Aprisa, Inc. Introduces CircuitNet v3.1, Hardware Engineer Discovery; CircuitNet's Component Database for Engineers Now Contains Over 2.5 Million Active Electronic Component Records.

Business Editors

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 1, 2001

Web-based engineering service provider Aprisa, Inc. (www.theCubicle.com) today announced the availability of v3.1 of CircuitNet(TM) -- an online research and design environment that helps hardware engineers shorten their discovery phase of product development.

Among other enhancements, CircuitNet 3.1 has increased the online component database to over 1.3 million orderable part numbers for active electronic components with detailed attributes and datasheets, and 2.5 million records covering all valid configurations.

The latest version of CircuitNet -- the Web-based discovery application that takes electronics engineers from product concept to schematic tools -- allows users to import and export block diagrams they create in CircuitNet to Microsoft(R) Visio(R) and allows users to save their design summaries, design audits and other files created using CircuitNet in either HTML or XML formats. CircuitNet 3.1 also includes new "fuzzy logic" alternate-part search capability to help engineers find close functional matches to a given component.

"CircuitNet is a great resource that will speed engineers through the first stages of product development," said Hank Macchio, chief executive officer of UC Wireless, a manufacturer of devices for wireless networks. "This application can significantly increase design engineering productivity."

According to Bryan Bitticks, area technical manager and national communication advocate for semiconductor manufacturer Infineon Technologies, whose product line is represented in the CircuitNet database, "CircuitNet is the holy grail, an extraordinary resource for technical information that we see as a great marketing channel for Infineon."

CircuitNet gives hardware engineers a complete Web-based discovery environment, including a comprehensive, unbiased XML database of active components, as well as a vast library of downloadable product datasheets and reference designs. CircuitNet also offers a patent-pending, parametric search engine that enables users to locate components by attributes and design requirements as well as by orderable part numbers. In addition, the application features a suite of design tools that lets engineers build block diagrams, test component compatibility, view side-by-side comparisons of similar parts from various vendors and generate comprehensive design-summary reports detailing all work completed in CircuitNet -- resulting in a tremendous time-and-effort savings.

"CircuitNet has been very well received by both OEMs and silicon manufacturers. We believe Aprisa has created a product of value to the electronic industry," said Martin Shum, Aprisa's founder and chief executive officer. "In today's tight capital market, companies are looking for tools that can help increase engineers' productivity and create product differentiation. CircuitNet scores well in both areas. But we're always looking for ways to enhance this revolutionary product, and the best way is to listen to what our customers have to say."

Aprisa hosts CircuitNet at its Web site, www.theCubicle.com, selling subscriptions to its design-acceleration environment to original equipment manufacturers and engineers.

For information on pricing and availability of CircuitNet, please contact Aprisa Sales, at 805-495-8177, ext. 230.

About Aprisa, Inc.

Aprisa Inc., (www.theCubicle.com) is a Web-based engineering service provider whose mission is to speed product to market by enabling a fast and thorough design discovery process. Aprisa applies its patent-pending rules-based search engine and discovery environment to theCubicle.com to allow electronics engineers to conceptualize designs and find, evaluate and select mission critical technology. Aprisa is based in Westlake Village, CA. For more information, visit www.theCubicle.com.