MSC.Software's Engineering Exchange Extends Collaboration Capabilities

    COSTA MESA, Calif.--April 20, 2001--MSC.Software Corp. , an established information technology software and services provider helping companies worldwide develop better products faster, today announced the extension of its Engineering Exchange (http://exchange.engineering-e.com).
    The extended offering strengthens the foundations that support the Engineering-e.com collaborative vision. The ability to satisfy online privacy concerns, vital for large and small customers alike, is complemented by essential collaboration tools surrounding the new online "conference room" and project-centric discussion forum.
    "The Engineering Exchange is proving to be highly successful in linking client companies with the most suitable experts from around the world," said Frank Perna, chairman and chief executive officer of MSC.Software. "With companies of all sizes starting to make regular use of the Exchange we are focusing on communication and collaboration.
    "The enhancements we are delivering directly address our clients' most critical online business needs. They enable the clear, comprehensive and timely communication required for effective use of remote resources. Ontro Inc. is one example of how companies are benefiting from the Engineering Exchange."
    According to James A. Scudder, CEO of Ontro: "Through the use of the Engineering Exchange, Ontro has been able to confer with experts around the world about our technology. These experts are assisting us with design improvements that will enable our self-heating container to effectively heat more viscose products such as pastas and meals."
    To further address client needs MSC.Software is also offering new Gold and Silver Client and Consultant membership services. Gold members benefit from dedicated MSC.Software personnel supporting their outsourcing activities. For more information, visit http://exchange.engineering-e.com. Since its release in August 2000 the Exchange has registered more than 690 consulting firms worldwide and 210 clients.

    About MSC.Software

    MSC.Software is the established information technology software and services provider helping companies worldwide develop better products faster. MSC.Software's software and services are used to enhance and automate the product design and manufacturing process.
    The ability to model and test software prototypes has cost-effectively enabled manufacturers to design and build everything from sophisticated aircraft and automobiles to electronic products. Simulating product performance reduces development costs, time to market and warranty costs, positively impacting customer profitability.
    MSC.Software is capitalizing on the advantages of the Linux operating system for high-performance computing, and the Web in all of its forms. For additional information about MSC.visualNastran, the company's ASP, or Linux initiative, visit www.engineering-e.com or www.mscsoftware.com.

    About Ontro

    Ontro Inc. , founded in 1994 to engage in the research and development of integrated thermal containers, has been focused primarily to date developing self-heating containers for beverages and soups for several major food manufacturers who have expressed interest in marketing their brands using Ontro's technology. Ontro's Web site, www.ontro.com, provides news and information regarding the company and its self-heating container technology.