SMART Storage Systems Announces the Optimus(TM) Ultra SAS SSD

New Product Line Leverages Guardian Technology(TM) Platform to Deliver Industry’s Highest Combination of Capacity, Performance, Reliability and Endurance

NEWARK, CA–(Marketwire -02/22/12)- SMART Storage Systems today announced the Optimus Ultra Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) solid-state drive (SSD). An industry-leading combination of performance, capacity, reliability and endurance, the Optimus Ultra is designed to meet enterprise storage application needs, facilitating broad SSD adoption in enterprise environments.

Designed for the enterprise environment, the Optimus Ultra SAS SSD delivers read/write performance of 100K/60K IOPS and a sustained transfer rate of 1GB/s in wide port operation, while achieving 25 full random drive writes per day for a period of five years with consumer-grade multi-level cell (MLC) NAND flash. This powerful combination of performance and endurance addresses the storage requirements of even the most demanding enterprise customers. The Optimus Ultra SSD is available in useable capacities ranging from 150GB to 1.2TB, meaning enterprise organizations and OEMs no longer need to sacrifice capacity to realize the performance gains of solid-state storage.

“Enterprise organizations and IT shops are flocking to solid-state storage because of the quantum leap in system performance that this technology engenders,” said Arun Taneja, Founder & Consulting Analyst, Taneja Group. “Vendors that can deliver SLC-like performance and endurance at MLC-like prices will clearly command a lot of respect as system designers try to make SSD-based storage pervasive.”

The new Optimus Ultra SSD leverages the Guardian Technology Platform to provide the endurance and feature set required for enterprise environments. A comprehensive suite of proprietary features, the Guardian Technology Platform is comprised of FlashGuard™, EverGuard™, and DataGuard™ technologies. FlashGuard, an innovative combination of Aggregated Flash Management and Advanced Signal Processing technologies, enables commercial MLC flash to achieve higher endurance levels, making it suitable for the enterprise environment. DataGuard and EverGuard technologies ensure data integrity and drive reliability are never compromised, satisfying the demanding reliability requirements of Tier-1 enterprise storage applications.

“Enterprise organizations see the value in SSD technology; however, drive endurance outweighs the performance gains for many companies evaluating SSD solutions,” said Joseph Unsworth, Research Director, NAND Flash and SSD, Gartner. “A product that achieves the performance, capacity, reliability and endurance balance required by enterprise organizations would fundamentally alter the storage landscape and spur significant enterprise adoption.”

“The Optimus Ultra takes SSD technology to new heights,” said John Scaramuzzo, president at SMART Storage Systems. “By taking cost-effective MLC flash and optimizing endurance at the cell level with our Guardian Technology Platform, Optimus Ultra SSDs deliver the endurance, performance, reliability and capacity enterprise organizations and Tier-1 OEMs require at a more attractive price point. The Optimus Ultra makes solid-state storage a viable option at the most critical storage tiers.”

The Optimus Ultra will begin sampling with select customers in Q2 2012. For more information about Optimus Ultra or SMART Storage Systems, please visit the company’s website at http://www.smartstoragesys.com, the company’s blog at http://www.smartstorageblog.com, or find us on Twitter at @SMARTSSD.

About SMART Storage Systems

SMART Storage Systems is a technology leader in the design, development and deployment of current and next-generation enterprise solid-state storage products. Combining leading-edge, enterprise-class design, and proven world-class support, SMART Storage Systems leverages its deep expertise in flash and enterprise storage technology. SMART Storage Systems delivers high-quality, high-reliability solutions to a broad customer base, including tier one storage and server OEMs. In support of these designs, SMART Storage Systems provides award-winning innovations in solid-state storage technology, such as NAND high-endurance Guardian™ technology, to a variety of customers in the enterprise storage, enterprise server, data center, defense and industrial markets. SMART Storage Systems is part of the SMART Holdings family of global companies. See www.smartstoragesys.com for more information.

