Accelent Systems Expands Professional Services Offering to Include Training Programs.

Business Editors/High Tech Writers

Training Programs for the Microsoft Windows CE .NET Operating System

Now Available

Accelent Systems, in conjunction with Software Answers, Inc., a Microsoft Certified Technical Education Center (CTEC), today announced that it has begun offering a number of training programs to address the growing need for education on the tools and technologies to enable today's leading embedded devices.

Each course is taught by a Microsoft CTEC Trainer and is designed to give students a hands-on experience by incorporating the leading hardware (Accelent's PXA250 / Windows CE .NET IDP development platforms), development tools and software from Accelent Systems and Microsoft Corp. By incorporating these technologies into the course materials and labs, students complete each class fully armed with the knowledge and tools that can be directly applied to their current development efforts.

Accelent Systems is currently offering two classes, introduction and advanced versions of Embedded Solutions Development.

-- Introduction to Embedded Solutions Development is a 5-day course that combines two courses, MSDN 2530 & 2535. This class provides an introduction to the tools, technologies and development methods used to build custom software images using Windows CE .NET. Students will get an in-depth understanding of how to develop bootloaders, device drivers and OAL using one of Accelent's highly acclaimed IDP platforms. A detailed description of this course can be found at www.accelent.com/training/int ro.

-- Advanced Embedded Solutions Development is a 4-day advanced course in Microsoft Windows CE .NET development, MSDN 2540. Using one of Accelent's highly acclaimed IDP platforms, students will gain an in-depth understanding of implementing the advanced features for their embedded device by building and editing of bootloaders, device drivers and OAL. A detailed description of this course can be found at www.accelent.com/training/adv .

"Software Answers is very excited about our partnership with Accelent Systems," said Paul Chaffee, president of Software Answers. "As partners, we set out to create industry leading training courses, and that we have done. Mr. Chaffee continued by saying, "Using the Microsoft Windows CE .NET certified curriculum as a basis, we worked with Accelent's engineers to integrate their expertise and technologies into each class. Because so much time was spent on this knowledge transfer, our trainers will be well prepared to educate students with knowledge that can be used immediately; an invaluable asset in developing a product."

"The introduction of our training programs is another step to providing the ODM / OEM developer community with the products and services needed to gain significant time-to-market advantages over their competitors," said Albert McCabe, EVP of sales and marketing for Accelent Systems. "As the demand for embedded, mobile computing devices increases, and the number of organizations developing these devices increases, we wanted to offer courses that the industry could use to speed their development efforts while maintaining a high level of quality."

"Microsoft has seen strong industry adoption of Windows CE .NET by developers who are looking for a comprehensive tool set and reliable operating system," said Keith White, senior director of marketing for the Embedded and Appliance Platforms Group at Microsoft. "Programs from partners such as Accelent Systems and Software Answers provide our mutual customers with the latest training materials and hands-on experience to help them quickly build and bring to market the next generation of Windows CE .NET-based devices."

Pricing and Availability

Classes are scheduled to begin August 12, 2002 at Software Answers' training center in Akron, Ohio. The cost for either the introductory or advanced course is $2,700 USD per student. While currently only offering training programs in Akron, Accelent Systems will begin offering these courses and others in its Taiwan office and will conduct sessions at customer locations. Additional class dates, details and registration can be accessed at www.accelent.com/training.

About Software Answers

Software Answers is a Microsoft Certified Technical Education Center (CTEC) based in Akron, Ohio. Offering a full host of consulting and training services, Software Answers has been recognized for both the quality of its services and corresponding growth since being founded in 1994. Software Answers has been recognized as one of the top 10 web development firms in Northeast Ohio and received first place in the growth category on the 2002 COSE Business Plan Venture Quest Challenge. For more information, please see www.software-answers.com or call [phone].

About Accelent Systems

As a leading enabler of embedded devices and Gold-level member of Microsoft Windows Embedded Partner Program, Accelent Systems provides solutions for rapidly developing robust Microsoft Windows CE, Pocket PC, Smart Phone, Linux and ARM processor based products. With its system software, development platforms and professional services, Accelent provides its customers with a means to expedite time-to-market at less cost and risk than traditional development methods. For more information, visit Accelent at www.accelent.com.

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