May 11, 2005 -- Applied Systems Engineering, Inc. (ASE), the technology leader in the manufacture of RTU / IED protocol test equipment (ASE2000) for the SCADA industry and the development of communication protocol translators (SPT4-NET) announced today it successfully completed porting Microsoft Windows CE 5.0 operating system to its newest version of SPT4-NET SCADA Protocol Translator / Data Concentrator, due to be released later this year.

This new version of ASE’s SPT4-NET will have increased processing speed and new communication abilities. The product is a cost effective solution for protocol communication and is targeted at Electric Power Utility, Oil and Gas, and Water Treatment facility systems that need highly reliable Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) equipment.

“The Windows CE 5.0 solution will allow ASE to broaden product capabilities beyond protocol translation to include many new features such as Alarm Annunciation and OPC Server functionality,” according to Jack Verson, Vice President of ASE. With pricing starting at $995, this new version of SPT4-NET will be available directly from the company. More information is located on the company’s web site: http://www.ase-systems.com, by telephone at +1 408-364-0500, fax to +1 408-364-0550, or via email at e-mail protected from spam bots

ASE chose Aton International to assist in porting the product to the Windows CE 5.0 platform. Prior versions of this device utilized the Phar Lap ETS embedded operating system. With Aton’s help, ASE has added powerful new Windows CE 5.0 networking features that enhance the ASE SPT4-NET in its role as a Protocol Translator and Data Concentrator while dramatically reducing per unit embedded operating system license costs for ASE.    

Aton International's role included preliminary consulting to assist ASE with the decision to port the product to Microsoft Windows CE 5.0, qualifying an authorized Microsoft Windows Embedded distributor for OEM licensing, creating a custom Microsoft Windows CE 5.0 Board Support Package for the ASE hardware based on an AMD SC520 x86 compatible CPU, developing a "no BIOS" boot loader for the M-Systems DiskOnChip, creating a Windows CE 5.0 serial driver for the custom ASE serial I/O hardware, and advising ASE on the many available Windows CE 5.0 feature set combinations included with the low cost Windows CE 5.0 Core license. For more information about Aton International’s services for porting to Windows CE, phone, toll free in US and Canada 1 800-833-0835, International at +1 650-938-9328, fax to +1 650 938-9368 or via email at e-mail protected from spam bots

“The work ASE and Aton International just completed showcases the range of opportunities for innovation and customization that Windows CE offers to the industry,” said Jane Gilson, director, Mobile and Embedded Devices Division at Microsoft Corp. “We are pleased our joint customers in the electric, water treatment, oil and gas utilities industries will have a new range of solutions to chose from.”

About the Companies:
Applied Systems Engineering, Inc. (ASE) has provided the highest quality products and services to the electric power utility industry for over 20 years. Perhaps best known for its "ASE2000 Test Set" products, ASE also offers a number of other SCADA related products and services such as protocol translators, multi-channel communication I/O boards, Bell 202 modems and V.23 modems, and "C" software libraries for embedded protocol processing applications. The ASE staff is unparalleled in the industry for its knowledge of both legacy SCADA communication protocols and current technology protocols.

Aton International, Inc. has been assisting organizations for the past 20 years to merge devices and systems for reliable data delivery. The company offers products and services designed to meet the mobile device integration, data access and embedded system needs of original equipment manufacturers, systems integrators and enterprise IT professionals. Aton International, Inc. is a Microsoft Windows Embedded Partner, a Microsoft Windows Mobile Partner, and a Microsoft Certified Partner.

SPT4-NET and “ASE2000 Test Set” are trademarks of Applied Systems Engineering, Inc. Aton is a registered trademark of Aton International, Inc. Other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

For Press Contact:
Applied Systems Engineering: Mike Hoffinger, Telephone: 408-364-0500,
Email: e-mail protected from spam bots

Aton International, Inc.: Constance Kobylarz, Telephone: 650-938-9328,
Email: e-mail protected from spam bots