Current fab-level applications such as advanced process control and integrated yield management rely on data streams directly from station controllers. These connections are not agile; making it difficult to implement changes as data collection needs shift in the fab. FDIM addresses these issues by providing dynamic data connection directly from production equipment, supporting the need for data on demand as required by fab level applications, enabling real-time manufacturing process improvements.

“As the industry continues to adopt Interface A-compliant tools, integrated device manufacturers (IDMs) are faced with the problem of how to integrate existing fab automation applications with tools that support the latest SEMI e-Manufacturing standards. FDIM directly solves this issue,” stated Jim Holliday, vice president and general manager of Asyst’s productivity solutions group. “With fabs moving toward high-product-mix manufacturing, the need for data on demand will continue to increase. The ability to locally define data collection needs dynamically in light of changing production requirements justifies implementing FDIM on a site-wide basis.”

FDIM provides data on demand to any fab level application without requiring changes to these existing applications. This preserves investments already made so that implementation costs are minimized as well as risk. With FDIM, data collection requirements can be configured off-line by process and equipment engineers, or by fab-level applications via requests sent to the FDIM. In both cases the communication protocol is hidden and does not require any configuration by the user.

FDIM is a critical component of Asyst’s factory-keyed equipment concept, in which all manufacturing tools are enabled to provide data on demand, enhancing effective data management and process control. When implementing factory-keyed-equipment solutions, FDIM and Asyst’s FastFA™ thin client station controller reside at the tool level, replacing the traditional thick client station controller found in a three tier fab automation architecture. FDIM with the Asyst FastFA framework makes tools fully configurable at the operations level, simplifying IC manufacturers’ normal processing and exception handling.

About Asyst:

Asyst Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of integrated automation solutions that enable semiconductor and flat panel display (FPD) manufacturers to increase manufacturing productivity and protect investments in materials during manufacturing. The company offers a broad range of 200mm, 300mm and FPD solutions that enable the safe transfer of material and information between process equipment and the fab line throughout the fabrication process, while reducing damage caused by human, environmental, mechanical and chemical factors. 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: product capabilities; customer acceptance of new products; customers’ ability to derive expected benefits from new products; and other factors more fully detailed in the company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2007, and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Asyst is a registered trademark and FDIM and FastFA are trademarks of Asyst Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.