Embedded Computer Manufacturer Expands Sales Force; Names Robertson North Central Regional Sales Manager.

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 4, 1998--Ziatech Corp., the California-based embedded computer manufacturer that invented the rapidly growing CompactPCI computer standard, continued the expansion of its sales force by naming Russ Robertson its North Central regional sales manager.

Based in Chicago, Robertson's territory includes Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and parts of Pennsylvania.

"The wide base of experience that Russ Robertson brings to this position will be invaluable to both Ziatech and our customers," stated Jim Eckford, Ziatech's vice president of Marketing and Sales.

"There is tremendous growth potential in the embedded computer market in this region. We are committed to supporting this marketplace and are thrilled to have him on board."

Robertson has been working with regional rep firms in the Illinois-Wisconsin market for the past 10 years, specializing in selling industrial computer products and related technologies. In 1994, he founded Access Technical Sales. He has been representing the Ziatech product line for five years.

"This new position will allow me to concentrate exclusively on Ziatech products," said Robertson. "My goal will be to coordinate sales development and technical support between the factory and the established rep force, and to develop relationships with major accounts."

Prior to his rep experience, Robertson was the general manager at Ultrascience, a Systems Integrator/OEM specializing in laboratory management and control, from 1984-1988. He was responsible for changing the company's focus from direct end-user sales to volume OEM and system integrator sales.

He was co-founder of the OS-9 Independent Software Developer's Consortium and co-developer of the PC-68K and PC-68K2, Motorola 68K family processor-based, real-time co-processors for the IBM PC and compatibles. During that time, he was the monthly author of several columns dealing with system design and performance studies for the AMUS Journal.

Raised in the Chicago area, Robertson received a bachelor of arts degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing from Roosevelt University's Heller College of Business in 1983. His continuing education has included the Miller-Heiman Strategic Selling Method, Dale Carnegie Sales Training and the Wilson Learning Center's Psychology of Sales Development Program.

Robertson, 42, has been married for 19 years and has three daughters, ages 14, 11 and 9. He is a certified American Red Cross Responder and CPR/First Aid Trainer. He is also a National Archery Association-certified Archery Instructor and ABEE certified Experiential Education Adventure Facilitator.

Ziatech is an ISO 9001-certified company that manufactures embedded computers based on two standards, the STD 32 Bus and CompactPCI bus. Ziatech created these standards, and offers the industry's most comprehensive product offerings of both STD 32 and CompactPCI.

These embedded computer standards utilize Intel-type processors, run a variety of PC operating systems (DOS, Windows NT, QNX, VxWorks) and provide a reliable computing architecture for OEMs automating telecommunications, data communications and industrial automation applications.

Ziatech partners with SCI, the world's largest contract manufacturer of electronics, to manufacture its computer products. With headquarters in San Luis Obispo, on California's Central Coast, Ziatech operates a worldwide network of representatives and distributors, with sales offices throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. Ziatech was established in 1976.

NOTE TO EDITORS: To receive possible photos accompanying this story, contact Phil Nash at 805/782-4500, ext. 6036; [e-mail]. On the Internet, visit the company on the World Wide Web at http://www.ziatech.com.

    CONTACT:  Ziatech Corp., San Luis Obispo
               Phil Nash, 805/782-4500, ext. 6036