Mentor Graphics Receives SAP Interface Certification for Design Data Management Solution

BERLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 22, 2002--Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq:MENT) today announced that it has received SAP® interface certification for its data management solution, the Mentor Graphics® DMS tool, the next-generation library and information management solution for the engineering desktop.

As a result, the DMS solution complements the mySAP(TM) Product Lifecycle Management (mySAP PLM) solution from SAP AG, addressing customer needs of both Mentor Graphics and SAP. A standard interface will allow customers to easily integrate the DMS solution with mySAP PLM, bringing work-in-process electronic design (eCAD) data to the extended enterprise and making it possible for critical supply information to be factored in throughout the product engineering and design phase.

As much as 80 percent of a product's complete lifecycle cost is determined during the product development phase, making it essential that design engineers have access to critical product information. Interfacing the DMS and mySAP PLM solutions allows for the integration of eCAD information with end-to-end supply chain management (SCM) processes. DMS consolidates and manages work-in-process eCAD design data and provides a tight integration between the design engineer and the extended enterprise. mySAP PLM manages the data and processes within SAP e-business solutions from the initial idea for a product to the end of the product lifecycle. The standard interface between DMS and mySAP PLM will help customers to increase the efficiency and cost-optimization of their product development processes.

"The management of all information required in the design process is an essential success factor for hitting the market window with innovative products," said Uwe Schmid, Ph.D., managing director, systems data management, systems design division, Mentor Graphics. "Now we will be able to offer our customers a SAP interface-certified solution for integrating the design data into their SAP business systems."

CIMdata, a leading PLM consulting and research company, estimates the market is growing at a compound annual growth rate of 25 percent. "We see the integration of eCAD as one of the major initiatives driving PLM in the high-tech industries, creating a unified engineering and design environment," said Ed Miller, president, CIMdata. "It helps companies to better manage complex product structures containing electrical components, software and mechanical parts across the value chain, resulting in a reduction of the cost baseline and an acceleration of a product's time to market which is crucial in today's fast paced environment."

Mentor Graphics and SAP have agreed to make information on their complementary solutions available to each other's independent sales teams to expand opportunities for both companies.

About mySAP PLM

mySAP PLM, an integrated business solution of the mySAP.com® e-business platform, helps companies drive product innovation and development, production ramp up and product change management as well as quality, regulatory compliance, and maintenance management by seamlessly integrating manufacturing, engineering and design processes. It allows companies to collaborate internally as well as with external stakeholders, such as customers, development partners and suppliers. Overall, mySAP PLM fosters the creation of "buyer - vendor - supplier" value networks that help companies get the right products to market at the right time, and at the right cost.

About Mentor Graphics Corporation

Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq:MENT) is a world leader in electronic hardware and software design solutions, providing products, consulting services and award-winning support for the world's most successful electronics and semiconductor companies. Established in 1981, the company reported revenues over the last 12 months of about $600 million and employs approximately 3,700 people worldwide. Corporate headquarters are located at 8005 S.W. Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-7777; Silicon Valley headquarters are located at 1001 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, California 95131-2314. World Wide Web site: www.mentor.com.

Mentor Graphics is a registered trademark of Mentor Graphics Corporation. SAP, mySAP, mySAP.com and all other SAP product and service names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP AG in Germany and several other countries. All other company or product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.

     Mentor Graphics
     Leslie Van Grove, 720/494-1014
     leslie_vangrove@mentor.com
     or
     Weber Shandwick
     Emily Taylor, 503/552-3733
     etaylor@webershandwick.com