FREMONT, Calif., March 8, 2005 - Asyst Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASYT), today announced that its Asyst EIBT and NexEDAT software products have been selected by two large semiconductor equipment manufacturers for implementation on their tools. These are the first confirmed orders for software products compliant with Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International's (SEMI) new Interface A standards, which provide for real-time access to critical equipment data.

In addition, Asyst has been awarded an order from a major North American semiconductor equipment manufacturer for Asyst's 300mm automation software, ConX300T. This order is a threeyear extension of a software agreement for ConX300 developer's kits, runtime licenses and testing tools. The extension is valued at approximately $1.6 million.

Julie Iskow, vice president of software engineering for Asyst, said, "These wins in the 300mm connectivity market validate our software solutions' use of standards, services, and innovation to deliver mission-critical results for equipment manufacturers and fabs. In the near future we expect to see more of these types of orders for ConX300 as well as for NexEDA, which combines the Interface A, 300mm, and SECS/GEM standards into a single product."

Asyst currently enjoys leading market share for 300mm connectivity solutions, and all of its connectivity products, including GWGEM, SDR, NexEDA and EIB, have a reputation for reliability, performance, and compliance with industry standards.

The ConX300 software agreement extension applies to a large number of the customer's product platforms. This renewal agreement follows a previous three-year period in which Asyst's software technology was found to both meet and exceed the customer's expectations. The company believes that Asyst ConX300 is in use in every 300mm fab in the world, with greater than 50 percent market share.

Rick Larson, director of business development for the Asyst Connectivity Solutions Group, observed, "I believe the decision to renew ConX300 was based on a good working relationship with the customer, as well as our having supplied a first class product. ConX300 provides a robust integration with the customer's tool software, and has led to successful operations with fab automation systems worldwide."

Asyst's .Net-based Interface A solutions are unique in their ability to be used both on-tool and off-tool, and on new or existing manufacturing equipment. This allows end users and vendors to obtain an abundance of manufacturing data from the tools. This secure access is available to multiple clients, such as APC and SPC applications, from individual or multiple tools, and through multiple standard communication protocols. All Asyst Interface A solutions are fully compliant with the complete set of SEMI EDA requirements, including E121, E128, E120.1, E132.1, E125.1, and E134.1. Both EIB and NexEDA are in final Beta phase and scheduled to ship this month.

About Asyst

Asyst Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of integrated automation solutions that enable semiconductor and flat panel display (FPD) manufacturers to increase their manufacturing productivity and protect their investments in materials during the manufacturing process. Encompassing isolation systems, work-in-process materials management, substrate-handling robotics, automated transport and loading systems, and connectivity automation software, Asyst's modular, interoperable solutions allow chip and FPD manufacturers, as well as original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, to select and employ the value-assured, hands-off manufacturing capabilities that best suit their needs. Asyst's homepage is http://www.asyst.com.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

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: Asyst's ability to provide targeted customer benefits and product efficiencies and performance, to integrate its systems effectively with those of OEM customers, to deliver and support its products in a timely manner, and other factors more fully detailed in Asyst's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 27, 2004, and quarterly reports on Forms 10-Q and 10-Q/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

"Asyst" is a registered trademark of Asyst Technologies, Inc. "Asyst EIB," "Asyst NexEDA" and "ConX300" are trademarks of Asyst Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.