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DownStream Technologies Announces Shipping Date of CAM350 Release 8.0

Latest version of highly-anticipated software receives enthusiastic reviews

Bolton, Mass – June 17, 2003 – DownStream Technologies, LLC announced it has targeted June 30, 2003 as the shipping date for CAM350 Release 8.0 to the 3600 installed users under current maintenance contracts. It also revealed a variety of promotions and discount incentives related to the release. CAM350 Release 8.0 is the first major release delivered to the market by DownStream Technologies since acquiring a source code license from Mentor Graphics in December of 2001. CAM350 is the acknowledged price/performance leader in delivering powerful fabrication software solutions to both the design and fabrication industries.

“The economic pressure placed on today’s technology companies is tremendous and that pressure has trickled down to PCB designers and fabrication shops,” said Rick Almeida, President of DownStream Technologies. “The enhancements contained in CAM350 Release 8.0 alleviate some of the pressure and will allow those groups to speed time-to-volume production,” he added.

CAM350 Release 8.0 features a variety of updates and modifications that have been enthusiastically received by the customers who tested the product and cited increased productivity and higher quality as major benefits. These enhancements include:

  • Graphical User Interface (GUI) – New GUI utilizes the latest Microsoft® style guides, giving software a modern, easy-to-use look and feel.

  • Graphical Netlist Comparison – Since the Netlist Comparison has become the key verification process between design and fabrication, Release 8.0 contains an enhanced netlist comparison process which allows users to view errors graphically instead of by producing text reports, reducing verification time.

  • Enhanced Error Verification – Release 8.0 allows the user to create a sortable Error Report that is linked to the graphical display. Users can view multiple errors or sort by feature type, feature size or error size, quickly verifying the results of any DRC or Analysis function.

  • Negative Plane Analysis – Release 8.0 enhancements identify potential connectivity errors such as isolated thermals, even when not completely cleared from copper as in the case of a manufacturer’s etching process, by simulating the etch process.

  • Performance Enhancements – Design for Fabrication (DFF) errors are now quickly identified and automatically repaired without user intervention. Barco Import and Polygon Pour – processes that are historically slow in CAM tools – have been improved 5 to 10x.

“When we set out to update CAM350, our goal was two-fold. First, we wanted to build on our leadership position by providing the mainstream market with an affordable solution that delivers unprecedented usability and performance. Second was to fulfill a commitment we made to our customers on maintenance by providing rich feature content and functionality with each release ” said Almeida. “By the reaction of users who participated in our pre-release testing, I believe we have done just that,” he added.

Limited Time Special Promotions

CAM350 Release 8.0 is the first major release of software fully defined, developed and delivered by DownStream Technologies since it acquired the source code license from Mentor Graphics. To celebrate this milestone, DownStream is offering many discount incentives for purchases placed prior to June 30, 2003. Details of these special promotions can be found on our web site.

Availability

CAM350 Release 8.0 will be provided at no additional charge to all existing DownStream Technologies’ customers with valid maintenance agreements. All other sales inquiries can be made via e-mail at sales@downstreamtech.com or by contacting one of DownStream’s local Value Added resellers (VARs).

About DownStream Technologies

DownStream Technologies’ CAM350 solution allows engineering and manufacturing teams to work together by supporting the verification of Printed Circuit Board (PCB) designs early in the product development process to ensure accurate and efficient manufacturing. CAM350 offers customers in the mainstream PCB marketplace significant price/performance value over alternative solutions. Customers can find out more about DownStream at www.downstreamtech.com.

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© 2003 DownStream Technologies, LLC. DownStream Technologies and CAM350 are trademarks of DownStream Technologies, LLC. All rights reserved. All other trademarks in this release are the property of their respective owners.