BenchTech for OS/2 Announcement

16 July, 1992

CONTACT:

Synetik Systems 2210 Highway 6 & 50, Suite 204 Grand Junction CO, 81505-9406 (303) 241-1718

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

In today's personal computer marketplace, performance claims are abundant. Very often, however, there is little practical evidence to back up these claims. The advent of the Graphical User Interface (GUI) has changed the way the personal computer industry must look at computer performance. IBM OS/2 Version 2.0, the industry's most advanced operating system, requires considerable computer resources to take advantage of its power. Individuals and companies alike need a tool to help them tradeoff performance versus price. Today, Synetik Systems announces the July 28, 1992 availability of BenchTech for OS/2.

BenchTech for OS/2 is a powerful performance measurement tool, containing a suite of 32 bit benchmarks designed specifically for OS/2 Version 2.0 and beyond. OS/2 2.0 performance can vary greatly between one computer design and another. Even though all systems that run OS/2 2.0 are based on the Intel 80386 architecture, the observed performance is also dependant on the cache design (if the system uses a cache), the number of wait states required, the video system, the disk drive and many other factors.

BenchTech for OS/2 allows you to measure integer and floating math performance, data movement and memory access. There are three separate disk tests, and you control whether the program uses the OS/2 system disk cache. The program allows you to determine relative video performance using any of eight video tests. Three application oriented tests are included, or you can specify your own OS/2, DOS, or WINOS2 tests. Two higher level benchmark tests are included for comparing systems. Twenty-five benchmark tests are included in all.

BenchTech for OS/2 is powerful, but it is also easy to use. A notebook style user interface makes it easy to access tests and their results. BenchTech for OS/2 is a full Presentation Manager program, including contextual, hypertext on-line help. Select what types of result information you want, and then log it to a file or print it.

The program provides an extensive macro facility, based on IBM Rexx, to encapsulate a series of tests into a pre-defined macro. Example macros are provided to demonstrate the power and ease of use of this facility.

BenchTech for OS/2 attempts to reduce the problem from the theoretical realm of "This system SHOULD perform better because of ..." to the more practical realm of "This system takes 42 seconds to complete the BenchTech Excel test, and this system takes 48 seconds..."

Synetik Systems provides one year of toll free technical support for registered users. BenchTech for OS/2 is available after July 28, 1992, directly from Synetik Systems. The suggested retail price is $119.95, but is available for a limited time for just $79.95. Customers may get more information or place telephone orders by calling (800) 598-1718 in the continental United States, (303) 241-1718 outside the continental United States, or FAX (303) 243-4516.