SDRC Announces I-DEAS Software Release7.

CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 19, 1999--

Extending the Enterprise With Web-Enabled Collaboration,

Expanded Manufacturing Capabilities, VGX(TM) Enhancements,

and Industry-Specific Applications

SDRC (Nasdaq:SDRC), a leading provider of enterprise product development

This latest version of SDRC's mechanical design automation software suite extends the product development enterprise with web-enabled collaboration, expanded manufacturing capabilities, VGX(TM) extensions (including a first-of-its-kind break-through capability for product evaluation), and industry specific applications -- supported by excellent usability tools.

"With release 7, SDRC is positioning itself to address the requirements of users needing enterprise-level solutions that support the total product creation process," said Charles M. Foundyller, president, Daratech, Inc. "We spoke to a number of SDRC's beta customers, and all had high praise for I-DEAS Master Series 7. This appears to be a solid release, and strengthens SDRC's claim to a leading position in world class, enterprise-level product development solutions."

Web-Enabled Collaboration

To extend its workgroup data management technology, SDRC recently announced I-DEAS Web Access (reference SDRC news release dated April 14, 1999). I-DEAS Web Access is available in I-DEAS Master Series, release 7, and uses a Java-based, thin-client server to connect the engineering team and its product development process with the extended team -- manufacturing, marketing, management, and others -- building on SDRC's I-DEAS Team Data Manager(TM) software capabilities. This web-based collaboration tool provides a low-cost, Windows capability for secure, native I-DEAS data access. I-DEAS Web Access is supported by three SDRC I-DEAS Solutions NetworkSM partners -- CAD Centric Systems, Inc., Engineering Animation, Inc., and RenderView Software, Inc. -- all who offer a range of best-in-class visualization products enabled by I-DEAS Web Access.

New Toolpath Engine for Manufacturing

With this release, I-DEAS Generative Machining(TM) software represents the largest enhancement ever to SDRC's computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) applications. Supported by a 500% increase in development resources (through SDRC's earlier acquisition of CAMAX), SDRC's manufacturing development team has made great strides with this release, and it is the vehicle by which the company plans to accelerate its on-going delivery schedule for I-DEAS manufacturing applications.