American Megatrends Announces the Developer Release of AMI Aptio® System Software

Tuesday: July 20, 2004

Editorial Summary:

• AMI announces the developer release of APTIO, formerly code-named "Athens"
• APTIO is based on the Intel® Platform Innovation Framework for EFI ("the Framework")
• The developer release allows OEM/ODM customers to evaluate & create next-generation firmware solutions based on EFI and the Framework

ATLANTA, Georgia - American Megatrends Inc. (AMI), a leading provider of storage and computing innovations worldwide, today announced the developer release of Aptio system software, previously referred to by AMI as "Athens." APTIO is AMI’s next-generation BIOS firmware based on the Intel Platform Innovation Framework for EFI, a new purpose-built architecture that represents the future of platform firmware enabling.

"The Framework is designed to unleash the creative energy of the industry toward the creation of new generation firmware," said Michael Richmond, Manager of Intel’s Platform Software group. "This new offering from AMI delivers a complete customer firmware solution enhanced by AMI’s development tools, pre-boot applications and their deep engineering expertise."

The "developer release" is designed for OEM/ODM customers developing EFI & Framework solutions for upcoming products. Chipset enabling code is initially available for Intel i865 and i875 chipsets, allowing customers to develop new features on proven & stable silicon before migrating to their next-generation platforms. Along with silicon enabling components, APTIO can be expanded using a variety of drivers, development tools, support utilities and pre-boot application solutions:

• Development Applications: Visual eBIOS (VeB) and AMI Debug for EFI
• Support Utilities: AMI Flash Utility suite, Change Logo Utility, SMBIOS data management
• AMI PreBoot Application (PBA) environment, allowing OEM/ODM to store & execute pre-boot applications in a protected & hidden disk partition
• AMI Graphical Setup Environment & Graphical Boot Manager, dramatically enhancing user experience when configuring the system
• Graphical Execution Environment, used to rapidly develop GUI applications for EFI
• Compatibility Support Module (CSM), providing "legacy BIOS" compatibility based on AMIBIOS8

The product release of APTIO, including support for a wider set of features & silicon components, will be introduced at the Fall 2004 Intel Developer Forum in San Francisco, CA.

"AMI’s past experience with AMIBIOS and EFI has helped us create a product-strength firmware solution using the Framework," said Brian Richardson, EFI Product Manager at American Megatrends, Inc. "APTIO is designed so an OEM or ODM customer can use the Framework to produce a viable next-generation product."

American Megatrends, Inc. is a major presenter at Intel® Platform Innovation Framework for EFI Base Training at the National Taiwan University in Taipei, Taiwan from July 20 through July 23, 2004. Four days of technical training on using the Framework will be presented, along with APTIO product demonstrations.

About AMI : Founded in 1985 and known worldwide for AMIBIOS®, American Megatrends Inc. (AMI) supplies state-of-the-art hardware, software, and utilities to top-tier manufacturers of desktop, server, mobile and embedded systems. AMI’s industry leading Aptio® V UEFI BIOS firmware, innovative StorTrends® Network Storage hardware and software products and MegaRAC® remote server management solutions continue to garner industry acclaim and awards around the world. In line with the diversity of its technology and product line, AMI is a member of a number of industry associations and standards groups, such as the Unified EFI Forum (UEFI), the Intel® Intelligent Systems Alliance and the Trusted Computing Group (TCG). Headquartered in Norcross, Georgia, AMI has locations in the U.S., China, Germany, India, Japan, Korea and Taiwan to better serve its customers.

For more information on AMI, its products or services, call 1-800-U-BUY-AMI or visit www.ami.com.

Statement of Liability: © 2013 American Megatrends Inc. Product specifications are subject to change without notice. Products mentioned may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. All rights reserved. No warranties are made, either express or implied, with regard to the contents of this work, its merchantability or fitness for a particular use. This publication contains proprietary information, which is protected by copyright. American Megatrends reserves the right to update, change and/or modify this product at anytime.

Back to Top