KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. and TAIPEI, TAIWAN, April 1, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- VIA Technologies, Inc., a leading innovator and developer of silicon chip technologies and PC platform solutions, and Neoware Systems, Inc., (NASDAQ:NWRE) the leading supplier of award-winning software, services and appliances for the thin client market, today announced a partnership to develop future generations of thin client appliances based on VIA's award winning embedded solutions.
The collaboration extends to the research and development of innovative new PC-alternative platforms that address the security, manageability, reliability and cost issues inherent in standard personal computer designs. Forging together proven VIA solutions with Neoware's market leading thin client software expertise, the two companies will focus on driving future innovation solutions for enterprise customers.
"We are extremely pleased and excited about taking our relationship with Neoware to the next level," said Wen-Chi Chen, President of VIA Technologies, Inc. "This strategic alliance is a significant component of the Spearhead Platform Initiative within our Embedded Platform Division. We believe that with Neoware's thin client expertise and significant growth opportunities, we can accelerate the introduction of solutions that address what we believe will be a fundamental shift in the PC marketplace toward thin client solutions."
Neoware is a recognized leader in thin client solutions, a segment of the PC market whose growth is projected by industry analysts to significantly outpace the PC industry as a whole. This growth can be attributed to enterprises increasingly turning to thin clients to solve the security, manageability, reliability and cost issues inherent in large, distributed networks of personal computers. Neoware provides its customers with global expertise in the thin client market, flexibility and cost savings through the use of open, standards-based technologies, and a philosophy of building obsolescence out of its products, in part through partnerships with leading providers like VIA.
"The thin client segment of the PC market is projected to experience significant growth in coming years," commented Michael Kantrowitz, Chairman and CEO of Neoware Systems, Inc., "By partnering with VIA, Neoware can provide superior thin client software on superior thin client platforms. VIA's long term commitment to the embedded market will enable Neoware to continue to deliver thin client appliance products with greater reliability, security and manageability, together with superior performance."
"VIA is committed to the thin client segment of the PC market where our unique combination of power-efficiency, performance and security features can meet the individual needs of enterprise customers," said Steven S. Lee, Head of the VIA Embedded Platform Division, VIA Technologies, Inc. "Our partnership with Neoware is testimony to our commitment to and growing success in the thin client space."
About Neoware Systems, Inc.
Neoware provides software, services, and solutions to enable Appliance Computing, a proven Internet-based computing architecture targeted at business customers that is designed to be simpler and easier than traditional PC-based computing. Neoware's software and management tools power and manage a new generation of smart computing appliances that utilize the benefits of open, industry-standard technologies to create new alternatives to personal computers used in business and a wide variety of proprietary business devices.
Neoware's products are designed to run local applications for specific vertical markets, plus allow access across a network to multi-user Windows servers, Linux servers, mainframes, minicomputers, and the Internet. Computing appliances that run and are managed by Neoware's software offer the cost benefits of industry-standard hardware and software, easier installation, and have lower up-front, maintenance, and administrative costs than proprietary or PC-based alternatives.
More information about Neoware can be found on the Web at http://www.neoware.com or via email at invest@neoware.com. Neoware is based in King of Prussia, PA.
About VIA Technologies, Inc.
VIA Technologies, Inc. (TSE 2388) is the foremost fabless supplier of market-leading core logic chipsets, low power x86 processors, advanced connectivity, multimedia, networking and storage silicon, and complete platform solutions that are driving system innovation in the PC and embedded markets. Headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, VIA's global network links the high tech centers of the US, Europe and Asia, and its customer base includes the world's top OEMs, motherboard vendors and system integrators. www.via.com.tw
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding: Neoware's plans to deploy VIA's products in our thin client appliances; Neoware's position as the leading supplier of software, products, services and solutions for the Appliance Computing market; and the benefits of our software-focused business model allowing customers to lower ongoing costs of ownership. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted in any such forward-looking statement include market acceptance of our thin client products, pricing pressures, rapid technological changes in the industry, growth of the Appliance Computing market, increased competition, our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, adverse changes in general economic conditions in the U.S. and internationally and political and economic uncertainties associated with current world events. These and other risks are detailed from time to time in Neoware's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, its report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended June 30, 2003 and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.
Neoware is a registered trademark of Neoware Systems, Inc.
Note to reporters, editors and writers: VIA is written in ALL CAPS.