Improv Systems Lays Foundation for Growth in China, New Facility, Partnerships to Help Meet Demand for Configurable DSP Solutions

-- Improv Systems, a pioneer in the development of configurable DSP solutions, conducted a grand opening event last week at its newly created technical support center in Beijing. The event featured executives from Improv, government officials, and members of the local and trade media in China, and showcased the investment Improv is making in China to grow and support its configurable DSP product portfolio.

From its office in the Beijing IC Design Park, which is supported by the Beijing Municipal government to help foster more IC design activity in the region, Improv will offer extensive pre- and post-sales technical support for its complete Jazz-based tool and IP product portfolio Improv.

As part of the establishment of a direct Improv presence in China for the first time, the company also announced that it has signed a long-term agreement with OnePass Solutions, Ltd., a leading sales representative of EDA and semiconductor IP solutions in China. Under terms of the agreement, OnePass will sell and support the Improv tools and technology used in the design of advanced signal processing products, including its popular Jazz Composer Tool Suite and accompanying IP for voice and multi media applications.

Finally, the company announced a significant donation of its technology and participation in a joint education and research program at Tsinghua University and its Institute of Microelectronics. Through the agreement, Improv will donate copies of its complete DSP development environment, the Jazz(TM) Composer Tool Suite which will be used to start a lab and train students on the latest methodologies for advanced media processing semiconductor design.

"Given the pace and increasing complexity of IC design activity in China, it's critical that we have a direct, on-the-ground presence here to support our customers. By having our own facility here, working closely with our partners at OnePass, and helping train future generations of designers on state of the art methodologies, we can assist in expanding the level of expertise and understanding of configurable signal processing technology and methodologies, and allow customers to get maximum benefits from the solutions we offer," said Victor Berman, president and CEO of Improv.

"Improv's presence here is another example of the exciting expansion that is happening in China's semiconductor value chain. They will be a valuable addition to the many other great suppliers, both domestic and international, that recognize the opportunity here and are helping build momentum for our electronics industry," said Rixing Chen, manager of Improv Beijing Operation.

About Improv Systems, Inc.

Improv Systems, Inc. develops and licenses the Jazz PSA(TM) platforms featuring the Jazz DSP and application solution kits for Voice-over-IP, Networking and Multi-Media. Improv's Jazz DSP is a configurable DSP that allows designers to create optimized DSP cores targeted to consumer electronics and telecommunications markets. For more information, please visit www.improvsys.com.