Silicon Graphics Computer Systems

"Our mission is to inspire dramatic change in what users expect from their computers, allowing people to create, capture and communicate their ideas as never before."

- Edward R. McCracken, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Introduction
The Leader in Visual Computing
The Emergence of Visual Computing
Contact Information
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Introduction

Computers have the ability to mimic - and magnify - reality. True color, three- dimensional (3D) objects that move realistically on screen enable users to simulate, and often even predict, certain characteristics of the world around them - phenomena both seen and unseen by the naked eye. The capability is called visual computing.

In an age of information, visual computing provides the lens through which users can quickly explore, express, clarify and understand complex concepts and ideas.

In a visually oriented environment, a color 3D window replaces a black-and-white 2D screen in an application. Point-and-click menu selections and descriptive icons replace terse, cryptic, typed commands. Images that look, move and behave like objects in the real world replace gigabytes of data and complex characterizing equations. Audio and video technologies effectively blend to further enhance the sensory appeal of the computer. These elements synchronize harmoniously with the user's sight, hearing and thought processes, eliminating traditional barriers between people and technology.

The Leader in Visual Computing

Silicon Graphics, Inc. is the leading supplier of high-performance visual computing systems. The company was founded to pioneer 3D computing, to define new classes of visual computing, and to transform these computing processes into practical, beneficial and cost-effective solutions for a variety of industries.

In line with its mission, Silicon Graphics offers a full range of computing systems that incorporate 3D graphics, digital media, multiprocessing and RISC processor technologies - all focused on delivering the benefits of visual computing to technical, scientific and creative professionals. These systems integrate seamlessly within existing corporate computing environments and are binary compatible - an accomplishment that is unique in the industry.

The merger between Silicon Graphics and MIPS Computer Systems Inc., secured one of the core technologies needed for visual computing and underscores Silicon Graphics' long-term commitment to the MIPS RISC open architecture. In July 1992, Silicon Graphics established MIPS Technologies, Inc. as a wholly owned subsidiary. The concentration of the two companies' engineering talent enables the delivery of new generations of computing based on a visual environment and a single architecture that spans from PCs to supercomputers.

In February 1993, President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore visited Silicon Graphics' headquarters in Mountain View, California, to unveil the nation's technology policy. The event provided the two leaders with an opportunity to learn about Silicon Graphics' leading-edge technology and about how an emerging growth company can positively impact the country's economic future.

The Emergence of Visual Computing

Silicon Graphics' founders anticipated the productivity gains visual applications would bring to professionals in a variety of industries. Since its founding in 1982, Silicon Graphics has pioneered and integrated the core technologies required for visual computing. At the heart of this type of computing are four strategic technology assets: computer graphics, symmetric multiprocessing, digital media and RISC computing. These assets represent the foundation of the company and the key to its overall strategy.

Computer Graphics Through years of significant technical investment, Silicon Graphics has produced a number of graphics innovations: the Geometry Engine, a proprietary VLSI design; the IRIS Graphics Library, a high level application programming interface; and a broad line of workstations that tightly integrate graphics hardware with a RISC-based central processor.
Symmetric Multiprocessing Since 1988, Silicon Graphics has been producing symmetric multiprocessing computers - systems that provide the ability to use multiple CPUs inside one computer. This multiple-CPU design can optimize the performance of a single application or maximize system thoughput when handling many applications or users. Today, the company is the number one supplier of RISC UNIX symmetric multiprocessing computing systems.
Digital Media The ability to truly integrate sound and video in a single computer system is Silicon Graphics' third strategic asset. Since 1988, Silicon Graphics has been delivering video capabilities and in 1992 these advanced features - along with audio advances - became core technologies for current and future visual computing systems.
RISC Computing By merging with MIPS Computer Systems, Silicon Graphics realized its fourth important technology asset, one which is at the very heart of the computer system: the RISC microprocessor. The latest member of the RISC microprocessor family is the R8000, offering price and performance leadership in the industry.

Through its early investment in the four key technologies, Silicon Graphics is now positioned as the leader in one of the fastest growing sectors of the computer industry - a sector that comprises visual computing, open systems, client-server computing, RISC computing and digital media.

Contact Information

For more information about Silicon Graphics please contact:

Introduction

The Leader in Visual Computing

The Emergence of Visual Computing

Contact Information

(800) 800-7441, or (415) 390-1980

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