FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hagiwara Sys-Coms USB-based FlashGate Transfers Data from SmartMedia
to PCs up to 130X Faster than Serial Devices

Advanced Computer Peripheral Allows users of SmartMedia-equipped Devices to
Save Valuable Time when Moving Information to both Desktop & Portable PCs

SAN DIEGO, CA(June 1, 1999) FlashGate, an advanced USB-based
peripheral that transfers data from SmartMedia to PCs up to 130 times
faster than serial interface-based devices, is now available from
Hagiwara Sys-Com. A compact, hot-swappable device that interfaces
easily to any standard USB port, FlashGate allows users of digital
cameras and other SmartMedia-equipped devices to save valuable time
when moving captured images to either desktop or portable computers.

FlashGate features a flexible design architecture that enables it to
support SmartMedia of up to 128MB in capacity, and requires no
external power supply to operate. It is fully plug-and-play
compatible with Windows 95/98 and Windows NT Version 5.0, and also
works with Mac OS Version 8.1 or better. Additionally, the versatile
FlashGate supports both 5V and 3.3V SmartMedia, making it ideally
suited for use by the rapidly growing installed base of
SmartMedia-equipped digital cameras, personal digital assistants
(PDA), voice recorders, bar code scanners, games and more.

FlashGate uniquely allows users of SmartMedia-equipped devices to
transfer data to both desktop and portable computers at speeds up to
130 times faster than traditional serial devices, said Jerry Chou,
Marketing Director of Hagiwara Sys-Com U.S. FlashGates unique
ability to support SmartMedia of up to 128MB in size ensures that
users will be capable of using higher capacity SmartMedia as it
becomes available, he added.

FlashGate sells for a suggested retail price of $99.00. For more
information, contact Hagiwara Sys-Com by phone at 619/5469989, via
fax at 619/546-8496, or visit the companys Internet Web-site at
http://www.hscus.com.

About Hagiwara Sys-Com
Established in 1953, Nagoya, Japan-based Hagiwara Sys-Com has branch
offices in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukoka, and Yokohama, and also has overseas
offices in Taipei, Taiwan and San Diego, California. Since 1986,
Hagiwara Sys-Com has been designing and manufacturing a wide range of
high quality computer-related products and peripherals. Its current
product line includes memory upgrade products for the IBM PC and
Macintosh computers, servers, and a full line of Flash related
products comprised of Flash ATA, SSFCD (SmartMedia), SmartMedia
Reader/Writer, FlashGate, Compact Flash, and the JPEG ImageViewer.

PRESS CONTACT:
Cathleen Bleers
847/955-0700, ext. 228
bleers@sspr.com