STEP Tools, Inc. Releases Version One of ST-XML

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Troy, New York - November 5, 2001 - STEP Tools, Inc., the forerunner in developing STEP and STEP-NC integration software for global manufacturers, announced today it is releasing its first version of ST-XML™, an add-on product for ST-Developer™, their flagship product used to write STEP applications, translators, and databases. STEP (Standard for Product Data Exchange) is an ISO data standard that gives an explicit and complete representation of product data throughout its entire life cycle. ST-XML can be used for translating data between XML (eXtensible Markup Language) standards for document data and STEP product data from more than 20 CAD applications used by over one million CAD users. XML standards are being widely adopted across the computer industry as the preferred method to document information on the Internet. Web browsers, such as Netscape® and Internet Explorer®, contain a wide range of tools for managing XML data.

ST-XML is a breakthrough product making STEP data much easier to use. Traditionally, STEP implementation methods required skilled, expert programmers. XML gives a simplified description to STEP data that can be understood by most IT professionals and programmers. ST-XML is available in single and multiple-license versions for the most popular operating systems. Detailed technical information on ST-XML can be found on STEP Tools' web site at: www.steptools.com/products/stxml/

Without being a STEP expert, programmers can use ST-XML to create Internet-ready STEP applications, as well as query and update a STEP database. STEP data converted into XML data provides data content for a wide variety of B2B transactions, such as bills of materials, configuration control, and manufacturing features and tolerances. The product enables programmers to integrate CAD and business data, and at the same time, provides functionality to help accelerate STEP implementation in a wide variety of CAD, CAM, CAE and PDM applications. Users can write also create programs via XML that interact with ST-Viewer™, an easy-to-use visual product that provides an interface to STEP data information, and displays product identification, assembly structures and 3D geometry.

Manufacturers and software developers use STEP Tools software products to slash costs and programming efforts associated with building, operating and maintaining world class STEP applications, translators and databases. ST-Developer's out-of-the-box toolkits automate 60% of the STEP implementation process.

About STEP Tools, Inc.
STEP Tools, Inc. is a leading international supplier of professional STEP software toolsets (based on ISO standards) for application software developers, design firms and manufacturing companies in diverse industries. The STEP Tools product line is used by the world's foremost firms to leverage STEP technology to facilitate the sharing of engineering product information. Over one million end users utilize product data applications built with ST-Developer, the company's flagship product. The company offers ten software solutions in several languages that provide four key benefits: 1) the flexibility of EXPRESS information modeling language, 2) integration with existing tools and database systems, 3) cross-platform portability, and 4) ease-of-use for streamlined development. For late-breaking information, contact STEP Tools, Inc. by calling (518) 687-2848, email: info@steptools.com or visit STEP Tools Web Site: www.steptools.com.

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