Phoenix Wins VARVision Best Software Award at System Builder Summit 2004 in Dallas Phoenix FirstWare Applications Voted Best Software by IT Solutions Providers MILPITAS, Calif., March 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Phoenix Technologies Ltd. , the company driving the global core system software standard in PC systems and connected digital devices for 25 years, announced that its Phoenix FirstWare(R) applications family has received VARVision's Best Software Award. IT solutions providers selected Phoenix for the honor at Vision Events' recent System Builder Summit in Dallas, Texas. "System Builder Summit & VARVision attendees are senior executives who strongly influence their enterprise customers' buying decisions," said Sally Hewett, Event Director for System Builder Summit & VARVision. "As a result, recognition through a Best of System Builder Summit & VARVision award signifies a level of excellence for technology vendors in this competitive market." The Phoenix FirstWare applications family provides an innovative way to reduce manufacturing and support costs while providing value for users through data recovery and "instant-on" applications. For example, they can help diagnose and recover systems if the operating system (OS) crashes or otherwise won't boot, and they can offer instant access to Outlook email and personal information management (PIM) data in the pre-boot environment, effectively turning a laptop into a PDA. "We are especially honored that system builders themselves have chosen Phoenix for the Best Software award again this year," said Michael Goldgof, Senior Vice President of Corporate Marketing and Products Division for Phoenix. "These are the people who depend on product quality and consistency to help build their business reputations. They have been quick to adopt Phoenix FirstWare because these applications add significant value in terms of system recovery, secure storage, and other productivity enhancements." The Phoenix FirstWare family includes several applications, each of which provides valuable benefits to PC manufacturers, system builders, resellers, distributors, and their customers: * Phoenix FirstWare Assistant: Extends Microsoft Outlook email and PIM data (calendar, contacts and tasks) to a secure, rapid-on environment, available without booting the OS. Increases mobile users' productivity and differentiates for PC manufacturers and resellers. * Phoenix FirstWare Check: Identifies the origin of a system failure to help users quickly identify the nature of problems before or during technical support calls. Increases customer satisfaction and reduces service costs for PC manufacturers and resellers. * Phoenix FirstWare Recover: Enables the user to quickly and easily restore a PC to the original "factory" state without a boot disk or recovery CD, even when the primary OS or network is unavailable. Improves system availability for users and reduces service costs for manufacturers and resellers. * Phoenix FirstWare Recover Pro: Provides all the features of Phoenix FirstWare Recover, and it allows the user to protect data files and system settings for complete, efficient system recovery. Ensures business continuity forusers and reduces service costs for manufacturers and resellers. * Phoenix FirstWare Recover Pro Network: Adds the power of central policy management to the system backup and recovery provided by FirstWare Recover Pro. Ensures business continuity and reduces IT support costs for users. Ideal for the mid-market with limited IT staff, networks and resources. * Phoenix FirstWare Vault: Provides secure storage for factory-installed software applications, utilities and other installation packages. Eliminates the need for CDs, improving convenience for users and reducing operational costs for manufacturers. * Phoenix FirstWare Connect: Offers access to support sites, Web-based email and other Internet resources independent of the primary operating system. Enables user self-help and reduces support costs for manufacturers if the OS fails. About Vision Events Vision Events, a Gartner, Inc. (NYSE:ITNYSE:andNYSE:ITB) company, is a leading producer of highly focused business events that bring resellers and end users together with leading and emerging vendors in private boardroom appointments to form strategic partnerships and secure new business in the technology sector. Additional information about Vision Events can be found at http://www.visionevents.com/. About Gartner Gartner, Inc. (NYSE:ITNYSE:andNYSE:ITB) is the leading provider of research and analysis on the global information technology industry. Gartner serves more than 10,000 clients, including chief information officers and other senior IT executives in corporations and government agencies, as well as technology companies and the investment community. The Company focuses on delivering objective, in-depth analysis andactionable advice to enable clients to make more informed business and technology decisions. The Company's businesses consist of Gartner Intelligence, research and events for IT professionals; Gartner Executive Programs, membership programs and peer networking services; and Gartner Consulting, customized engagements with a specific emphasis on outsourcing and IT management. Founded in 1979, Gartner is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, and has 3,700 associates, including more than 1,000 researchanalysts and consultants, in more than 75 locations worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.gartner.com/. About Phoenix Founded in 1979, Phoenix Technologies (NASDAQ:PTEC) helped launch the digital revolution when it created the industry's leading machine-independent BIOS software, which ships in more than 100 million new systems each year. Phoenix leveraged that core-level experience to develop Core System Software, which moves beyond BIOS for the age of networked devices. Today, Phoenixsolutions activate, secure, connect, and recover the world's best-known systems. These solutions are built in and protected from viruses, user errors, hackers, and corruption. Phoenix is headquartered in Milpitas, Calif. USA (Silicon Valley), with offices in global business and technology centers. Visit http://www.phoenix.com/. Media Relations: OutCast Communications Anne Marie McCallion 415-392-8282 DATASOURCE: Phoenix Technologies Ltd. CONTACT: Anne Marie McCallion of OutCast Communications, +1-415-392-8282, , for Phoenix Technologies Web site: http://www.phoenix.com/ http://www.gartner.com/ http://www.visionevents.com/

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