PANASONIC DVD-RAM COMBINES WITH eSystems' ASaP

Panasonic and eSystems Inc announced that ASaP, eSystems' revolutionary multi-dimensional database software, is compatible with Panasonic's 4.7/9.4GB DVD-RAM drive. With ASaP and the rewritable DVD drive, users have a complete solution for mining information from distributed information banks located inside and outside the enterprise which can be quickly browsed and accessed online.

ASaP is unique in that it not only supports more than 200 document formats, including images, sound, video, Web and office documents, it allows users to query against a single data bank or across multiple data banks. As a result, information can be mined from the Web, corporate Intranets, databases, imaging systems, file servers and other sources. With ASaP's "on-the-fly" structured search capabilities, users can modify search fields and indexes at any time without having to re-index the database.

One of the features that makes the Panasonic DVD-RAM drive so ideal for the ASaP data mining application is its random access capabilities. Like a hard drive, it empowers users to move to the information they need almost instantly.

Fully compliant with the DVD Forum DVD-RAM specification, Panasonic's rewritable DVD drive can be integrated with an organization's network to provide multiple users with fast access to 4.7GB (single-sided disc) or up to 9.4GB (double-sided disc) of information. In addition to providing high-capacity, rewritable storage for about .005(cent)/MB, the same drive can be used to read CDs as well as DVD-ROM, DVD video, and DVD-R media.

According to IDC analysts, the demand for quicker access tools for information collection, retrieval, and analysis as well as the ability to handle heterogeneous collections of text, images, video, and sound will lift the document and content technologies (DCT) market to new heights. IDC projects that the worldwide DCT market will increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32%, from $1.1 billion in 1999 to nearly $4.4 billion in 2004.

"The compatibility of Panasonic's DVD-RAM drive and our ASaP software bridges the gap between simply having huge repositories of data and having all of that information easily accessible so it becomes an effective resource," explained Chuck Larabie, eSystems vice president of Business Development for eSystems. "Combined they provide a cost-effective solution for improving the decision-making process and enable the sharing of intelligence with corporate users, strategic business partners and customers."

"We were amazed at the vast search capabilities of eSystems' ASaP software," said Jeff Saake, Group General Manager, Panasonic Industrial Co, Global Computer Group. "But once we saw how comprehensive the searches can be, the need for DVD-RAM was obvious. The high-capacity, random access and low storage cost make it ideal for data mining -- especially with a robust application like ASaP."

Price/Availability

Panasonic Industrial Company's 4.7GB OEM DVD-RAM drive is available as an internal drive with a SCSI-2 interface (model LF-D291N) or with an ATAPI interface (model LF-D211N). The Panasonic-branded internal drive, model LF-D201U, is available from Panasonic Document Imaging Company (PDIC) and has an MSRP of $549. Double-sided 9.4GB DVD-RAM media, 4.7GB single-sided media and 4.7GB bare disc media, which are marketed under the Panasonic brand name, are also available from several other leading manufacturers. The 4.7GB bare disc DVD-RAM media can be played back on the latest Panasonic DVD-ROM drives, as well as Panasonic's new DVD Player and DVD Recorder.

ASaP is available through eSystems and many of the leading library and storage software developers with prices starting at $10,000.

About eSystems Inc

Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, eSystems Inc is a privately held company that provides eCommerce business solutions incorporating document management and imaging innovations. eSystems has developed a premier product, ASaP, which provides document management, search and retrieval capabilities for high-volume users over the Web. For more information on eSystems, call 719-955-4100 x3009 or visit www.esystemsonline.com.

About Panasonic

Panasonic is the best known brand name of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd, a world leader in electronic and electric products for consumer, business and industrial use. Panasonic has introduced some of the world's most innovative DVD products to the market including portable DVD players with a built-in LCD screen, DVD-Audio players, DVD video and DVD-Audio players for automobiles, TV/DVD/VCR systems and DVD-RAM drives. Panasonic's DVD expertise ranges from research and development to the manufacture of DVD mastering and replication equipment. In Los Angeles, its Digital Video Compression Corporation (DVCC) performs DVD encoding, artistic authoring, and services for full-length motion picture transfer. Torrance, California-based Panasonic Disc Services Corporation (PDSC) performs pre-mastering, mastering and replication of discs for DVD and DVD-ROM products. Additional information on Panasonic and Matsushita Electric is available at www.panasonic.com.

For more information on the Panasonic DVD-RAM OEM drive and media, contact Panasonic Industrial Company, 1600 McCandless Drive, Milpitas, CA 95035; 408.945-5600, FAX 408-262-4214, berzind@panasonic.com. Or, visit the company's Web site at www.panasonic.com/oemdvd-ram. For more information on Panasonic-branded DVD-RAM drives and media, contact Panasonic Document Imaging Company, Two Panasonic Way 7D-9, Secaucus, NJ 07030 800-742-8086, www.panasonic.com/storage or marusicm@panasonic.com. In Canada, contact Panasonic Canada, Ambler Drive, Mississauga, Ontario L4W 2T3, Canada; 905-238-2254, FAX 905-238-2414, rkwong@panasonic.ca.

Contact Marken Communications, Andy Marken, 408-986-0100, Andy@markencom.com