry Potts, general manager and vice president, Systems Design Division, Mentor Graphics. "Based upon the high adoption rate we are seeing, Service Packs are making a difference for our customers."

"By consistently relaying feedback from users to our product development teams, we ensure that we can provide the new features that are most critical to customers' design success," said Tom Floodeen, general manager, Customer Support Division, Mentor Graphics.

About Mentor Graphics Corporation

Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq:MENT) is a world leader in electronic hardware and software design solutions, providing products, consulting services and award-winning support for the world's most successful electronics and semiconductor companies. Established in 1981, the company reported revenues over the last 12 months of more than $600 million and employs approximately 3,000 people worldwide. Corporate headquarters are located at 8005 S.W. Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-7777; Silicon Valley headquarters are located at 1001 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, California 95131-2314. World Wide Web site: www.mentor.com.

Mentor Graphics and Board Station are registered trademarks of Mentor Graphics Corporation. Expedition and SupportNet are trademarks of Mentor Graphics Corporation. All other company or product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.