---

SGI and Fluent Inc. Combine Efforts to Port and Optimize Fluent's CFD Software for the Intel Itanium Platform

8 November 2000

SGI and Fluent Inc. Combine Efforts to Port and Optimize Fluent's CFD Software for the Intel Itanium Platform

    Aerospace, Automotive Industries among Those to Benefit From Improved
          Performance for Big-Memory, Business-Critical Simulations

    MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. and LEBANON, N.H., Nov. 8 SGI , known worldwide for providing a broad range of
high-performance computing and advanced graphics solutions, and Fluent Inc.,
the world-leading provider of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software and
services, are combining efforts to port and optimize Fluent CFD software for
the Intel(R) Itanium(TM) platform.
    The results of this joint effort will give CFD users that depend on
high-performance, high-memory simulations-including users in the automotive
and aerospace industries-the ability to do large-scale simulations and include
better resolution in their models on the Itanium architecture.
    Almost every industry that involves advanced engineering uses CFD. Its use
is rapidly expanding, and more engineers use Fluent CFD software worldwide
than any other CFD technology. The SGI and Fluent alliance will impact several
industries including:  appliances, biomedical, chemical processing, HVAC&R,
glass, oil and gas, power generation, semiconductors, steel and
turbomachinery.
    "This project promises tremendous benefit to end users because it gives
them more choices and helps them achieve optimal performance for their
high-memory, high-resolution models," said Barbara Hutchings, director of
Strategic Partnerships, Fluent Inc. "We expect significant market interest in
the Itanium platform. This technical evaluation with SGI allows us to prepare
a totally market-ready solution for our highly valued customers."
    Ken Jacobsen, vice president of ISV Partner Programs, SGI, called the
effort "another important step in a long, productive relationship with Fluent.
Fluent is currently a top performer in the IA-32 Linux operating system
platform parallel clusters. Working together to extend this to the Itanium
architecture will help address the needs of both companies' customers for
larger memory and solutions to more complex problems."

    About Fluent
    Fluent Inc. is the world leader in the rapidly growing field of
computerized design and simulation software. Fluent software is used to
predict fluid flow, heat and mass transfer, chemical reaction and related
phenomena. Fluent software products and services help engineers in leading
corporations worldwide with detailed product development, design optimization,
trouble shooting, scale-up and retrofitting. Fluent software significantly
reduces engineering costs while improving the final design of products in
applications such as the design of electronic components and systems,
automotive engineering, combustion system design and process plant
troubleshooting.
    Fluent's corporate headquarters are located in Lebanon, N.H. Fluent's
European headquarters are located in Sheffield, England, with local offices in
France, Germany, Italy, Sweden and Belgium. Fluent's Asia-Pacific headquarters
are located in Tokyo, Japan. Fluent CFD software is also available around the
world through joint ventures, partnerships and distributors in Korea,
Australia, the Czech Republic and most European countries.
    Fluent is a subsidiary of Aavid Thermal Technologies Inc. Additional
information on Fluent products can be obtained on the World Wide Web at
http://www.fluent.com or by e-mailing info@fluent.com. More information on Aavid
Thermal Technologies is available at http://www.aavid.com.

    About SGI
    SGI provides a broad range of high-performance computing and advanced
graphics solutions that enable customers to understand and conquer their
toughest computing problems. SGI is headquartered in Mountain View, Calif.,
with offices worldwide. Further information can be obtained on the World Wide
Web at http://www.sgi.com.
    SGI and the SGI logo are trademarks of Silicon Graphics, Inc. Fluent and
the Fluent logo are trademarks of Fluent, Inc. Linux is a registered trademark
of Linus Torvalds. Intel is a registered trademark and Itanium is a trademark
of Intel Corporation. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property
of their respective owners.