Communications Innovator GW Associates Launches SMTProduct In US and Canada.

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 14, 1999--

GW Associates Inc. (GW), the leading provider of factory communications software for the semiconductor industry, announced the launch of SMS Linecontrol(TM), an industry-approved software package expected to revolutionize the surface mount industry. SMS Linecontrol is tailored for surface mount technology (SMT) manufacturers seeking stable computer-aided design (CAD) conversion software for SMT placement files.

"SMS Linecontrol enables operators to communicate freely with individual placement machines, minimizes programming time and eliminates downloading complexities, greatly diminishing the risk of human intervention error," commented Jack Ghiselli, GW president.

GW has agreed to market and support SMS Linecontrol in the United States and Canada for Specialised Manufacturing Solutions Ltd. (SMS), a software development and research company for electronics manufacturing applications.

"Machines left idle while programming for a new product require significant amounts of money and time," said Andrew Brook, SMS executive director. "Recognizing the expense of this waste, we developed reliable software that could perform on-the-run process changes."

The software offers seamless communication across different brands of equipment and is an easily integrated, multi-tasking product. It is recommended by both GW and existing users for its unrivaled modular functionality, ease-of-use, remote file download capability, machine control optimization and process handling.

Specialised Manufacturing Solutions Ltd. (SMS), based in New Zealand, is a world leader in software development and research for electronic manufacturing applications supporting both Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and contract manufacturers. Formed by Andrew Brook and Neil Douglas, SMS Ltd. has over 34 years of combined production engineering and electronic manufacturing experience. The company provides a comprehensive software product suite for use with placement machines in the electronics manufacturing industry. SMS provides professional services to support and develop the electronic manufacturing industry. For more information on products and services, please contact GW Associates or visit the SMS website at www.smsinternational.com.

GW Associates Inc., founded in 1975 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., is the semiconductor industry's market leader in the application of the Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) Semiconductor Equipment Communications Standards (SECS) and the SEMI Generic Equipment Model Standard (GEM). The company provides computer software and services for factory communications in the semiconductor industry as well as for the surface mount, circuit board, hybrid substrate and rigid disk manufacturing industries. In addition, GW Associates markets diagnostic test tools such as the SECSIM Pro(R) SECS Simulator, the leading active tool for testing SECS interfaces, and the SECSMON(TM) SECS Monitor, the leading passive test tool that monitors the host/equipment SECS link without interfering with normal operation. GW Associates is located at 1183 Bordeaux Drive, Suite 27, Sunnyvale, CA, 94089. Visit GW Associates on the world wide web at http//www.gwainc.com.

Visit GW Associates and SMS Ltd. at SMTAI, booth No. 615 in San Jose, 14-16 September 1999