CMS Peripherals Adds USB to Acclaimed Notebook Backup Solution; USB Makes Automatic Backup Fast, Easy and Hot-Pluggable for Notebook Users.

Business Editors and High-Tech Writers

COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 4, 2000

CMS Peripherals(R), the industry's leading provider of cost-effective and reliable mass storage solutions for portable computers, announced today the expansion of their highly acclaimed Automatic Backup System(TM) (ABS) for notebook users. The USB backup solution delivers up to 1.5 Mbytes/second performance, offering Windows(R) 98 and 2000 users a stable, high data throughput for backup, additional storage and recovery of files. The USB interface makes the solution hot pluggable for desktop and notebook computers. The ABS units mount and launch backups automatically as soon as connected. Available mid April 2000, the USB solutions will come in two forms a base station designed for the small office and a portable version designed for transportability.

The new ABS is designed to meet the needs of the growing number of road warriors who require removable data backup and storage with the convenience of USB. According to the Yankee Group, a Boston, MA-based consulting firm, the number of notebook users is expected to grow from 2.6 million in 1992 to 36.6 million in 2002, a ten-fold increase. The rapidly expanding demand for notebooks translates to increased demand by users for notebook peripherals, including portable backup solutions.

For mobile users, one of the key benefits of having an Automatic Backup System will be the ability to back up their data while on the road and be able to share data with the desktop computer. Portable computers store data that is often more time-sensitive than the data stored on office networks. As a result, data backup becomes even more important. CMS Peripherals' Automatic Backup System intelligently backs up only modified files saving mobile users valuable time and battery power.

"The new ABS with USB expands the capabilities of today's business travelers," said Ken Burke, president of CMS Peripherals. "By providing mobile users with a high-performance, removable storage and backup solution that's also compact and easy-to-use, road warriors have a fast, reliable way of protecting their data."

Availability

The Automatic Backup System is available mid April 2000 in capacities of 6GB, 12GB and 18GB for the notebook as well as 13GB and 27GB capacities for the desktop. Estimated street prices (ESP) start at $389. Solutions are available through major distributors, corporate resellers, mail order and direct from the company's website, www.cmsproducts.com.

About CMS Products

With more than three million CMS storage solutions installed in over 90 countries, the complete line of CMS mass storage products includes hard disk drives, hard drive upgrade kits, service center upgrade kits, data transfer and backup products for notebooks and 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' website at www.cmsproducts.com.

CMS Peripherals, Inc. is a registered trademark. Automatic Backup System (ABS) is a trademark of CMS. Any other product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.