Strategic partnership to capitalize on growing market for large HPC cluster installations

MILPITAS, Calif., Sept. 16 -- Appro, a leading provider of high-performance enterprise computing systems, and NEC Corp., one of the world's leading providers of Internet, broadband network and enterprise business solutions, announced a strategic partnership today that will see Appro Xtreme-X Supercomputer and Appro Cluster Engine Software Management added and branded as part of NEC's HPC solution offering.

The partnership will enable Appro and NEC to work together towards a common goal, focus on reducing complexity of technology integration when deploying and managing integrated solutions, while lowering customer total cost of ownership (TCO). Commencing September 2008, Appro Supercomputer products will be added to NEC's HPC offering as a first step in this partnership.

"Appro has stepped into the HPC market limelight by winning contracts for large-scale HPC systems at the U.S. Department of Energy's Tri-Labs ( LLNL, SNL, LANL), University of Tsukuba, one of Japan's leading academic research institutions and in Europe with ING Renault Formula1 Team," said Steve Conway, IDC research vice president for HPC. "IDC estimates that clusters will continue to be the main growth engines for the WW HPC market, driving server revenue from $10 billion in 2006 to more than $15 billion in 2011."

"This strategic partnership is a major breakthrough for Appro's supercomputers entry into the Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) HPC market. By combining NEC's strong technology base and market position in EMEA together with Appro's cluster deployment successes in the HPC market, the partnership will provide sustainable competitive advantages enabling both Appro and NEC to take greater advantage of this growing market segment," said Daniel Kim, CEO of Appro.

"NEC has been addressing the needs of a wide variety of HPC organizations for 20 years with its dedicated EMEA HPC channel division. We offer best-in-class integrated HPC solutions and services from small to large scale cluster deployments and do so with technical expertise at a lower TCO," said Fumihiko Hisamitsu, general manager of HPC Marketing Promotion Division at NEC Corporation. "We look forward to working together with Appro to offer powerful, flexible and reliable solutions to EMEA HPC markets."

About Appro

Appro is a leading developer of innovative workstations, density-managed servers, clusters and supercomputers. Appro is uniquely positioned to support high-performance computing markets focusing on medium to large-scale deployments where lowest total cost of ownership is a primary consideration. Appro accelerates technical applications and business results unlocking the value of IT through outstanding price/performance, balanced architecture, open standards and engineering expertise. Appro headquarters are in Milpitas, Calif., with an R&D/manufacturing center in Asia and a sales and service office in Houston, Texas. To learn more, go to http://www.appro.com.

About NEC Corporation

NEC Corporation is one of the world's leading providers of Internet, broadband network and enterprise business solutions dedicated to meeting the specialized needs of a diversified global base of customers. NEC delivers tailored solutions in the key fields of computer, networking and electron devices, by integrating its technical strengths in IT and Networks, and by providing advanced semiconductor solutions through NEC Electronics Corporation. The NEC Group employs more than 150,000 people worldwide. For additional information, visit the NEC Web site at http://www.nec.com.

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Source: Appro