About SMART Worldwide Holdings

The SMART family of companies are leading designers, manufacturers and suppliers of electronic subsystems for the most demanding OEMs around the world. The SMART companies have led the way over the past 23 years providing standard and custom products to today’s leading global OEMs crossing all major electronic industries. These industries include PC, enterprise and industrial servers, networking, telecom, defense, aerospace, gaming and embedded application markets. Taking innovations from the design stage through manufacturing and delivery, SMART Modular Technologies has developed a comprehensive memory product line that includes DRAM, SRAM and Flash memory in various form factors. SMART Storage Systems offers high-performance, high-capacity SSDs for enterprise, defense, aerospace, industrial automation, medical and transportation markets. SMART’s presence in the U.S., Europe, Asia and Latin America enables it to provide its customers with proven expertise in international logistics, asset management and supply-chain management worldwide. See www.smartm.com for more information.

Fluke Networks’ Enhances WLAN Validation and Troubleshooting Capabilities of AirCheck Wi-Fi Tester

One-button AutoTest feature simplifies and standardizes critical Wi-Fi tests to speed problem resolution

EVERETT, Wash., Feb. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Fluke Networks today released version 2.0 of the software that powers its popular AirCheck Wi-Fi Tester, making it easier and faster for frontline technicians to troubleshoot today’s complex wireless LANs (WLAN) problems. The Wi-Fi Tester features a new one-button AutoTest that automatically conducts critical wireless tests for interference, network quality and rogue access point (AP) detection to more quickly and consistently validate wireless network performance, and discover security threats and other issues impacting end-users.

In addition to the AutoTest feature, the AirCheck Wi-Fi Tester v2.0 also provides increased visibility of client devices – such as laptops and printers – and allows users to track them, making it easy to identify and solve wireless connectivity problems. Furthermore, it includes an onboard security configuration feature that allows users to configure the tester on the fly to access secure networks – without having to use a PC.

“In just 18 months, our customers have made the AirCheck tester one of the industry’s premier Wi-Fi troubleshooting tools because of its ease-of-use. Taking the user experience that our customers love, and raising it to a new level, is part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring Fluke Networks’ tools are delivering the best possible user experience,” said Gary Ger, vice president and general manager at Fluke Networks.

Customers are already responding positively to the AirCheck Wi-Fi Tester’s new features. “Wireless is a key component of our corporate network and when a wireless issue arises, we often send technicians into the field, or utilize personnel at remote sites, to troubleshoot and identify issues,” said Robert Aboud, senior technical staff member at Hospira. “The one-button AutoTest makes this even easier and dramatically reduces resolution time, offering a level of simplicity seldom seen in other wireless troubleshooting tools.”

The new tester is now available worldwide and can be purchased from Fluke Networks channel partners. Existing owners can upgrade to the new features through a support contract.

About Fluke Networks

Fluke Networks is the world-leading provider of network test and monitoring solutions to speed the deployment and improve the performance of networks and applications. Leading enterprises and service providers trust Fluke Networks’ products and expertise to help solve today’s toughest issues and emerging challenges in WLAN security, mobility, unified communications and data centers. Based in Everett, Wash., the company distributes products in more than 50 countries. For more information, visit www.FlukeNetworks.com or call +1 (425) 446-4519.

RFMD(R) to Present Rapidly Expanding Portfolio of Solutions for 3G/4G Mobile Data Devices at 2012 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona

GREENSBORO, N.C., Feb. 22, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — RF Micro Devices, Inc. (Nasdaq:RFMD – News), a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance radio frequency components and compound semiconductor technologies, today announced the Company will showcase a broad selection of its industry-leading radio frequency (RF) components for smartphones, tablets and other data-centric mobile devices at the 2012 Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain, from February 27 to March 1, 2012.

RFMD is leveraging its rapidly expanding product portfolio, systems expertise, and leadership in RF power management to solve the increasingly complex RF requirements of 3G and 4G LTE mobile data devices related to band count, current consumption, thermal performance and linearity. The RF components to be highlighted by RFMD(R) at MWC 2012 will include power amplifier-based and switch-based products for 4G LTE, TD-SCDMA, WCDMA, 2G/EDGE, and WiFi devices.

