Sharp Standardizes on Solidcore to Control Office Automation Systems

Market Wire, December, 2007

Solidcore® Systems, Inc., a leading provider of real-time change control software, today announced that Sharp Corporation has standardized on Solidcore's S3 Control Embedded (TM) software to prevent unauthorized changes and code from executing on Sharp's multifunction printers. Delivered through Ryoyo Electro, a leading Solidcore distributor in Japan, Solidcore's change control software enables Sharp to control when changes can be applied to its multifunction printers. This helps Sharp improve the service availability and reduce the support costs for the multifunction systems.

Sharp's MX-series office automation printers and multifunction peripherals are server-powered, networked systems that utilize the Microsoft Windows XP Embedded operating system. Solidcore complements and leverages the powerful platform provided by the Microsoft Windows XP Embedded operating system by monitoring and enforcing software changes based on authorized updaters and approved maintenance time windows. Solidcore runs transparently on the Sharp systems to prevent unauthorized and out-of-policy software changes that could cause the multifunction printers to become unavailable when in use at convenience store locations. With Solidcore, Sharp can offer convenience store customers a reduction in field maintenance activities and unapproved software modifications on its printers. Solidcore also provides zero-day security protection by ensuring only authorized software can run on the printers -- eliminating the need to run performance-draining anti-virus software applications.

"It is critical that we sustain availability and compliance of our multifunction printers across convenience store locations," said Hiromu Yoshimoto, manager for Sharp Corporation. "Solidcore has become an instrumental partner in helping us lock-down our office automation printers and multifunction peripherals by preventing unauthorized access, unwanted software changes, and unapproved software installations on our systems."

"Systems that are delivered to convenience stores and retail locations must be highly-interactive, available and secure," said John Doyle, senior product manager with Windows Embedded at Microsoft Corp. "With Solidcore's proven change control solution and Windows XP Embedded, Sharp is able to offer a differentiated office printing solution for retail customers, while also reducing development and support costs needed to maintain those systems."

Solidcore will enable Sharp to enhance its market-leading office automation printer and multifunction peripheral solutions. Solidcore's S3 Control Embedded software is a small footprint, low-overhead change control solution. The product quickly installs to enforce Sharp's software change policy, and provides proactive protection against changes generated by unauthorized users. Solidcore's S3 Control Embedded solution provides benefits to both convenience stores and embedded system manufacturers. The convenience store benefits from higher security and availability of the in-store systems, while the system manufacturers like Sharp benefit from offering a more unique, out-of-the-box computing and printing solution with enhanced software control, security and compliance.

"Real-time change control software takes the complexity and manual effort out of securing and managing embedded, networked systems as they are shipped through a dealer network and delivered to thousands of distributed locations," said Ken Ogawa, executive vice president for Ryoyo Electro, a Microsoft distributor in Japan. "Solidcore's S3 Control Embedded software proactively prevents unauthorized changes and code from being executed on the multifunction printers to help Sharp lower its development and support costs. The result is a better performing and more secure system for Sharp and its convenience store customers."

About Solidcore Systems

Solidcore is a leading provider of real-time change control software. Solidcore's S3 Control Embedded software is used by the world's leading manufacturers of automated teller machines , point-of-sale terminals , medical devices , thin-clients , storage appliances and other devices to accelerate the deployment of embedded systems while reducing support costs. Solidcore is a Gold Partner in Microsoft's Windows Embedded Partner Program. Solidcore is headquartered in Cupertino, California. For more information about Solidcore's change control software for embedded systems, visit http://www.solidcore.com/solutions/embedded.html , and for more information about Solidcore, visit http://www.solidcore.com .

Solidcore is a registered trademark of Solidcore Systems, Inc. in the United States and other countries. S3 Control Embedded is a trademark of Solidcore Systems, Inc. All other names, products and services are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

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Press Contact: Tony Thompson Solidcore Systems 1-408-387-8444 Email Contact