Mentor Graphics Welcomes Siemens CES Design Services as the First European FAST Partner

WILSONVILLE, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 11, 2002--Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq:MENT) today announced it has signed Siemens CES Design Services as its first European FPGA Advantage Solutions Thrust (FAST) Partner.

Through the FAST Partner Program, CES Design Services will benefit from access to Mentor Graphics(R) best-in-class field programmable gate array (FPGA) design tools, methodologies and training, and can offer customers implementing FPGA design a certified Mentor Graphics design resource.

The FAST Partner Program equips FPGA service providers with Mentor's FPGA Advantage(R) tool suite, the only integrated FPGA design flow for design creation, debug, simulation and synthesis. The program also provides comprehensive assessments, training and certifications in FPGA design methodologies from Mentor Consulting.

"The FAST partnership allows CES Design Services to have premium access to Mentor Graphics state-of-the-art FPGA methodologies and tools. Combined with CES professional expertise in the field of embedded product design, CES customers will benefit significantly in order to meet their time-to-market on first time success. We are proud to be the first European FAST partner," says Thomas W. Albrecht, vice president, CES Design Services.

Based in Vienna, Austria, and acting in Europe and North America, CES Design Services offers a portfolio of FPGA-based design services covering the entire design cycle, from proof of concepts at the system level to hardware "bring-up" support. Access to the latest FPGA technology and products is ensured by CES Design Services through partnerships with leading FPGA suppliers.

"Mentor's long-term goal is to provide a worldwide network of highly-skilled design service providers equipped with advanced FPGA tools and methodologies," said Bill Martin, vice president, Mentor Consulting and Education Services, Mentor Graphics. "This partnership represents a significant milestone with the expansion of the FAST Program to the European market."

Participation in the FAST Partner Program is available for a small initiation fee and subject to renewal after one year. More information on Mentor's FAST Partner Program is available at www.mentor.com/consulting/fpga_partners.

About CES Design Services

CES Design Services is a business unit of Siemens Program and System Engineering PSE and provides professional services in the field of electronic design to a worldwide customer base, from industry leaders to early stage companies. The design services portfolio includes Application Software & Firmware development, Board, ASIC/FPGA/SoC and Embedded Systems Design, Board Layout & Mechanical Design and Electronic Design Automation Services. Global Teams with on-site and offshore consultants are part of CES' success. CES offers very compelling solutions tailored to the customer's needs according to budget, quality and time to market. More information is available at www.CES-DesignServices.com.

About Mentor Graphics

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 and FPGA Advantage are registered trademarks of Mentor Graphics Corporation. All other company or product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Siemens CES Design Services
             Johann Notbauer, +43-51707-37607
             johann.notbauer@siemens.com
                 or
             Mentor Graphics
             Leanne White, 503/685-1984
             leanne_white@mentor.com
                 or
             BG:Concept Communications
             Birgit Guenther, +49-8152-99 31 84
             birgit.guenther@bgc.de