STEC Stec, Inc. (MM)

STEC, Inc. (Nasdaq:STEC) today announced its CellCare and Secure Array of Flash Element ("S.A.F.E.") technologies that enable STEC's MLC-based Solid State Drives ("SSDs") to reach unprecedented levels of write endurance and data reliability.

The implementation of CellCare and S.A.F.E. technologies on MLC NAND Flash components, which are more widely available at competitive pricing than SLC NAND Flash components, has resulted in significant cost reductions for SSD solutions. Until now MLC-based SSDs have been perceived negatively relative to standard SSDs utilizing SLC NAND Flash components when comparing endurance, reliability and performance. But with the implementation of CellCare technology, these disadvantages can be negated and the critical 5-year enterprise endurance threshold can be met. In addition, S.A.F.E. technology virtually eliminates data integrity issues, including failures and data loss, on STEC's MLC-based SSDs.

"Given the critical role of enterprise storage systems, customers cannot compromise on reliability and performance even though IT budgets are tight," said Mark Moshayedi, President and CTO of STEC. "STEC CellCare and S.A.F.E. technologies provide the needed peace of mind for implementing MLC-based SSD solutions, while reducing the total cost of ownership, making these drives an ideal solution for many of today's enterprise market needs."

• STEC's CellCare technology substantially reduces the cost of SSD implementation in the enterprise by enabling SSDs to use lower cost MLC Flash components. STEC's proprietary technology utilizes adaptive Flash access, signal processing, data management algorithms and ECC to improve the endurance of MLC Flash components. MLC-based drives with CellCare Technology are able to handle write intensive workloads for over 5 years without limiting performance, making them not only viable but well-suited for the rigorous enterprise server and storage environments.  
• STEC's S.A.F.E. technology is a key enabler of enterprise-class MLC-based SSDs. As technology nodes gets smaller, the failure rates associated with MLC Flash components has increased, making the drives unreliable, specifically for use in critical applications where data integrity is paramount. STEC's MLC-based SSDs utilizing S.A.F.E. technology are designed to virtually eliminate all failures associated with MLC Flash. S.A.F.E. technology drastically reduces component-level failures and delivers the data reliability required by enterprise storage and server applications. And the coupling of S.A.F.E. technology with STEC's proprietary advanced Flash management algorithms enables STEC to deliver superior reliability to both MLC and SLC-based SSDs.

For more information regarding this announcement and other important SSD topics, please visit the company's web site at www.stec-inc.com

About STEC

STEC, Inc. is a leading global provider of solid-state drive technologies and solutions tailored to meet the high-performance, high-reliability needs of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). With headquarters in Santa Ana, California and locations worldwide, STEC leverages almost two decades of solid-state drive knowledge and experience to deliver the industry's most comprehensive line of solid-state drives to the storage industry. For more information, visit the company's web site at http://www.stec-inc.com

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STEC is a registered trademark of STEC, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks referred to herein are the property of their respective owners.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including those statements concerning: the capabilities, reliability and performance of STEC's products; the benefits of CellCare and S.A.F.E. technologies; the costs and cost savings of components and STEC's solutions; and the usages and expansion of the Enterprise class SSD market. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, and could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from current expectations. Although STEC believes that the forward looking statements contained in this release are reasonable, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be fulfilled. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements are detailed in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission made from time to time by STEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and its Current Reports on Form 8-K. The information contained in this press release is a statement of STEC's present intention, belief or expectation. STEC may change its intention, belief, or expectation, at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in STEC's assumptions or otherwise. STEC undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

CONTACT:  STEC, Inc.
          Mitch Gellman, Vice President of Investor Relations
          (949) 260-8328
          ir@stec-inc.com

          The Hoffman Agency
          Kenn Durrence, Public Relations for STEC
          (408) 975-3097
          kdurrence@hoffman.com