REDMOND, Wash., March 20, 2001 — Microsoft Corp. and e-SIM Ltd., the leading provider of advanced simulation technology and services, today announced plans to join forces to develop an interface between e-SIM’s RapidPLUS™ product and Microsoft® Windows® CE for Automotive. The companies also will collaborate on marketing activities to highlight the benefits of their combined effort for the automotive development industry.
With the RapidPLUS development solution, teams can precisely simulate the appearance and behavior of a product’s human machine interface (HMI) in a codeless, menu-driven work environment. It will enable product designers and engineers to use Windows CE for Automotive controls and related functions throughout the entire development and production process, significantly reducing design costs and time to market.
Windows CE for Automotive provides a common operating system platform for advanced in-vehicle computing devices. Car manufacturers benefit because they can choose devices from a broad range of suppliers and match the best hardware and software components from each supplier to create superior systems.
“The automotive industry is an important area of focus for Microsoft,”
said Gonzalo Bustillos, director of business development and marketing for the Automotive Business Unit at Microsoft.
“We are always looking to work with leading companies that will help our customers reduce design costs and time to market.”
Several Windows CE for Automotive customers are already using RapidPLUS to simulate and develop user interfaces for future car multimedia products.
“Working closely with Microsoft will ensure better synergies between the two products as Microsoft and e-SIM add new features to their future product releases,”
said Uri Yaffe, senior vice president for corporate sales at e-SIM.
“We expect this cooperation to enhance and accelerate RapidPLUS’ penetration in many sectors of the electronics industry, specifically with large, existing Microsoft customers in this segment.”
More information about the Microsoft Automotive Business Unit is available on its Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/automotive/ .
About e-SIM
Founded in 1990, e-SIM Ltd. (Nasdaq
“ESIM”
) ( http://www.e-sim.com/ ) is the leading provider of advanced simulation technology for product development, customer support and Internet applications. e-SIM’s simulation technologies build off its RapidPLUS line of software products that enable product designers and engineers to expedite the concept-to-market life cycle by easily creating simulated computer prototypes that are fully functional, interactive and behaviorally identical to the manufactured products and systems. e-SIM’s proprietary technology enables its LiveProducts division to create and distribute electronic LiveManuals,
“virtual products”
that look and behave like real products, over the Internet or intranet. e-SIM recently released its new customer support Web service, LiveManuals ( http://www.livemanuals.com/ ), featuring its proprietary product simulations from multiple manufacturers, interactive user manuals, personal product folios for easy reference, comprehensive manufacturer support information and extended warranties.
About Windows CE for Automotive
Microsoft Windows CE for Automotive is an operating system built on Windows CE technology to make possible new categories of in-car computers that are capable of providing drivers and passengers with hands-free communication, access to personalized information on the Internet, the ability to summon emergency services and roadside assistance, and an array of convenience and entertainment applications. Windows CE for Automotive is an open platform that allows developers to quickly create powerful in-car computing solutions. It offers flexibility and choice of computing platforms, hardware peripherals and software components, as well as a large community of developers familiar with Windows CE development practices.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.
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