BAPCo® releases WebMark® 2004

Burlingame, California - January 6th, 2004 – BAPCo® released today, WebMark® 2004, the latest version of the Internet Client metric based on real world Web applications that measures and enables comparison of PC performance based upon Information Processing and Commercial Transactions. BAPCo® is a non-profit consortium of leading computer industry publications, independent testing labs, PC hardware manufacturers, semiconductor manufacturers and software publishers.
WebMark® 2004 is a ground-up development, featuring new user driven workloads. Usage models and scenarios are developed by experts using the Internet in manners which reflect current and future computing trends. These factors have enabled BAPCo to create a second generation of the WebMark benchmark to further support Internet client testing by IT Managers, PC OEMs, press and analysts worldwide.
WebMark 2004 represents a significant advance in ease of use for the testing of Internet client environments. Featuring two modes of operation, official scores can be reported in either on-line and offline mode. Offline mode enables users to discover the Internet client performance of their PC using content stored locally. On-line mode requires an additional server to host test content but further empowers users to measure additional technologies such as SSL (Secure Socket Layer) and web services.
WebMark 2004 is an Internet technology based benchmark that accurately reflects usage patterns for business users in two Internet usage categories - Information Processing and Commercial Transactions.
Each category represents the workload of a simulated user accomplishing a set of common tasks.

Information Processing
Information Processing is composed of activities focused on users viewing, researching and managing information on the Internet. Three websites - Portal, Research and Training are created to represent common Internet sites and activities that fall in this scenario.
Portal: Represents intranet portals that offer company news, organizational updates and serve as a one-stop shop for employee services and intranet applications.
Research: Represents activities that companies perform as they research customer issues or claims.
Training: Represents those activities involved in the delivery of rich media content and data visualization for online training classes.

Commercial Transactions
Commercial Transactions is composed of activities involved in the commercial exchange of goods or services. Three websites - Purchasing, Finance and Marketplace are created to represent common Internet sites and activities that fall in this scenario.
Purchasing: Represents activities involved in the purchasing of goods or service from an online retailer or merchant.
Finance: Represents activities provided by financial institutions for delivering trading services or financial information utilities such as stock quotes.
Marketplace: Represents activities provided by an online marketplace that offers interactive tools to assist buyers and sellers in making purchasing decisions.
WebMark utilizes the leading web plug-ins and technologies such as: Adobe® Acrobat® Reader® v6.0, Macromedia® Flash Player V7.0.14.0, Microsoft® Windows Media Player® 9 series, Macromedia® Shockwave Player v 8.5.1, DHTML, JavaScript, Java Applets (SUN JRE 1.4.1), W3C SSL, XML and .NET® Framework v1.1
BAPCo's WebMark® 2004 builds upon its predecessors utilizing the strongest and broadest development team in PC benchmark history. BAPCo's depth of membership represents the breadth of the computing industry and harnesses a consortium of experts.

BAPCo's WebMark 2004 Software and Hardware Requirements:
Webmark 2004 Client requirements:
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher. 128 MB RAM (non-shared RAM). A CPU frequency of 500Mhz (or comparable rating) or above and 2.0 GB Free hard disk space for installation and 1 GB during each run. A Windows® compatible graphics adapter supporting 16-bit color at 1024 x 768, sound card and network adapter (recommended use of 100baseT card for optimal performance).
WebMark 2004 Server requirements: (Only required for on-line mode)
A CPU frequency of 500Mhz (or comparable rating) or above and 1.0 GB Free hard disk space. 256 MB RAM. A Windows® compatible graphics adapter, sound card and network adapter (recommended use of 100baseT card for optimal performance).
WebMark 2004 is being distributed by Futuremark, a leading provider of PC performance benchmarking software and web services.

Ordering Information:
BAPCo's WebMark 2004 is available for $299.95 USD. Please visit http://www.bapco.com/store.html for further details and to place an order.

About BAPCo®
The Business Applications Performance Corporation (BAPCo) is a non-profit consortium of leading computer industry publications, independent testing labs, PC hardware manufacturers, semiconductor manufacturers and software publishers. Current BAPCo membership includes: AMD, ARCintuition Inc, ATi Technologies Inc, CNET Labs, Computer Shopper, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Toshiba, VNU Business Publications Limited (UK) and ZDNet.

About Our Distributor, Futuremark® Corporation
Futuremark® Corporation, formerly known as MadOnion.com™, is the leading provider of computer performance analysis software and services. Futuremark® is known around the world for its benchmark products, including the 3DMark® Series and PCMark™2002 (with more than 30 million copies distributed worldwide) and value-added services powered by a database of over 10 million real life benchmarking results. Futuremark® has offices in Saratoga, California and Helsinki, Finland. For more information, please visit http://www.futuremark.com.

Contact Details:
For more information, visit www.bapco.com or www.futuremark.com
BAPCo press Inquiries:
press@bapco.com
BAPCo Membership information and support:
John Peterson
BAPCo
Operations Manager
Phone: +1-408-988-7654
john_peterson@bapco.com

Sales and ordering:
Site Licensing:
sales@bapco.com

Individual ordering:
Tero Sarkkinen
Futuremark
Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing
Phone: +1-408-517-0131
tero@futuremark.com

*BAPCo and WebMark are registered trademarks of the Business Applications Performance Corporation. MobileMark is a trademark of the Business Applications Performance Corporation. Futuremark is a registered trademark of Futuremark. All other names mentioned are trademarks, or registered trademarks of their respective companies.