Synchronicity Releases DesignSync DFII: Front to Back Data Management for Cadence Users.

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 25, 1999--

First Product Developed In Cadence-Synchronicity Technology

Alliance Allows Management of Cadence Layout and Schematic Data

Consistent with Rest of ASIC & SOC Design Flows

Synchronicity Inc., the leading supplier of web-based design and project management GroupWare for application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and system-on-chip (SOC) design teams, today announced the availability of DesignSync(r) DFII(tm), the first "front-to-back" data management solution for users of Cadence Design Systems, Inc.'s popular IC product line.

DesignSync DFII is the first and only IC design data management system that allows the layout and schematic design processes to use the same data management tools as the rest of the integrated circuit (IC) design flow, thereby creating a uniform data management solution. It is the first Synchronicity product to flow from a previously announced technology alliance with Cadence, and is supported on the 4.4x and above release of the Cadence Design Framework.

Managing Cadence Data over the Web

The Cadence custom design environment includes design capture and layout, and also offers such features as Skill extension language and database access. It is bundled with many of the Cadence core editors, such as Composer schematic capture, Analog Artist design system, and Virtuoso layout tools. Synchronicity's DesignSync DFII is tightly integrated with this environment. It appears as an additional menu within the editors, from which all data management and library management functions can be performed.

In the past, Cadence included a limited-functionality, proprietary data management capability embedded within applications built upon the Cadence Design Framework. While convenient, proprietary data management was insufficient to manage the design data for the entire design process, from concept to tapeout, not just layout and schematics. DesignSync DFII was designed specifically to address these requirements.

DesignSync DFII is implemented through a combination of Synchronicity technology interfacing to standard Cadence database application programming interfaces (APIs), allowing management of design data from within Design Framework-based editors to be managed using Synchronicity's web-based client-server architecture. Additionally, DesignSync DFII includes a Skill-based implementation enabling management of Cadence data outside the Cadence environment.

With the emergence of the Internet and the World Wide Web as primary communications vehicles, a new challenge has been created for the management and distribution of designs developed with Design Framework-based applications. Since DesignSync DFII uses the same web-centric client-server architecture that underlies all Synchronicity products, it offers the same access, visibility, security, access control, and ease of use afforded by all Synchronicity products.

An important application of the technology delivered in DesignSync DFII is support for geographically dispersed design teams. Due to the general shortage of talented SOC designers, many design organizations have resorted to hiring project team members wherever they can find them, not just in the town where the design project is centrally located. DesignSync DFII's web-centric nature allows remote team members to enjoy the same security and features, whether they are in the next cubicle, or across the ocean.

"The increasing complexity of the IC design process, coupled with shrinking market windows, has made design management a first-order concern. While our longtime approach to management of design data within the Cadence Design Framework has worked well for users, it didn't address the rest of the design process," said Mike Gianfagna, vice president of marketing for Cadence's custom IC business unit. "Recently, many of our customers have expressed interest in seeing a consistent design management strategy for all data and tools within the custom IC design process. We're pleased to see Synchronicity offering this capability with their web-based tools, and we support it whole-heartedly."

Leading semiconductor companies relying on DesignSync have already realized design management improvements that have resulted in decreased time to market. "Our design teams are spread out around the world and this presents major challenges in managing the design flow," said Mike LaBouff, corporate CAD manager at Cypress Semiconductor. "Now, DesignSync DFII provides us with a single design management solution to meet the challenges of designing in a web-based world."

About DesignSync

DesignSync is the anchor of Synchronicity's IC design management tool suite. It uses integrated revision control and design configuration management to enable project development teams to collaborate effectively and efficiently on ASIC and IC designs. Built on a web-based client server architecture, DesignSync(r) makes possible real-time collaboration among geographically dispersed design teams. It integrates easily with existing tool flows and project directory structures. DesignSync(r) is available on UNIX and NT platforms.

About Synchronicity

Synchronicity was founded with the mission to supply Internet/Intranet-based Design and Project Management GroupWare products to corporations employing integrated circuit and system-on-chip (SOC) technologies. Its product families combine the collaborative capabilities of Web-based GroupWare with proven design information and project management technologies to enable the efficient creation and reuse of electronic design information and intellectual property. Corporate headquarters are located at 201 Forest Street, Marlboro, Mass. 01752, [phone]. Synchronicity's web site is located at http://www.syncinc.com .

Note to Editors: Synchronicity acknowledges trademarks or registered trademarks of other organizations for their respective products and services.