AST CHALKS UP ANOTHER FIRST WITH LEADING-EDGE CD-ROM MINICHANGER MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE ON ADVANTAGE! MULTIMEDIA PCs; AST Is First-to-Market In Indirect Channel with 6X CD-ROM Minichanger Using Technology From Smart Storage.IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 20, 1996--AST Computer Tuesday delivered another home run by being the first PC manufacturer to introduce to the indirect channel a 6X CD-ROM CD-ROM: see compact disc. CD-ROM in full compact disc read-only memory Type of computer storage medium that is read optically (e.g., by a laser). with three-CD minichangers for its home and home office users. Editorial Summary: o AST (AST Computer, Irvine, CA) A PC manufacturer founded in 1980 by Albert Wong, Safi Quershey and Tom Yuen (A, S and T). It offered a complete line of PCs that sold through its dealer channel. is first-to-market with 6X CD-ROM drives CD-ROM drives, which today typically means a CD-RW drive that is a combo CD-ROM, CD-R and CD-RW drive, come in a variety of speeds. The original drive (1x) transferred data at 150KB per second. with three CD-minichangers for the indirect channel, using the latest in minichanger management software from Smart Storage. o Bundled on its high-end Advantage! multimedia systems, AST once more demonstrates its quick-to-market strategy by providing consumers leading-edge technology at the right time. Shipping on AST's new line of Intel Pentium(r) processor-based Advantage! PCs, the 6X CD-ROM drives use designated SmartCD Manager(tm) software, from Smart Storage, located in Andover, Mass. Smart Storage is a recognized market leader in network-based CD-Recordable (CD-R (CD-Recordable) A writable CD technology using a type of compact disc that can be recorded, but not erased (CD-Rs are "write once" discs). CD-R discs are used to master CD-ROMs, to back up data and to make copies of data for distribution. ) management software. "AST has partnered with Smart Storage because of its strong reputation and demonstrated expertise with CD jukebox A CD player that holds multiple audio CDs. The term may also refer to a CD-ROM jukebox. See CD-ROM server and digital jukebox. management software. Users now have an added degree of flexibility in running and managing collections of CD-ROMS and audio CDs," said AST's Dan Sheppard, director of desktop marketing. AST's Advantage! systems incorporate minichangers provided by Tottori Sanyo Electric Company, located in Tottori City, Japan, on which the management software from Smart Storage is bundled. "The combination of AST's technical innovation with the market leader in network-based CD-Recordable (CD-R) management software provides one of the most robust combinations of power and performance surpassing the technology dreams of today's consumer," stated Peter Smails, vice president of product marketing, of Smart Storage. AST believes that the combination of a powerful minichanger from a well-respected company like Sanyo with the software management expertise of Smart Storage enables users to access collections of CD-ROMS on their desktop in a timely and efficient manner. "It makes perfect sense for the consumer to upgrade a basic CD-ROM drive A device that holds and reads CD-ROM discs. CD-ROM drives generally also play audio CD discs by sending analog sound to the sound card via a 4-pin cable. For specifications of 10x, 20x, etc. drives, see CD-ROM drives. See CD-ROM, CD-ROM changer, CD-ROM server and CD-ROM audio cable. to a minichanger," said Sheppard. "We expect that minichangers will become just as prevalent in the home computer market as multi-CD players are in the audio market over the next twelve months," he added. Key Benefits SmartCD Manager allows users to: o Catalog collections of reference, audio, multimedia and photo CDs for easy identification with descriptive information for each disc. o Easily inventory, select, load and run individual CDs with a user-friendly icon and menu driven interface. o Access all three CDs by a single drive letter, instead of a drive letter for each disc, allowing the CDs to be removed and inserted in different slots inside the changer Changer The name given to a clearing member that is willing to assume the opposite position of a futures contract within a larger alternative exchange, of which it also is a clearing member. without affecting playback or program operation. Chauffeur and Driver All In One SmartCD Manager represents a significant improvement over existing device drivers by integrating a graphical database, changer device management capabilities and a launch pad for CD-based applications into a single environment. