Features - Financial Plays Of The Week:

CIPRICO/SGI EXPAND PARTNERSHIP FOR RUGGEDIZED STO SOLUTIONS

Ciprico Inc, a leading provider of storage solutions that simplify and accelerate digital media workflows for the military and broadcast markets, and SGI, one of the world's leading suppliers of advanced data management solutions for high-performance computing and visualization environments, announced recently that they have expanded their strategic partnership by signing a new contract enabling SGI to offer Ciprico's TALON storage solution to its government customers.

Ciprico and SGI have a long history of working together, supporting high performance bandwidth applications for the government, military, and media markets. In this latest alliance with Ciprico, SGI is offering the TALON, a new storage solution ideal for command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4I) applications, where the availability, protection, and security of mission-critical information is crucial. The TALON was specifically designed for the demanding requirements of military shipboard, ground-based, and airborne applications.

"As a major system provider to the government and military market, we are pleased to offer the Ciprico TALON with its unique features within the family of SGI high-performance storage solutions. Its removable, ruggedized disk enclosure provides security and transportability like no other product on the market. It's the perfect solution for the kind of tough conditions our military customers demand. We're looking forward to great success with TALON," says Susan Tellep, Director of Product Marketing for SGI.

Ciprico is a market leader for surveillance and reconnaissance storage applications. The TALON is the first storage solution to provide industry-leading data transfer performance and government-certified ruggedization with the convenience and efficiency of removable media at terabyte capacities. The TALON's key feature -- its removable disk pack -- provides added convenience and allows for enhanced security in data collection applications in command and control environments. The TALON is also more reliable and cost effective for data intensive workflow environments than traditional storage alternatives, such as tape-based systems. In addition, users can pre-configure applications and data sets on to the disk pack so that it can be easily deployed worldwide.

"The TALON is well-positioned in several of the military's new programs, building on the excitement created during the launch of this product. By coordinating our efforts with SGI, we're now able to expand our channel efforts and create more leverage for the TALON to penetrate other military applications," says Rich Vignes, Director of Marketing for Ciprico. "We're excited about partnering with SGI. Both Ciprico and SGI provide innovative solutions for command and control and imagery exploitation applications. We feel this is the logical next step for both companies."

About Ciprico

Ciprico designs, manufactures and markets high-performance direct-attached and networked storage solutions. Ciprico storage solutions are designed for visual computing applications ranging from high-speed image data capture, through processing and analysis, to real-time playback at sustained performance levels. Ciprico is headquartered in Minneapolis, MN. More information about Ciprico is available on the World Wide Web at www.ciprico.com.

About SGI

Celebrating its 20th year, SGI, also known as Silicon Graphics Inc, is a world leader in high-performance computing, visualization and the management of complex data. SGI products, services and solutions enable its technical and creative customers to gain strategic and competitive advantages in their core businesses. Whether being used to design and build safer cars and airplanes, discover new medications and oil reserves, predict the weather, entertain us with thrilling movie special effects or provide mission-critical support for government and defense, SGI systems and expertise are empowering a world of innovation and discovery. The company, located on the Web at www.sgi.com, is headquartered in Mountain View, CA, and has offices worldwide.

Contact: Rich Vignes of Ciprico, 763-551-4000, rvignes@ciprico.com.