LIVINGSTON, Scotland, Dec 1, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- VCX Software Ltd. and Internet Business Systems, Inc. (IBSystems) today announced a partnership that will provide real-time and detailed information on semiconductor intellectual property (IP) to users of the popular EDACafe.com web site. Chip designers can now access a database of information of thousands of commercially available IP blocks. The high quality database, developed and maintained by VCX Software, complements the spectrum of other useful information and services available at EDACafe.com.

After logging on to http://www.edacafe.com, the new facility will connect users to the vast catalogue of information on IP products from more than 230 suppliers. The search options available allow designers to select specific categories, types, or target market segments for IP, and easily compare similar products from different vendors. The facility is driven by a direct up-to-date XML feed of all the public IP information from VCX Software's central aggregated IP Gateway database, ensuring the latest versions of information are always available.

For those IP Users who use IP management tools from VCX Software, further information requested from IP Providers can be delivered in the format they are use to using internally. This enables them to gather all the evaluation information they need without hours of searching on the Internet at multiple company sites. For IP suppliers, the partnership with IBSystems creates another valuable market-channel access point for their products; leveraging the IP preparation and presentation advantage through VCX Software's profiling database product IP Storebuilder.

"With the rapid emergence of SOC design methodology, our readership of more than 125,000 design professionals have asked that we add more IP resources to our EDACafe.com web portal. In response to this, we are proud to announce that we are adding SIP related news and job opportunities, technical and industry resources, and most importantly, access to the VCX searchable IP catalog to our EDACafe portal. Now, system designers from around the world will be able to get information about the IP they need in seconds," said David Heller, president and CEO of IBSystems. "The VCX-EDACafe integration combines the strengths of VCX Software, Ltd., the world's definitive source of information on IP, and EDACafe.com, the world's number one resource for designers, to deliver the tools and information our audience needs."

The agreement marks the continued evolution of VCX Software towards a supplier of tools and services for IP management from its origins as centrally based exchange.

"We are focused on the delivery of client-based software solutions to automate the supply-chain and will work with experts in information aggregation such as IBSystems to extend the benefits and reach of our centralized IP database," said Andy Travers, president and CEO of VCX Software. "This deal further extends the reachable customer-base for IP providers that choose to utilize VCX Software solutions for their powerful profiling, packaging and transfer utilities. For IP users, it provides an efficient way to leverage their investment in VCX Software's IP management tools while utilizing a rich database of knowledge and information at the EDACafe.com site."

The VCX Gateway link is currently up and active on the http://www.edacafe.com site. There is no charge for using the search and comparison capabilities.

About IBSystems

Internet Business Systems, Inc. (IBSystems) is a leading provider of web portals and virtual trade shows targeted at computer modeling professional audiences. Its EDACafe.com, MCADCafe.com, GISCafe.com, AECCafe.com, PCBCafe.com, DCCCafe.com and CareersCafe web portals bring valuable resources and timely information and job opportunities to professionals in the Electronic Design Automation (EDA), Mechanical Computer Aided Design (MCAD), Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Architectural Engineering (AEC), Printed Circuit Board (PCB), and Digital Content Creation (DCC) industries. Its CareersCafe brings employers and jobseekers together in each of these high-tech fields. IBSystems complements their portals with Virtual Trade shows and online publications. The company is building and launching additional industry-focused vertical portals and products on an on-going basis. For more information on IBSystems please visit http://www.ibsystems.com/.

About VCX Software

VCX Software, Ltd. provides software tools, databases and services to improve the efficiency of using semiconductor intellectual property (IP) for SOC design. The company's products, which are based on years of experience and technology development in IP management, are designed for both users and providers of IP, enabling them to better prepare, manage, market, locate, evaluate, and acquire IP. This results in reduced time to market and expense for IP providers and users. VCX Software will maintain a supply of information-based products for other players in the semiconductor supply chain as a means to increase the number of access points for customers. VCX Software is a privately held company based in Livingston, Scotland. More information can still be found at http://www.thevcx.com.

SOURCE: VCX Software, Ltd.

CONTACT:          VCX Software Ltd., Livingston
                  Susan Carmichael, +44 1506-404-100
                  
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                  Wired Island
                  Mike Sottak, +1 649-941-4218
                  
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                  IBSystems
                  Sanjay Gangal, 1-408-950-9202
                  
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