Announcing the shipment of OrCAD Express for Windows NT; Supports Xilinx, Altera, Lattice, Actel, and Vantis devices.

BEAVERTON, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 19, 1997--OrCAD(R) (NASDAQ:OCAD), the world's leading provider of EDA software for the Intel(R)/Microsoft platform, today announced first-customer shipment of OrCAD Express(TM) for Windows NT(R). Express is the first-of-its-kind design solution: It integrates VHDL, schematic, and mixed-mode design entry, simulation, and synthesis into a single application for under $5,000. Express comes complete with a custom version of Esperan's popular VHDL tutorial on CD-ROM. This tutorial will be key for the vast number of engineers whom Dataquest projects will adopt the VHDL design methodology over the next three years.

With OrCAD Express, engineers can design board-level systems with field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs) from OrCAD Solution Partners Xilinx, Altera, Lattice Semiconductor, Actel, and Vantis.

"Xilinx is enthusiastic about the release of OrCAD Express," stated Umesh Bhat, marketing manager of strategic alliances for Xilinx. "We believe this product will offer significant advantages to designers who are looking for an affordable and easy path to an integrated FPGA and board-level design solution."

Phil Winterbottom, researcher at AT&T Bell Labs, said, "I've used OrCAD schematic tools for a number of years and like them very much. So when I got the chance to test-drive the new Express product, I snapped it up. I finally have a completely integrated solution for my EDA needs with one-stop shopping. The literature on Express made this promise and I was not disappointed."

Winterbottom continued, "I have successfully completed one of the largest and most complex designs I have attempted. Express allowed me to smoothly mix VHDL and schematics for FPGAs from several vendors, without having to learn any other tools. I was even able to share VHDL source files with Synopsys synthesis software to optimize a particularly fast CPLD. OrCAD Express is a versatile product at an unbelievably affordable price."

"With the shipment of Express and the recent sale of our 200,000th product, OrCAD has achieved two remarkable milestones," said Mike Bosworth, OrCAD's president, CEO, and chairman. "Since 1985, OrCAD has served designers the world over with easy-to-use, affordable EDA software. With OrCAD Express, they can now move to the next level of technology -- VHDL-based system and programmable logic design on Windows NT."

Availability and Price

OrCAD Express for Windows NT is available immediately at $4,995 (U.S.). OrCAD customers who own the OrCAD FPGA Designer Pak(TM) will receive OrCAD Express free of charge; attractive upgrade options for other OrCAD customers are also available.

For engineering groups standardizing on Windows NT for EDA, OrCAD's newly formed Professional Services Group can provide education, on-site training, process consulting, software implementation, and legacy data migration services.

For more information and a Free Demo CD, contact OrCAD DIRECT in North America at 800/671-9505. Outside of North America, email [e-mail]. Free Demo CDs are also available from OrCAD's web site at http://www.orcad.com .

About OrCAD

Founded in 1985, OrCAD is the world's leading provider of EDA software for the Intel/Microsoft platform, with over 200,000 products sold to date. OrCAD develops, markets, and supports 32-bit Windows design software that improves designers' productivity in developing field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), and printed circuit boards (PCBs).

OrCAD's corporate headquarters are located at 9300 S.W. Nimbus Avenue, Beaverton, Oregon 97008. For investor and company information call 503/672-4726; fax requests to 503/671-9501; or visit OrCAD's web site at http://www.orcad.com .

Notes:

Except for the historical information, some of the matters discussed in this press release may be forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including the timely development and market acceptance of new products and upgrades to existing products, the impact of competitive products and pricing, economic conditions, and other risks detailed from time to time in the company's SEC reports. These factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in any forward-looking statements. -0-

OrCAD is a registered trademark and all OrCAD product names are trademarks of OrCAD, Inc. Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation. Microsoft, Windows, and Windows NT are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

CONTACT: Alliance Group

Jean Armstrong, 503/293-5723

[e-mail]

or

OrCAD

Abbie Kendall, 503/671-9500

[e-mail]

or

OrCAD DIRECT Sales: 800-671-9505

Internet: http://www.orcad.com

Email: [e-mail]

Instant Information Via Fax: [phone]