SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 10, 2001 - United Microelectronics Corporation (NYSE: UMC), a world leading semiconductor foundry, today announced the successful implementation of a Web-based design communication infrastructure and next-generation desktop sharing tools from Fremont, Calif.-based CreOsys, Inc. The global design communication infrastructure and desktop sharing tools, which are installed at UMC offices in Taiwan and the U.S, will enable UMC customers to perform remote layout viewing for online discussion of design rule check (DRC) signoff services. This online offering, called "Remote Layout Viewer", is a facet of the foundry's extensive e-services model as a component of the i-Designer suite that also includes Chipsizer? (see announcement from October 30, 2000 "UMC Unveils Chipsizer . . ."). These enhancements to UMC's eService offerings became available to UMC's customers on May 1, 2001.

"In our continued effort to facilitate the exchange of information between UMC and its customers, we are constantly working to enhance our eServices model by adding to our i-Designer suite. This most recent addition will greatly increase the efficiency and the fidelity of the DRC signoff process," said Robert Chin, CIO of UMC. "After an extensive evaluation period, we determined that the CreOweb communication infrastructure and its desktop sharing tools are the best solution for improving our wafer design productivity, and customer satisfaction."

"UMC's implementation of Remote Layout Viewer has facilitated our communications with the foundry. UMC has once again displayed that responsiveness to customers is a priority for them," said Kevin Yu, vice president of Faraday Technology. "Because of the ease with which technical questions are answered through Remote Layout Viewer, our internal productivity and customer satisfaction have improved tremendously."

The implementation of the CreOweb infrastructure and desktop sharing tools is the result of a multiyear licensing agreement with CreOsys, the leading provider of Web-based communication infrastructures for the global engineering industry. CreOweb features robust and highly secure communication technology that enables real-time desktop application sharing, design communication and the unique ability to access and display physical databases through the Internet. Layered on top of CreOweb is a set of focused end-user applications-- SpaceCruiser, CreOsys' next-generation solution for real-time desktop sharing and design communication; and GdsCruiser, for layout database online review and conference.

"We are thrilled to have signed a licensing agreement and to have successfully implemented the CreOsys solution in UMC's Taiwan and U.S. offices," said Kuochun Lee, cofounder and CEO of CreOsys. "Our unique design communication solution will enable UMC's geographically dispersed design teams to work together effectively and efficiently, which will rapidly accelerate time-to-market for their customers."

CreOsys is the leading provider of Web-based communication infrastructure for the global engineering industry. Through its innovative web-based client/server solutions customer can significantly increase design productivity from the start of the design process through completion. Customers are able to realize reduced design cycles and win repeat business. Company founders have leveraged several years of experience in integrated circuit design, EDA and Internet technologies to develop the only data access architecture optimized for EDA, utilizing EE-specific viewers, data security and multiple levels of access and control.

CreOsys participates in alliance programs with Cadence Design Systems, Sun Microsystems, Oracle Corporation and Artisan Library. CreOsys provides several leading semiconductor companies and foundries software to connect distributed teams together and communicate effectively independent of distance and time zone. More information about CreOsys can be found at http://www.creosys.com.