Camstar Offers 100 Percent XML-Enabled Manufacturing Performance Management System; Camstar's InSite Technology Awarded the Microsoft .NET Connected Logo.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

CAMPBELL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 1, 2003

Camstar, a leading provider of manufacturing performance management systems, today announced that its award-winning solution InSite(TM) has qualified for the Microsoft(R).NET Connected Logo. This certification recognizes Camstar's thorough adoption of Web services in deploying a 100 percent XML-enabled manufacturing execution system.

"In today's technology marketplace, software companies must ensure that customers can quickly realize a rapid return on investment from new technology," said Lynn Cafferty, Microsoft's .NET Connected Logo product manager. "By taking full advantage of Microsoft's .NET-connected technologies, Camstar has clearly demonstrated that it has the expertise to integrate quickly with existing enterprise applications and deliver the highly functional and reliable solutions demanded by today's enterprise customers."

In addition to facilitating application integration with ERP and other enterprise systems, the Microsoft .NET Framework also allows a degree of rapid customization not typically seen in enterprise applications. Camstar's Web Forms Builder introduces new palettes of Web service-linked Camstar visual controls into Microsoft's Visual Studio development environment to allow rapid 'drag and drop' modification of InSite's Web-based user interface, even by non-programmers.

"Qualifying for a .NET Connected Logo is a significant step for Camstar and a great benefit to our customers," said Scott Jones, Camstar's vice president of engineering. "The Microsoft .NET Framework has accelerated our product integration efforts and is enabling us to quickly and cost-effectively create solutions that meet the diverse needs of global manufacturers in a number of industries."

About Camstar Systems, Inc.

Headquartered in Campbell, California, Camstar is a leading provider of manufacturing performance management systems for life sciences, semiconductor, electronics and other global industrial manufacturers. Camstar's InSite(TM) product suite extends traditional manufacturing execution systems (MES) to monitor and synchronize manufacturing activities across globally distributed plants, and integrates them in real-time core business processes. The system enables customers to respond rapidly to changing demand, optimize the use of production assets and quickly ramp the production of new products. More than 100 leading companies, including IBM, Corning, Kodak, Hitachi, Lexmark, ALZ Steel and La-Z-Boy, rely on Camstar as a trusted software partner. For more information about Camstar visit www.camstar.com.