Altera's Atlas Service Offers 24-Hour Internet Access to Design Solutions; 24 Hours A Day, 7 Days A Week Technical Support; Atlas Solutions Knowledge-Base Now Available On-line.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 3, 1997--Altera Corporation (NASDAQ: ALTR) today launched the Altera Technical Support (Atlas) service, a no-cost 24-hour, web-based service offering engineers technical support for Altera devices and the MAX+PLUS II development system. Created by Altera's own customer support engineers, the Atlas service is based on solutions derived from the more than 50,000 technical questions the company answered in 1996.

Because it is web-based, the Atlas service will be available around-the-clock to bring improved technical support to customers -- particularly those in Asia and Europe -- who find it inconvenient to call during technical support operating hours. The service enables customers to search for technical articles, solve tough problems using the Atlas Solutions knowledge-base, view design examples, and check Altera hardware and software training opportunities. The Atlas service was designed not only for ease-of-use, but to enable customers to help shape the service. Customers can use the Atlas service to give feedback, ask for clarification on an existing solution, or send a new question to the technical support staff. "Atlas provides our customers with a first line of defense for solving tough engineering problems 24 hours a day, seven days a week," said Craig Lytle, Altera's director of applications and product planning.

Atlas Solutions Knowledge-Base

At the heart of the Atlas service is Atlas Solutions, a knowledge-base of information gleaned from the over 50,000 support inquiries Altera receives every year. This knowledge-base can be searched simply by entering a question, or by using key words. Altera also provides a means for customers to enter their own modifications to the knowledge-base to help clarify and expand solutions. These solutions provide information for all Altera device families, the MAX+PLUS II development system, third-party tools, and third-party programming hardware.

"For years, our applications engineers used word-of- mouth to share their knowledge of customer solutions with each other," said Mr. Lytle. "As we grew, this became inefficient so we created a knowledge-base for internal use and to help train new engineers. Now, Atlas Solutions enables us to share this growing body of information directly with our customers through the Internet."

Availability

The Atlas service is the newest resource in Altera's extensive global technical support program, which includes field service, fax, telephone, and on-line assistance. Atlas can be easily accessed on Altera's world-wide web site at http://www.altera.com . It is offered as a no-cost service to all Altera customers who have a current software maintenance agreement.

About Altera

Altera Corporation, founded in 1983, is a world-wide leader in high-performance, high-density programmable logic devices and associated computer aided engineering (CAE) logic development tools. Programmable logic devices are semiconductor chips that offer on-site programmability to customers. The chips are programmed using tools that run on personal computers or engineering workstations. User benefits include ease of use, lower risk, and fast time-to-market. The Company offers the broadest line of CMOS programmable logic devices that address high-speed, high-density, and lower power applications. Altera products serve a broad range of markets, including telecommunications, data communications, computers, and industrial applications. Altera common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market using the symbol ALTR. More information on Altera can be obtained on the World-Wide Web at http://www.altera.com . -0-

Note to Editors: Altera, Atlas, MAX+PLUS, and MAX+PLUS II are trademarks and/or service marks of Altera Corporation in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

CONTACTS: Altera Corporation

Robert K. Beachler, 408/894-7187

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Cain Communications

Susan Cain, 408/341-8960