Fremont, CA, July 7, 1998 - Asyst Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASYT), the leading supplier of manufacturing automation and Standard Mechanical InterFace (SMIF) isolation systems for the global semiconductor industry, today announced that its subsidiary, Asyst Software Inc., has introduced SMART-Station™ a revolutionary equipment automation software solution.

Designed to fully automate the operation of fab processing and metrology equipment, SMART-Station provides the critical interface between shop-floor control systems and process and metrology tools on the factory floor. Combined with lot tracking systems, SMART-Station reduces costly processing mistakes and material losses in both SMIF and non-SMIF fabs by ensuring that the correct lot is processed by the proper equipment with the right recipe.

To achieve rapid, error-free processing of wafer lots, SMART-Station coordinates the manufacturing execution system (MES), fab equipment, SMIF interfaces and Auto-ID system interfaces. SMART-Station automates the implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) at the tool. Differing from existing equipment automation solutions, SMART-Station features powerful workflow technology and distributed objects. Together these features speed the development and deployment of equipment automation solutions for the entire fab. As a result, equipment automation is removed from the critical path in ramping up a new fab or bringing new process technologies on line in an existing fab.

Asyst Software's Vice President of Product Development Ramesh Balakrishnan noted that SMART-Station positions Asyst to capitalize on the growing market need for equipment automation. "Traditionally, equipment automation solutions have been unreliable, as well as difficult to implement and maintain. Through its highly configurable, robust and fault-tolerant architecture, SMART-Station offers a reliable, easy to configure and user-friendly equipment automation solution," said Balakrishnan. "Leveraging this powerful new software capability, chipmakers worldwide can achieve their advanced process and equipment control objectives while reducing cycle times, boosting yields, enhancing equipment effectiveness and minimizing manufacturing and ownership costs."

To ensure ease of use, SMART-Station supports a fully distributed graphical user interface (GUI), enabling users to access equipment information from a PC located next to the equipment or remotely connected to the factory's network system. As a result, the status of WIP is available to anyone, regardless of their location in the fab.

SMART-Station is also easily and rapidly configured for any fab and any process tool. Backed by an extensive library of completed tool interfaces, SMART-Station supports single-load, multi-load and multiple SMIF configurations-with a single NT station capable of controlling multiple process or metrology tools. SMART-Station is also designed for compatibility with virtually all of the leading shop-floor control technologies, as well as custom/in-house MES systems.

Asyst reports that SMART-Station is the latest addition to Asyst Software's SMART-Fab Suite, which also includes Asyst's SMART-Storage Manager and Global Lot Server. Together with SMART-Station, these software systems provide a scaleable solution for chipmakers' fab automation needs.

SMART-Station is available now and is currently running production 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week in multiple customer sites worldwide.

Except for statements of historical fact, the statements in this press release are forward-looking. Such statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. These factors include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, semiconductor industry cycles, risks associated with the acceptance of new products and product capabilities and other factors more fully detailed in the Company's most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q, and annual report to shareholders.

About Asyst
The pioneer of the Standard Mechanical InterFace (SMIF), Asyst Technologies, Inc. is the leading provider of automated material handling systems critical to seamless factory automation in the most advanced fabs worldwide. Asyst's comprehensive solutions, which include industry-leading 200 mm and 300 mm product offerings, result in greater fab profitability and productivity. Through innovative developments in the software and integration services area, Asyst Software, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary, provides integrated circuit (IC) manufacturers fully automated solutions addressing their most advanced manufacturing challenges. Founded in 1984, Asyst Technologies, Inc. is headquartered in Fremont, CA, with facilities in Europe and the Pacific Rim. Asyst Software, Inc., is located in San Jose, CA