Softex OmniPass Application Supports Atmel's Trusted Platform Module.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 14, 2003

This unparalleled combination of software and hardware enhances

the user's experience to provide convenient security that cannot be

achieved with software solutions alone.

Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq:ATML) and Softex(R) Incorporated announced today that Softex has ported their suite of security and user access applications to achieve a higher level of security enabled by Atmel's Trusted Platform Module (TPM). The combination of Softex's OmniPass software application with the Atmel TPM dramatically improves the overall security level within a computing environment, ranging from PCs to mobile phones. Existing software applications can easily utilize the TPM for improved security by adhering to common industry cryptographic Application Program Interfaces (APIs). Atmel's TPM serves as a secure key management device, providing real hardware security at an affordable price point.

Atmel's TPM, the AT97SC3201, is the industry's first production TPM complying with the Trusted Computing Group (TCG) specifications. As a secure key manager, the TPM is able to protect the user's OmniPass passwords. The AT97SC3201 is a member of Atmel's family of embedded security products and part of Atmel's broader security portfolio. For the past 20 years, Atmel has applied its extensive knowledge base and IP in the silicon security market place to create innovative custom and industry standard products, such as secure microcontrollers, CryptoMemory(R) and FingerChip(TM).

"One of TCG's goals is to improve the level of security and enhance the end user's experience across a wide variety of platforms," said Nancy Sumrall, TCG Marketing Work Group Chairperson. "Softex's support of the TCG market will help promote wider validation and acceptance within the overall marketplace by providing innovative applications end users and administrators desire, while helping to build out the overall TCG infrastructure."

Softex Incorporated, a worldwide leader of system software for PCs, offers the most comprehensive solutions for PCs running the Windows(R) operating systems. OmniPass is designed to reduce the cost and complexity of managing the multiple passwords that exist in today's computing environments while securing the data stored on the machine. OmniPass allows files and folders to be encrypted for enhanced data security.

With OmniPass, a user creates a single master password that is used to "replace" all other passwords. The first time a password-secured website or application is used, the user simply enters the original password and then tells OmniPass to "remember that password." From that point forward, anytime that website or application is used again, OmniPass will prompt the user to enter the user's master password and access to that site or application is automatically granted. With OmniPass, the user only has to remember a single master password that reduces the number of lost passwords and the costs associated with managing passwords.

"The Atmel choice was a solid decision. Their flagship TPM product line helped us to add a level of hardware security to our suite of applications and align our product offerings to the TCG standards. The porting of the application went smoothly with both engineering teams focused on the outcome," commented Gregg Philipson, VP-Sales for Softex Incorporated. "The TCG standards are at the forefront of enabling affordable hardware security in a variety of computing platforms. By working with Atmel and its embedded security products team, Softex will be able to make its highly regarded products even more enticing to OEMs and end users. By leveraging TPM hardware security, we can increase the value our innovative security and access applications have to the end user."

"Atmel is pleased to be working with innovative companies such as Softex in strengthening the TCG infrastructure," said Kevin Schutz, product line manager for security products at Atmel. "Softex recognizes the benefit of leveraging the TPM for improving platform security while still providing innovative applications the marketplace is requesting."

Atmel is the leading TPM supplier in the world and is actively working to provide synergistic support of its wide security product portfolio to the market. More details on the Softex applications capable of supporting Atmel's range of security products, such as CryptoMemory will be announced later this year. Atmel's TPM and Softex's applications are available on a variety of Intel(R) reference platforms today.

The OmniPass application and the AT97SC3201 TPM are available now. TPM development kits are available to qualified customers. Atmel's TPM pricing is less than $5.00 in volume. Contact Atmel and Softex for more information.

About Atmel

Founded in 1984, Atmel Corporation is headquartered in San Jose, Calif., with manufacturing facilities in North America and Europe. Atmel designs, manufactures and markets worldwide, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and RF semiconductors. Atmel is also a leading provider of system-level integration semiconductor solutions using CMOS, BiCMOS, SiGe, and high-voltage BCDMOS process technologies.

About Softex Incorporated

Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, Softex has become a leading provider of computer security products and services. Softex serves many of the top tier OEM companies, such as IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Fujitsu, Gateway and Samsung, as well as many hardware vendors such as 3Com, Adaptec, TDK and SMC. Softex Incorporated is one of Inc. Magazine's "Top 500 Fastest Growing Private Companies" in the United States.

As a leading provider of engineering software solutions, Softex is focused in two major areas, Security Products and Engineering Services. Softex offers a total solution to its customers, which result in lower engineering costs, reduced resource requirements, and, a "quicker time to market." Softex is a "Trusted Partner" with Phoenix Technologies for BIOS related software development. Softex is a distributor of both Phoenix and Award BIOS. This means that customers can work directly with Softex for their total BIOS solutions.

About TCG

The Trusted Computing Group (TCG) will develop open building blocks and common interfaces for multiple computing platforms, including PCs, personal digital assistants and servers. For more information see http://www.trustedcomputinggroup.org/.

Atmel, the Atmel logo and CryptoMemory are registered trademarks of Atmel Corporation. FingerChip is a trademark of Atmel Corporation. Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Softex is a registered trademark of Softex Incorporated. Other terms and product names may be the trademarks of others.

Information

Atmel's product information may be retrieved at http://www.atmel.com/products/Embedded/. Softex's product information may be retrieved at www.softexinc.com.