IKOS Systems Delivers Next Generation Emulator to Alcatel <!-- verification -->

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 5, 2001--IKOS Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:IKOS - news), a leading provider of high-performance, hardware-assisted design verification solutions, today announced that Alcatel (NYSE:ALA - news) has selected IKOS' 15-million gate emulator, the VStation-15M, for hardware, software, and system verification of its enterprise networking switch designs. One of the world's leading suppliers of telecommunications technology including voice and data networking, optical networking, access, and transmission systems, Alcatel has a declared focus on maintaining its leadership through innovation and technological breakthroughs.

"Alcatel is one of the most important telecommunication forces in the world," noted Ramon Nunez, president and CEO of IKOS Systems, Inc. "Innovation and time-to-market are the life blood of companies like Alcatel. We feel very privileged to be an integral part of Alcatel's e-Business Networking Division's business and technical strategy."

"Today, we are on our third generation of IKOS' emulation products," commented Anees Narsinh, director of ASIC development, Alcatel's e-Business Networking Division. "Our design complexity and time-to-market pressures require that we co-verify hardware and software. The performance and reliability of the systems from IKOS have enabled us to parallelize this verification task and to use the verification cycle as a positive competitive strategy. We feel that our verification strategy coupled with our use of advanced tools, such as those provided by IKOS, are key to successful product introductions."

ABOUT IKOS

IKOS Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:IKOS - news) is a technology leader in high-performance design verification solutions including hardware and software simulation for language-based design, logic emulation for system integration and compatibility verification, and verification services. The company's mission is to develop and deliver high-performance solutions that enable our customers to verify the functional correctness of their complex electronic system designs. IKOS has direct sales operations in North America, the U.K., France, Germany, The Netherlands, Japan, and India, and a distribution network throughout Asia-Pacific. The corporate headquarters is located at 79 Great Oaks Blvd., San Jose, Calif., 95119, 408/284-0400. For more information, visit http://www.ikos.com.

ABOUT ALCATEL

Alcatel (NYSE:ALA - news) builds next generation networks, delivering integrated end-to-end voice and data networking solutions to established and new carriers, as well as enterprises and consumers worldwide. With sales of $29 billion (EURO 31 billion) in 2000 and 110,000 employees, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries. For more information, visit Alcatel on the Internet: http://www.alcatel.com.

Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, current economic conditions, continued acceptance and development of the company's existing and new products, increased levels of competition for the company, new products and technological changes, the company's dependence upon third-party suppliers, intellectual property rights, achievement of cost controls, consummation of the company's proposed merger with Synopsys and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Note to Editors: IKOS and VStation are trademarks of IKOS Systems. All other brands or product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies and should be treated as such.

     IKOS Systems
     Linda Prowse Fosler, 408/361-9667
     linda@ikos.com
        or
     Peter Denardo, 925/938-2678 ext. 223 (Investor Relations)
     pdenardo@demer-ir.com