CMS Partners with Softex to Announce the First Pocket-Size Automatic Notebook Backup with Full Windows NT 4.0 Plug-and-Play Compatibility.

Business Editors/High Tech Writers

COMDEX Fall 2000

Booth No. L7362

COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 14, 2000

CMS Peripherals(R) partnered with Softex Inc. today to announce full plug and play Windows NT(TM) compatibility with CMS' line of Automatic Backup Systems (ABS) with PCMCIA interface.

The custom software designed by Softex, will enable Windows NT notebook users to backup their laptops; share files between their desktop, notebook and workgroup; as well as save entire applications, files and generations of files on a 6GB to 30GB, portable hard drive the size of a deck of cards.

According to a recent study by International Data Corp. (IDC), as much as 40 percent of today's workforce is mobile or remote. As a result, many corporations are supplying employees with notebooks; most relying on Windows NT to ensure file compatibility between the notebooks and the enterprise.

The customized Softex PC Card Controller is one of the industry's few, but most comprehensive PC Card software solution for the Windows NT Operating System. The Windows NT operating system does not provide support for plug-and-play PC cards. In the mobile product space, PC Card support is essential. Upon insertion into the host computer, the Softex PC Card Controller(TM) gives Windows NT users the ability to experience the same auto-launch backup enjoyed by CMS' ABS users relying on Windows 95B/98/Me or 2000 operating systems for a more complete removable mass storage and system backup plan.

"The advantage of the CMS Peripherals' ABS is its ability to attach an actual hard drive directly to the PC Card of a notebook providing the user with access to unparalleled storage capacity," said Gregg Philipson, director of business development for Softex Inc. "Our software makes it possible to extend the ABS's plug-and-play compatibility to the many NT users in today's market."

"Since launching our first ABS in 1999, we have received numerous requests for a more 'hands-free' version for the mobile NT market which is growing by several thousand users per year," said Ken Burke, president of CMS Peripherals. "Because of our cooperative effort to develop this compact, comprehensive, 'no-hands' notebook backup solution in a Windows NT version, Softex and CMS have created a new market niche and opened the door to offer additional mobile automatic backup and removable mass storage solutions for NT users."

About the size of a deck of playing cards, the compact ABS provides Windows 95B/98/NT/Me and 2000 mobile users with the ability to back up their notebook hard drive while on the road. A fully self-contained unit, the ABS requires no cables or power supplies. The ABS backup software stores data in "Native File Format," which means it is always available even when the backup program is not resident on the host notebook. When an ABS is plugged into another notebook the unit is recognized simply as an additional hard drive, with all your data available.

Availability

The Automatic Backup System for the notebooks with PCMCIA interface is available now in capacities of 6GB, 10GB, 12GB, 20GB and 30GB capacities with a 3-year warranty. Estimated street prices (ESP) start at $379. Solutions are available through major distributors, corporate resellers, mail order and direct from the company's Web site, www.cmsproducts.com.

About Softex

Founded in 1992, Softex Inc. is a leading supplier of system level software for personal computers and workstations. Softex ranked 11th on the list of the fastest growing privately held companies sponsored by the Austin Business Journal, a well known and respected business publication in Austin, Texas. With headquarters in Austin, Softex Inc. also provides system software development services to top-tier personal computer manufacturers with support for Windows 95/98/CE/NT Embedded/NT 4.0 and 2000 operating systems.

For more information on products and services, contact: Softex, Inc. at: 9300 Jollyville Road, Austin, TX 78757. Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] or visit the company's Web site at: www.softexinc.com.

About CMS Products

With more than three million CMS storage solutions installed in more than 90 countries, the complete line of CMS mass storage products includes backup products for notebooks, notebook hard drive upgrades and data transfer kits as well as high capacity desktop hard drives. For more information, contact CMS Peripherals Inc., 3095 Redhill Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone] or visit CMS' Web site at www.cmsproducts.com.

Note To Editors: CMS Peripherals Inc. is a registered trademark. Automatic Backup System (ABS) and EasyMove are trademarks of CMS. Any other product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.