BSQUARE Expands Quality Assurance Product and Service Offerings For Windows CE-based Device Development.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 28, 1999--

Embedded Systems Conference 99 (booth 1446)

BSQUARE adds application testing to upgrade of CEValidator,

launches new customized quality assurance services.

BSQUARE(R) Corporation announced today that it will soon release an upgrade of its quality assurance (QA) tool, CEValidator(TM), and begin offering customized QA services for developers of intelligent computing devices based on the Windows CE operating system.

The new CEValidator v. 1.2 and new QA Services will provide an entire spectrum of QA capabilities for each stage of device development, from device design through manufacturing testing through applications verification. Currently, CEValidator 1.2 is being demonstrated at the BSQUARE booth, 1446.

"Until the first release of CEValidator, developers had to write all their test code themselves," explained Peter Gregory, co-founder of BSQUARE and senior vice president of the QA Products Group. "The overwhelming response from our first release in June showed us the pent up demand for QA products and services for developers of Windows CE-based devices. In response, we're continuing to improve our off-the-shelf QA product, CEValidator, with a myriad of new features. Plus, we are pleased to introduce an entire new custom QA services offering for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) who desire to outsource the QA entirely."

CEValidator 1.2 Now Includes Application Testing, Results Analysis Components

CEValidator accelerates the design cycle by providing off-the-shelf tests to validate the port of Windows CE to the target hardware. Now, CEValidator completes the QA process with an additional level of testing: application testing. The new module includes:

-- comprehensive library of automation APIs

-- ability to develop automated tests for integration into

CEValidator

-- extensive help document describing how to build and maintain an

automation system

CEValidator 1.2 also incorporates a new result analysis tool, the CEAnalyzer. CEAnalyzer enables developers to:

-- easily analyze and compare multiple test results

-- extract data from multiple test results into one easy to read and

concise report

-- compare test results, memory usage and elapsed test time between

two devices or two test runs of the same device

Other CEValidator key features include:

-- Nearly 9,500 individual pass/fail tests grouped in more than 150

suites for testing over 200 Windows CE-based API functions in 26

major subsystems of Windows CE

-- Ability to include custom written tests

-- Five stress testing methods create conditions of low virtual

memory, low storage memory, CPU cycle deprivation, random

execution order, and infinite repetition execution.

-- Memory measurement and test run timing information

-- Regression tests based on BSQUARE's unmatched hardware porting

experience

-- Extensive and configurable logging and reporting options

"We licensed BSQUARE's CEValidator to perform quality assurance testing on our new palm-sized and hand-held terminal products," said John Gross, corporate quality engineer, Symbol Technologies, Inc. "Not only did the product work well for our application, but by using this off-the-shelf QA tool, we saved significant time and expense in the quality assurance phase of our project."

CEValidator operates in a client/host environment, requiring a Windows NT 4.0-based host machine and the OEM's target hardware. The product can be used for testing throughout the entire development cycle, saving time and cost through the early detection of problem areas in the port of Windows CE to the hardware. CEValidator was developed from BSQUARE's extensive in-house testing procedures.

CEValidator 1.2 is planned for release during the fourth quarter. Site licenses are granted for an unlimited number of users for $35,000. Companies who have licensed earlier versions of CEValidator will receive the 1.2 version free of charge. Test packages including CEValidator and customized QA engineering services are also available and priced on a per-project basis.

Embedded Systems West conference attendees can sign up to receive an evaluation copy of CEValidator 1.2 in a post-show mailing. Interested developers can also register to receive an evaluation copy via the BSQUARE web site at www.bsquare.com.

New QA Services Deliver Completely Customized Test Solutions for OEMs

OEMs wishing to completely outsource the QA for a project can now call on BSQUARE. BSQUARE offers complete end-to-end custom quality assurance solutions, including:

-- fixed-price QA validation services for platform verification and

Single Board Computer validation

-- test plan development

-- applications testing

-- development of custom automated tests

-- test results that can be used by OEMs for device comparisons

Automated Manufacturing Test Development Services for Windows CE Devices

Another new custom QA service offered by BSQUARE is Manufacturing Test Development for the creation of a specific CEValidator test suite for production testing of Windows CE devices. In minutes, the manufacturing test suites provide comprehensive final testing of Windows CE devices on the production line to assure the quality of delivered devices.

"BSQUARE's QA Services personnel were instrumental in helping us ship a quality product," said Mr. Satoshi Yakko, a General Manager of AV & Multimedia Sector of JVC Corporation. "When we completed the development of our Mobile PC Inter Link (MP-C101), we were looking for a complete quality assurance solution that would help us get our product to market quickly. BSQUARE's project management made the process easy, their engineering personnel provided excellent technical service, and as a result, our product quality was enhanced and we were able to quickly ship the MP-C101."

Pricing for the QA validation services starts at approximately $7,995.

About BSQUARE

BSQUARE is a dynamic software company working with Fortune 500 companies to enable the age of intelligent computing devices. Specializing in Windows Embedded, BSQUARE is a supplier of software products and services for PC Companions, Internet appliances, industrial automation devices, Windows-based Terminals, and other intelligent computing devices. BSQUARE's expertise in embedded Windows is derived from years of contributing to the development of the Windows CE operating system, from serving as a Microsoft preferred provider of Visual Tools for Windows CE, and from in-depth experience with Windows NT. BSQUARE is a Microsoft-sanctioned systems integrator and distributor.

More Information

For further information, visit BSQUARE at www.bsquare.com or contact BSQUARE at 888/820-4500.

Note to Editors: For evaluation copies, product photography, or screen shots, please contact Michelle Manson at 425/519-5900 or [e-mail]

BSQUARE is a registered trademark of BSQUARE Corporation. All names, product names, and tradenames are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.