General Software Announces Support For The New Intel® EP80579 Integrated Processor Product Line


SEATTLE, WA - July 23, 2008 - General Software is now supporting through its Embedded BIOS® with StrongFrame® Technology the new Intel® EP80579 Integrated Processor product line. It is the first in a family of enterprise-class complete "system-on-a-chip" (SOC) products combining an x86 CPU, a memory controller and an I/O controller into a single chip.

This specialized Intel® Architecture processor is an integral part of new platform solutions targeted for several market segments including storage, print /imaging, networking, aerospace, IP telephony and security. In each of these segments implementation of a customizable firmware solution is critical to take full advantage of the benefits obtained by using a SOC. General Software's expert firmware solutions provide tools to define the scope of performance and efficiency advantages offered by the Intel EP80579 Integrated Processor product line. An extremely fast boot and optimized power management are only examples of the significant return General Software can provide OEM customers.

In addition to a chip footprint size reduction of up to 45 percent and power consumption reduction of up to 30 percent, the Intel EP80579 Integrated Processor product line improves throughput performance and processor efficiency. The processor also comes with Intel® QuickAssist Technology, a comprehensive initiative that consists of a family of interrelated Intel and industry standard technologies that enable optimized use and deployment of accelerators on Intel® platforms.

"General Software has continued to demonstrate its ability to support the latest silicon and technologies that drive industry innovation and enable OEMs to achieve faster time-to-market at lowered costs," said Craig Husa, General Software CEO. "The Intel EP80579 Integrated Processor product line helps us continue that trend, providing a state of the art platform combined with a significantly reduced footprint especially suited for our expert firmware solutions," continued Husa.

"The Intel® EP80579 Integrated Processor product line is a big leap in architectural design providing excellent performance-per-watt for small form factor communications and embedded applications," said Rose Schooler, general manager, Embedded Performance Products Division, Intel. "By supporting our new SOC processors General Software will enable manufacturers to utilize the latest Intel® Architecture."

Using General Software's Embedded BIOS® with StrongFrame® Technology, BIOS developers can produce working prototypes in days, and finish deployments in weeks, thanks to the core's descriptive configuration management that uses intuitive and descriptive methods rather than assembly language. This type of accelerated deployment is especially essential when working with newly released architecture and a market eager for the new technology. With much less assembly code to write, OEM customers can achieve measurable results much earlier in the development process while at the same time reduce the amount of code that must be validated in system test.

Unlike BIOS companies that focus primarily on standard desktop PC functionality, General Software offers rapid, low-risk deployment to the broadest range of the industry's chipsets, CPUs, and SIO packages. General Software's expert firmware solutions are the fastest way to deploy BIOS on a target with ease and reduced risk. Features provide embedded developers looking to develop a product with the Intel EP80579 Integrated Processor product line:

o Increased flexibility and configurability

o Shorter adaptation time

o Faster time to market

o Lower total cost of ownership

General Software is a General Member of the Intel® Embedded and Communications Alliance, a community of communications and embedded developers and solution providers. Customers of General Software have embedded support for the latest embedded Intel Architecture processors as they are introduced.

About StrongFrame® Technology

StrongFrame® Technology is the framework that enables targeted cores to be built for every application, while leveraging common libraries of software across those cores. Original Device Manufacturers (ODMs) choose StrongFrame® cores to gain the strength, flexibility, and long life expected from firmware supporting targeted applications that have special requirements, such as targeted PCs, mobile PCs, differentiated mainboards, industrial PCs, servers, telecom/datacom equipment, and embedded devices with unique needs.

About Embedded BIOS® with StrongFrame® Technology Embedded BIOS® with StrongFrame® Technology is the leading firmware offering ODM and OEM manufacturers unsurpassed configuration flexibility, rapid and risk-reducing deployment tools, deep compatibility with x86 industry standards, support for the widest range of embedded chipsets, CPUs, and SIO building blocks, and support for multiple core versions and module versions within the same architectural framework. Embedded BIOS® with StrongFrame® Technology addresses the entire lifecycle of products, from board bring-up, configuration prototyping, testing with system diagnostics, and product manufacturing to in-field diagnostics and software reload.

About General Software, Inc.

General Software provides firmware for a wide range of applications including Ultra-Mobile PCs, industrial PCs, targeted PCs, differentiated mainboards, telecom/datacom equipment, server, blades, and embedded devices including medical, gaming, kiosks, point-of-sale, DVR, and commercial and military avionics. Original Device Manufacturers (ODMs) choose the General Software® brand for the domain expertise that gets customers to market quickly, reduces project risks and enables market differentiation for highly successful products. For more information about General Software visit gensw.com, e-mail sales@gensw.com, or call us at 800.850.5755 or 425.576.8300.

Intel is a trademark of Intel Corporation in the United States and other countries.
General Software®, Firmbase®, Embedded BIOS® and StrongFrame® are trademarks or registered trademarks of General Software, Inc.

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