CyberMedia announces partnership with Macromedia; Macromedia will use CyberMedia's Oil Change technology to automatically update software on the Internet.

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 30, 1996--CyberMedia, maker of First Aid 95, Tuesday announced a partnership with Macromedia Inc. to use CyberMedia's Oil Change technology and the Internet to provide fast, automatic updates of Macromedia's multimedia development software.

Oil Change is the first software product that gives personal computers a "digital oil change" by automatically updating Microsoft Windows 95 software over the Internet. Oil Change builds a profile of the version numbers of all software (and hardware "drivers") installed on a PC, then reaches out on the Internet to compare this list to CyberMedia's continually changing database of new updates.

With permission, necessary updates are automatically downloaded and installed. A trial version of Oil Change is now available free on CyberMedia's web site: http://www.cybermedia.com.

"As Macromedia's customer base grows, developing systems and automation to assist our customers, increase their satisfaction, and save money becomes an increasingly challenging task," said Ed Krimen, Macromedia Technical Support Manager. "CyberMedia's Oil Change provides Macromedia and our customers an additional tool that enables our customers to get product updates as soon as they're ready to go -- right off the Web!"

"The Oil Change Medallion Partner program benefits everyone in the computer industry," said Unni Warrier, president and CEO of CyberMedia. "PC users get the latest features for the software they already own, and software and hardware companies get reduced tech support costs."

Macromedia joins a list of announced Oil Change partners including Cardinal Technologies Inc., Quarterdeck Inc., Software Publishing Corp. and Pure Data Ltd. CyberMedia also recently announced a strategic partnership with Packard Bell NEC.

Benefits of Becoming a Medallion Partner

A large percentage of tech support calls result in the user needing to obtain an updated software patch or driver. Since Oil Change provides software updates over the Internet, participation can potentially save vendors millions of dollars by reducing technical support costs. This also increases customer satisfaction by ensuring that customers receive updates quickly, without the need to call tech support.

Oil Change Pricing And Availability

The beta version 2.0 of Oil Change is now available free of charge on CyberMedia's Web site. This beta will be continually updated to the newest version when the Update button in the product is clicked. The retail version will begin shipping through distribution channels in September at a suggested list price around $50, and a downloadable version will be available via the Internet for around $30. The purchase price includes a one-year unlimited use subscription.

About CyberMedia

CyberMedia develops and markets self-help products and services that provide automatic service and support to personal computer users. Products include First Aid 95, First Aid 95 Deluxe, First Aid 95 Deluxe Network Edition, Oil Change and the Tech Support Yellow Pages.

Founded in 1991, CyberMedia is privately held with company headquarters at: 3000 Ocean Park Blvd., Suite 2001, Santa Monica, Calif. Phone: [phone]. To order, call 800-PC-1ST-AID (800/721-7824) or visit the CyberMedia Web site and select "Buy First Aid."

For additional information on CyberMedia products, visit the CyberMedia Web Site at http://www.cybermedia.com, America Online forum (keyword: CYBERMEDIA) or CompuServe forum (GO CYBERMEDIA).

CONTACT: CyberMedia, Santa Monica

Giselle Bisson, 310/581-4700

[e-mail] (e-mail)

or

Capital Relations

Tina Bradford

805/494-0800

[e-mail] (e-mail)