BSQUARE Introduces World's First Automated Test Product For Windows CE.

CHIBA CITY, Japan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 22, 1999--

-- Fully automated suite includes nearly 1,500 validation

tests to shorten testing time, ensure product quality,

and speed products to market --

BSQUARE(R) Corporation announced today that it is now shipping the world's first automated test suite for Windows CE operating system-based devices, the CEValidator(TM).

As an off-the-shelf product, CEValidator saves developers thousands of software engineering hours and dollars spent in writing custom test programs, providing a faster quality assurance process and significantly accelerating the time-to-market for Windows CE-based devices.

"Until now, developers had to create their own test software for Windows CE-based devices," explained Peter Gregory, co-founder of BSQUARE and senior vice president of the QA Products Group. "Each time a device was developed, a new set of test code needed to be written. CEValidator eliminates that step, providing a fast, easy solution for OEMs who want to save time, reduce development costs, and deliver a high quality device to market."

"Development tools for Windows CE abound, yet there has been a void in the testing category of the development process," stated Tony Barbagallo, group product manager, Windows CE at Microsoft Corp. "BSQUARE's new CEValidator provides an excellent solution for filling this gap. Every developer of a Windows CE-based device will benefit greatly from BSQUARE's CEValidator."

"When we used this product internally for our customers, we found that it reduced the time spent on quality assurance by more than 50%. Since it isn't unusual for the QA effort on the first port of Windows CE to a new hardware platform to take over 1 person year of effort, we expect savings of over $75,000US on some projects," said Gregory. CEValidator is the result of BSQUARE's experience testing dozens of ports of Windows CE and allows the OEM to quickly find problems that are easy to reproduce. According to Gregory, "Instead of hiring and training a QA team from scratch, CEValidator allows anyone to start testing Windows CE-based devices on the first day. Our goal is help drive devices powered by Windows CE to higher quality and faster time to market through better Quality Assurance."

CEValidator Includes Nearly 1,500 Tests for Complete Product

Analysis

CEValidator completes BSQUARE's product line to deliver end-to-end Windows CE-based development solutions. CEValidator is the only test product dedicated to testing Windows CE version 2.1x-based devices. CEValidator accelerates the design cycle by providing off-the-shelf tests to validate the port of Windows CE to the target hardware. OEMs can avoid testing the basics of a system, and instead focus valuable resources on testing the specific value-added components of the device in development.

CEValidator key features include:

-- Nearly 1,500 individual pass/fail tests grouped in more than 100

suites for testing over 200 Windows CE-based API functions in 23

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.

Specific APIs tested in the major Windows CE subsystems include:

-- Ethernet/NDIS - TCP and UCP functionality, client side and server

side APIs, and DHCP or Static IP network settings -- PCMCIA - card services functions and socket services calls -- File System Component - file system and CE Database -- Serial - serial test DDIs and access functions using APIs -- Infrared (IrDA) - IRCom and IRSock (server side and client side) -- Video -- OEM Adaptation Layer (OAL) -- Touch Panel and/or Mouse -- Keyboard -- Wave/Audio -- Memory Subsystem

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.

Price and Availability

CEValidator will ship to customers this month. The initial purchase of CEValidator includes an unlimited number of sites, unlimited users, early beta access, 100 hours support and engineering services. Test packages including CEValidator and customized software consulting are also available and priced on a per-project basis. Call BSQUARE for specific pricing.

CEValidator may also be purchased as part of the CE Xpress Advantage OEM Kit, a package of products and services offered by BSQUARE for a limited time. The OEM Kit package includes the CE Xpress86, a CE Xpress Adaptation Kit , any version, a six-month subscription to BSQUARE's CE Xpress OnDemand driver library, one BSQUARE end-user application of choice, the CEValidator automated test suite, and 25 hours of engineering consulting services. For the next 120 days, BSQUARE will offer this package at a special price, not including any applicable royalties. Priced individually, the cost for these products well exceeds the special packaged price.

About BSQUARE

BSQUARE is a dynamic software company working with Fortune 500 companies to enable the information appliance age. Specializing in Windows CE, BSQUARE is the industry recognized expert and most experienced supplier of Windows CE-based software products and services for PC Companions, Internet appliances, industrial automation devices, Windows-based Terminals, and other information appliances. BSQUARE's expertise in Windows CE is derived from years of contributing to the development of the Windows CE operating system, and from serving as Microsoft's preferred provider of Visual Tools for Windows CE. As a Microsoft-sanctioned systems integrator for and distributor of Windows CE, BSQUARE delivers the CE Xpress Advantage for incorporating Windows CE into information appliances.

More Information For further information, visit BSQUARE at www.bsquare.com or contact BSQUARE at [phone].

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.