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Smart Storage, it is the first product of its kind to provide simple, functional tools to access up to three discs on the AST CD changer. High Growth Market According to Freeman and Associates Inc., a high tech market research firm in northern California Northern California, sometimes referred to as NorCal, is the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The region contains the San Francisco Bay Area, the state capital, Sacramento; as well as the substantial natural beauty of the redwood forests, the northern , the CD is quickly becoming the data management and storage solution of choice among consumers. For worldwide shipments from all suppliers during 1994, the survey reveals that shipments of CD-ROM drives were up 148 percent over 1993 levels, with revenue up 95 percent. "CD-ROM is a key enabling technology for multimedia and mass storage because CD technology is uniquely qualified to handle all types of digital data including text, audio and motion video," noted Sheppard. An Advantage! PC For All Seasons AST's newest Advantage! PCs are propelled by Intel Pentium processors ranging from 75 MHz (MegaHertZ) One million cycles per second. It is used to measure the transmission speed of electronic devices, including channels, buses and the computer's internal clock. A one-megahertz clock (1 MHz) means some number of bits (16, 32, 64, etc. to 166 MHz and are robust and ready-to-go right out of the box. The latest systems include the Microsoft(r) Windows(r) 95 operating system operating system (OS) Software that controls the operation of a computer, directs the input and output of data, keeps track of files, and controls the processing of computer programs. and come with up to 16 MB of easily upgradable RAM. Complete with plenty of expansion slots and up to 2.1 GB storage capacity, the latest crop of Advantage! systems are blazingly fast powerhouses for value-conscious and power-hungry consumers. Service and Support AST backs all of its products with a host of multi-source support programs, including a toll-free "hot" line for users in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. . Available as an option to commercial users is AST-LifeLine(tm), an innovative, interactive technical support system that incorporates Radish radish, herbaceous plant (Raphanus sativus) belonging to the family Cruciferae (mustard family), with an edible, pungent root sliced in salads or used as a relish. Communications System's Voice View(r) integrated voice and data protocol with custom AST technical support software. Using an ordinary phone line, voice and data communications data communications, application of telecommunications technology to the problem of transmitting data, especially to, from, or between computers. In popular usage, it is said that data communications make it possible for one computer to "talk" with another. can be exchanged between the customer and PC support technician to quickly evaluate the situation and implement a "real time" solution or "fix." Info-FAX, a 24-hour local and international voice-automated fax-response product information source lets users download product information. Additionally, AST OnLine!, AST's own bulletin board service, as well as Compuserve(r) (GO:ASTFORUM), America Online See AOL. (r) (KEYWORD:AST) and Prodigy(r) (JUMP:AST SUPPORT) online forums allow users to talk, meet, share ideas and answer questions with other AST users. Information about AST and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.ast.com. Smart Storage Corporate Background Smart Storage Inc. is the market leader in providing innovative cross-platform CD-ROM and CD-Recordable (CD-R) storage solutions for Global 2000 enterprise networks. Smart Storage's family of products includes: SmartCD Archive(tm) for CD read/write and read-only mass storage, SmartWrite CD(r) software for true network-based CD recording and SmartCD Library(tm) for network access to collections of published CDs. Smart Storage software is distributed through systems integrators, imaging distributors, VARS VARS Value Added Reseller VARS Vehicle Accounting and Reporting System (US Immigration and Naturalization Service) VARS Vertical and Azimuth Reference System VARS Variant Stem VARS Variables and OEMS OEMS Office of Emergency Medical Services (Massachusetts government) OEMS Oracle Enterprise Messaging Service OEMS Order Entry Management System in the United States, Canada, Europe and the Pacific Rim Pacific Rim, term used to describe the nations bordering the Pacific Ocean and the island countries situated in it. In the post–World War II era, the Pacific Rim has become an increasingly important and interconnected economic region. . Corporate headquarters is located at 100 Burtt Road, Andover, Mass 01810. Telephone 508/623-3300. Fax 508/623-3310. Corporate Background AST Research Inc., a member of the Fortune 500 list of America's largest industrial and service companies, is one of the world's leading personal computer manufacturers. The $2.468 billion company develops a broad spectrum of desktop, mobile and server PC products that are sold in more than 100 countries worldwide. AST systems meet a wide range of customer needs, from corporate business applications to advanced home and home office use. Corporate headquarters is located at 16215 Alton Parkway, P.O. Box 57005, Irvine, Calif. 92619-7005. Telephone 714/727-4141 or 800/876-4278. Fax 714/727-9355. NOTE TO EDITORS: AST and Advantage! are registered trademarks of AST Research Inc. Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corp. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp. SmartWrite CD is a registered trademark and SmartCD Archive, SmartCD Library and SmartCD Manager are trademarks of Smart Storage Inc. All other products or services mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. CONTACT: AST Research Inc., Irvine, Calif. Camerone Welch-Thorson, 714/727-8858 camerone.welch-thorson@ast.com |
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