STEP Tools, Inc. Receives Distinguished "2003 Technology of the Year" Award From INDUSTRYWEEK

Troy, New York - November 17, 2003 - STEP Tools, Inc. the forerunner in developing ISO STEP integration software for the global marketplace, announced today it is a winner in INDUSTRYWEEK's 11th Annual Technology and Innovation Awards Program. INDUSTRYWEEK has selected STEP Tools to receive their distinguished Technology of the Year Award in recognition of the company's work in STEP-NC technology. STEP Tool's achievements will be covered in a feature story in INDUSTRYWEEK's December 2003 issue and on their website. The company will also receive an award trophy from INDUSTRYWEEK, the leading manufacturing management magazine published by Penton Media, Inc. In 2003, STEP Tools introduced their first-to-the-market software solutions to support STEP-NC Implementation Programs and flagship users of this vital, emerging technology for manufacturing.

Each year INDUSTRYWEEK's Technology and Innovation awards celebrate outstanding achievement in technology. Winners of IW's Technology and Innovation Awards span the entire range of science and engineering. STEP Tools proudly joins the exclusive ranks of former Technology of the Year winners including IBM Corporation, Eastman Kodak Co., Hewlett Packard, Mazak Corporation, Rockwell Automation, Sandia National Laboratories, Sun Microsystems and Apple Computer Inc. STEP Tools is internationally renown for their work and expertise in ISO STEP product data standards and engineering data infrastructures.

"We are extremely honored by this distinguished award from INDUSTRYWEEK," states Dr. Martin Hardwick, President and CEO of STEP Tools. "This is the highest level of recognition for our achievements in developing data standards and groundbreaking manufacturing technology. STEP-NC is nothing short of a technological revolution in the field of manufacturing automation. STEP Tools is anxious to work with engineers and machinists to harvest the extensive development effort put into STEP and STEP-NC international data standards over the past fifteen years. Adopters of this innovative, new approach to manufacturing are destined to become industry leaders."