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GridIron SOFTWARE LAUNCHES X-FACTOR RESELLER PROGRAM

GridIron Software, a developer of Grid computing solutions, today announced its Value Added Reseller (VAR) Program for X-Factor by GridIron. The program enables GridIron and its partners to support the strong initial demand for X-Factor, the productivity extension for Adobe After Effects Professional 6.5 that speeds the creation of motion graphics and effects for film, video, DVD and the Web.

Available to VARs worldwide, GridIron will provide X-Factor partners with business, marketing and technical resources to help bring the power of Grid computing to digital video professionals around the globe. In the six-week period since its introduction X-Factor has met with rapid adoption by Adobe After Effects users seeking to improve their productivity and workflow. X- Factor reduces time and processing limitations, allowing Adobe After Effects Professional users to spend less time rendering and invest more time in their creative efforts.

By dividing and distributing the work ordinarily performed on a single computer among several computers joined together in a network, X-Factor allows Adobe After Effects users to complete preview processing and rendering twice as fast on two computers than on one, three times as fast on three computers, and so on. With the growing demand for high-definition (HD) video, X-Factor facilitates the creation of extremely complex and high resolution compositions that previously would have proved prohibitive or required much more expensive tools.

"X-Factor by GridIron represents an excellent opportunity for us to generate more business with both existing and prospective customers," said Patrick de Silva, director of The Media Village, a solutions integrator based in Singapore and one of the first to participate in the X-Factor Reseller Program. "X-Factor can be a powerful catalyst for additional software, hardware and service opportunities with current customers, and extends our ability to introduce ourselves to new customers. We have been eager to make X- Factor a part of our offering since the product was first unveiled at NAB in April, even before its release."

"Many digital video professionals rely on their Value Added Reseller as a trusted source of information regarding new technologies and products," said Steve Forde, CEO of GridIron Software. "Working with knowledgeable partners who have established a high level of trust and credibility with their customers in the digital video industry allows GridIron to most effectively respond to the exceptionally high level of early demand for X-Factor, as well as rapidly broaden its global availability."

The Basic edition of X-Factor, which can be used with Adobe After Effects Professional 6.5 on two additional computers to double the speed of preview processing and rendering, is available at no charge at www.Gridironxfactor.com/download.

X-Factor VARs will sell X-Factor Plus and Unlimited edition upgrade licenses. X-Factor Plus is available for $99 per CPU, which allows X-Factor to run on more than two computers and offers additional features to efficiently manage multiple remote computers, such as selecting which computers to use, checking for the availability of plug-ins and fonts, and distributing or deleting source footage. At $1,995, X-Factor Unlimited provides all the features of X-Factor Plus and allows X-Factor to use an unlimited number of additional computers.