Fremont, CA, July 14, 1997 - Asyst Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASYT), the leading supplier of minienvironment and SMIF-based technology to the worldwide semiconductor industry, today announced that its subsidiary, Asyst Software, Inc. (ASI), has introduced a revolutionary software-based manufacturing connectivity solution -- Asyst-SWIFT™ (Single-Wire Interface Technology).

A Windows NT-based software tool set, SWIFT integrates peripheral devices such as Asyst-SMIF devices, material tracking and control systems, bar code devices and external sensors on semiconductor manufacturing equipment. In addition, SWIFT, compliant with Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) standards for SEMI Equipment Communications Standards II (SECS II), Generic Equipment Model (GEM) and High Speed Message Standard (HSMS), enables a single-wire connection to a fab's computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) network or manufacturing execution system (MES). Asyst-SWIFT software components currently include ActiveTag, ActiveSMIF and ActiveSC.

SWIFT addresses the industry's increasing need for optimizing factory-wide equipment and CIM system integration in the production of advanced integrated circuit (IC) products. Mike Brain, ASI's vice president of marketing, explained, "As device complexities increase, the number of processing steps and the amount of equipment increases, limiting chipmakers' ability to meet yield and cycle time objectives. This will prove more critical in the transition to 300mm processing of next-generation ICs when integration to the CIM framework will be a prerequisite." Brain added, "Because most equipment suppliers currently use custom software drivers to connect to CIM systems, there is a large amount of equipment and information incompatibility resulting in barriers to efficient manufacturing."

According to ASI, Asyst-SWIFT's Windows format eliminates the need for these proprietary controls and hardware by utilizing robust off-the-shelf, industrial personal computers (PCs). This allows unparalleled CIM and MES connectivity potential, maximizing fab-wide equipment integration capabilities for both original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and IC makers. "Designed as an open-system interface, SWIFT provides the simplest and most reliable tool-to-factory connection, helping accelerate time-to-market for equipment manufacturers and speed the ramp to higher yields for chipmakers," said Brain.

Recognizing that each equipment manufacturer has different requirements, ASI offers Asyst-SWIFT in two formats. SWIFT is available as a plug-and-play solution customized for specific equipment and manufacturing environments, or as components that enable an equipment manufacturer to create their own solution. ASI's ActiveSMIF is a software component to monitor and control SMIF input and output mechanisms. ActiveSMIF supports SMIF mechanisms such as the Asyst SMIF-Arm™, SMIF-Indexer™, SMIF-LPT™, SMIF-LPI™ and SMIF-LPO™. ActiveTag and ActiveSC permit direct read-and-write access to the Asyst SMART-Tag™, making material information available in real time for the first time.

These software components conform to the Microsoft ActiveX open standard and support a dual interface (iDispatch and vtable), allowing the software to be used from any of the major programming systems in use today, such as Visual Basic, Visual C++, or Java. Supplied with sample code, these components can dramatically reduce the integration effort required for an equipment manufacturer to offer a fully integrated SMIF solution.

Asyst will be demonstrating Asyst-SWIFT at its booth, #637, at the SEMICON/West exposition and conference, July 14-16, at San Francisco's Moscone Center (South Hall). Currently, Asyst-SWIFT is in beta site testing at a major U.S.-based chipmaker's new facility. Production software is scheduled to be available August 1997.

About Asyst
Asyst Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of material handling systems that help semiconductor manufacturers improve their integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing productivity. The company's Asyst-SMIF™ System combines state-of-the-art minienvironments with advanced robotics to create ultraclean processing environments that are both comprehensive and flexible. The SMART-Traveler™ System (STS) works in tandem with SMIF to eliminate misprocessing. Both Asyst-SMIF and its companion STS products are integral to seamless factory automation. Asyst Software, Inc., is dedicated to the development of software products for equipment communications and automated material handling, identification and tracking. Founded in 1984, Asyst Technologies, Inc. is headquartered in Fremont, CA, with facilities in Europe and the Far East. Asyst Software is located in San Jose,

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