For more information, contact:

Richard Beck Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. 970.407.6204 dick.beck@aei.com

Cathy Kawakami Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. 970.407.6732 cathy.kawakami@aei.com

Advanced Energy Expands Relationship with Symphony Systems

Fort Collins, Colorado and Campbell, California (July 10, 2000)-Advanced Energy Industries (Nasdaq: AEIS) and Symphony Systems announced today that Advanced Energy has provided a major portion of Symphony Systems' convertible promissory note bridge financing. Symphony Systems is a supplier of network-based applications and open-architecture software solutions to the semiconductor and semiconductor equipment industries.

 

Proceeds from this financing will be used to finance further product development, and will allow Symphony to grow pending a second round of venture financing that is planned between now and the end of this year. Advanced Energy plans to lead the next round of equity funding for Symphony.

"Our investment in Symphony's future signifies an important next step in our partnership, and in our strategy to deliver complete hardware and software solutions to our OEM customers," said Doug Schatz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Energy. "Symphony has pioneered innovative software solutions that allow customers to have unprecedented access to critical predictive maintenance and tool health information through a web-based platform. We are committed to expanding our relationship with Symphony as we work together to bring our customers advanced solutions that improve productivity and accelerate process innovation," added Mr. Schatz.

In March, Advanced Energy and Symphony Systems formed a strategic partnership to deliver an advanced network-based infrastructure that seamlessly connects people, equipment, and information to form a global resource management system that will dramatically improve overall equipment productivity. Under this agreement, both Advanced Energy and Symphony Systems will develop, market, and support these products to semiconductor OEMs and end-users, while AE will distribute these products to the semiconductor industry as a whole.

Dr. Keith Bennett, Symphony Systems' Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Advanced Energy has endorsed Symphony's technology as evidenced by our strategic partnership. Expanding our relationship provides the working capital necessary to continue to develop leading productivity solutions for our customers. We share Advanced Energy's vision to provide customers with integrated solutions to maximize production efficiency and equipment value. Our joint effort creates unique opportunities for product advancement and strengthens our leadership in this rapidly emerging segment."

About Advanced Energy
Advanced Energy is a global leader in the development, marketing, and support of technology solutions that are critical in the manufacture of semiconductors, data storage products, and flat panel displays as well as in applications that involve surface modification and process power control. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and end-users around the world depend on AE products when plasma-based technology plays a central role in their manufacturing process. AE offers a comprehensive line of technology solutions including power conversion and control systems, process monitoring and control tools, ion-beam sources, dynamic temperature control products, and plasma abatement systems. AE technology solutions are sold and supported globally by direct offices, representatives, and distributors. Founded in 1981, AE is a publicly held company traded on Nasdaq under the symbol AEIS. More information can be found on www.advanced-energy.com.

About Symphony Systems
Founded in 1997, Symphony uses its network-based tool connectivity infrastructure and suite of software services to seamlessly connect people with new and existing equipment within an entire supply chain, creating a web-based community of equipment, equipment users, equipment suppliers, parts and consumables suppliers and application software providers, in real time. The result is a dynamic, highly secure resource management environment that optimizes the productivity of mission-critical capital equipment. More information can be found on www.symphony-sys.com.

Safe Harbor Statement
Except for any historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, detailed from time to time in Advanced Energy's (the Company's) Securities and Exchange Commission reports, including the Company's Form 10-K and Forms 10-Q. The Company continues to be susceptible to fluctuations in quarterly and annual revenues and operating results and the volatility of the semiconductor and semiconductor capital industries. The Company assumes no obligation to update the information in this release.