RFMD will feature its PowerSmart(R) power platforms, which leverage the Company’s proprietary RF Configurable Power Core(TM) to deliver the industry’s only converged coverage of all cellular communications modulation schemes (2G/3G/4G, up to LTE 64QAM). The Company will also display its ultra-high efficiency 3G/4G power amplifiers, as well as its expanding portfolio of switches and switch-based products.

About RFMD

RF Micro Devices, Inc. (Nasdaq:RFMD – News) is a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance radio frequency components and compound semiconductor technologies. RFMD’s products enable worldwide mobility, provide enhanced connectivity and support advanced functionality in the cellular handset, wireless infrastructure, wireless local area network (WLAN), CATV/broadband and aerospace and defense markets. RFMD is recognized for its diverse portfolio of semiconductor technologies and RF systems expertise and is a preferred supplier to the world’s leading mobile device, customer premises and communications equipment providers.

Headquartered in Greensboro, N.C., RFMD is an ISO 9001- and ISO 14001-certified manufacturer with worldwide engineering, design, sales and service facilities. RFMD is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol RFMD. For more information, please visit RFMD’s web site at www.rfmd.com.

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, representations and contentions and are not historical facts and typically are identified by use of terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue” and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. You should be aware that the forward-looking statements included herein represent management’s current judgment and expectations, but our actual results, events and performance could differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. We do not intend to update any of these forward-looking statements or publicly announce the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements, other than as is required under the federal securities laws. RF Micro Devices’ business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including variability in operating results, risks associated with the impact of global macroeconomic and credit conditions on our business and the business of our suppliers and customers, our reliance on a few large customers for a substantial portion of our revenue, the rate of growth and development of wireless markets, our ability to bring new products to market, our reliance on inclusion in third party reference designs for a portion of our revenue, our ability to manage channel partner and customer relationships, risks associated with the operation of our wafer fabrication, molecular beam epitaxy, assembly and test and tape and reel facilities, our ability to complete acquisitions and integrate acquired companies, including the risk that we may not realize expected synergies from our business combinations, our ability to attract and retain skilled personnel and develop leaders, variability in production yields, raw material costs and availability, our ability to reduce costs and improve margins in response to declining average selling prices, our ability to adjust production capacity in a timely fashion in response to changes in demand for our products, dependence on gallium arsenide (GaAs) for the majority of our products, dependence on third parties, and substantial reliance on international sales and operations. These and other risks and uncertainties, which are described in more detail in RF Micro Devices’ most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports and statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could cause actual results and developments to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any of these forward-looking statements.

RF MICRO DEVICES(R) and RFMD(R) are trademarks of RFMD, LLC. All other trade names, trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

OLYMPIC Paint Brings Color to Life with Free COLORCLIX App for WINDOWS Phone

New COLORCLIX mobile app for WINDOWS Phone captures and matches color inspiration anytime, anywhere

PITTSBURGH, Feb. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — New to WINDOWS® Phone, the COLORCLIX® mobile app allows users to select any color their phones can capture and match it to more than 1,200 OLYMPIC® Paint colors. Consumers also can find color inspiration by browsing the app’s collection of the most popular Olympic Paint colors and designer color collections.

Whatever your color inspiration, the ColorClix app for Windows Phone will help you easily identify and bring that shade to life for your next painting project. Windows Phone is the latest addition to the award-winning ColorClix suite of tools and is available for free download now from the Windows Phone Marketplace.

“In a cafe, a boardroom or the great outdoors – you never know when a flash of color will catch your eye,” said Jennifer Dodson, senior marketing manager, Olympic Paint and Stain. “The new ColorClix app for Windows Phone creates the opportunity for users to quickly capture color inspiration while on the go and then translate it into colors for their home. With its innovative features and seamless integration with other ColorClix tools, such as the paint-a-room ‘Visualizer,’ the app provides an unrivaled color experience for users, anytime and anywhere.”

In addition to finding a match for an inspired color, a ColorClix app user also can find designer-approved coordinating colors. Users also can tag and save colors for future painting projects, edit and access saved projects whenever design inspiration hits, and share projects with friends through email, Twitter and Facebook. Once users find their perfect colors, they can match them to an Olympic Paint product by finding the nearest Lowe’s location.

The ColorClix app for Windows Phone leverages a number of features new to the Windows Phone 7.5, including multitasking, Live Tiles, mobile search integration and data syncing, which allows users to edit mobile-created projects online and vice versa.

“The new ColorClix app for Windows Phone is a welcomed addition to the Windows Phone Marketplace,” said Todd Brix, senior director, Windows Phone Marketplace, Windows Phone Division, and Microsoft. “With its unique features and design, the ColorClix app is a great example of the rich applications people will find on Windows Phone Marketplace to help them get the most out of their phone.”

The ColorClix suite is a cross-platform collection of color tools allowing consumers to discover new colors anytime, anywhere on a mobile phone, on a desktop computer or online. From initial color inspiration to final product selection and purchase, ColorClix tools digitize the paint-purchasing process from beginning to end. To learn more about ColorClix tools, visit http://www.olympic.com/colorclix.

Olympic Paint is a category leader in the paint segment with distribution in Lowe’s, the nation’s second-largest home improvement retailer. From the new Olympic ONE primer-and-paint-in-one product to the zero-VOC (volatile organic compound), low-odor Premium Interior line, Olympic Paint addresses consumers’ desire for durable, affordable and innovative paint products. For more information, visit http://www.olympic.com.

Share your love of color and the new ColorClix app on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/olympicpaintandstain) and Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/inspiredcolor).

PPG: BRINGING INNOVATION TO THE SURFACE.™
PPG Industries’ vision is to continue to be the world’s leading coatings and specialty products company. Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG helps customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than any other company. Founded in 1883, PPG has global headquarters in Pittsburgh and operates in more than 60 countries around the world. Sales in 2011 were $14.9 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol:PPG – News). For more information, visit http://www.ppg.com.

Media Contacts: Jennifer Dodson, Olympic Paint, dodson@ppg.com, 412-434-2050
Lauren Knox, Ketchum, lauren.knox@ketchum.com, 404-879-9157

Bringing innovation to the surface is a trademark of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
Olympic and ColorClix are registered trademarks of PPG Architectural Finishes, Inc.
Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.

TomTom launches GO 2050 and Via range of PNDs in Indonesia

~ TomTom Brings Award-winning Car Navigation Products to Indonesia ~

AMSTERDAM & JAKARTA, Indonesia–(BUSINESS WIRE)–

TomTom GO series. (Photo: Business Wire)

TomTom is launching its award-winning Via and GO 2050 series of PNDs in Indonesia. This complete range of products with models for basic navigation as well as feature-rich devices for more demanding driving is now available at major consumer electronic stores and online.

TomTom’s PNDs deliver sophisticated design, smart navigation technology and TomTom’s own maps of seven Southeast Asia countries.

“We’ve been in Indonesia for a number of years making high-quality maps. We’re really pleased to be delivering PNDs now. We see the potential for business growth here and we look forward to working with our partners to meet this demand and use the industry-leading maps we’ve developed,” says Chris Kearney, VP Asia Pacific.

Key features of the new TomTom GPS products include: commercial and residential building search, hands-free calling, advanced lane guidance and a local user interface.

About TomTom

TomTom is a global supplier of location and navigation products and services. We provide consumers and enterprise, government and automotive industry customers with digital maps, traffic intelligence, navigation software, PNDs, automotive systems, fleet management services, smartphone apps, fitness devices, POIs and speedcam intelligence.

Headquartered in Amsterdam, TomTom has over 3,500 employees and operates from 50 locations in 35 countries.

TomTom (AEX:TOM2.AS – News) is listed on NYSE Euronext. More information can be found at www.tomtom.com. For the most up-to-date route planner, including live traffic information please visit www.tomtom.com/livetraffic