CSI Ships Proprietary Smart Sensor Units; Demand Exceeding Expectation.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 6, 1997--Technology innovator Computational Systems Inc. (NASDAQ/NM:CSIN) announces the first shipments of its smart sensor monitoring units, MotorStatus, designed and marketed by the company's wholly owned subsidiary, Status Technologies.

"MotorStatus is the first product introduction for our smart sensor technology business, filling a niche market and meeting customers' needs for a low-cost electric motor monitoring device," says CSI's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ronald G. Canada. "Advanced orders for the MotorStatus units, of about three-quarters of a million dollars, indicate a strong market interest in the product."

Revolutionary and proprietary, MotorStatus is a cost efficient, battery-operated monitoring unit for electric motors. According to Status Technologies President Forrest Pardue, this is the first opportunity for companies worldwide to know in real time the lifetime operating parameters of their electric motors at such a nominal price. Previous technology was not only bulky and cumbersome to install, but pricey as well.

"With MotorStatus," says Pardue, "facilities and plants worldwide will be able to extend machine life by identifying and correcting operational and environmental factors which damage the machine; understand maintenance requirements by identifying mechanical and electrical faults, which will deteriorate and lead to eventual failure if not corrected; and anticipate required overhauls by knowing the cumulative lifetime degradation from factors such as starts, loads, operating time, temperature and vibration.

During the introductory period, MotorStatus units are being sold in what the company calls "six-packs" which include six MotorStatus units, software and an infrared communication cable at a $3,000 discount from individual unit pricing.

CSI estimates the potential annual market size at nearly two billion dollars worldwide. "With more than 4 million motors going into service each year, the demand for MotorStatus units is just beginning," says Pardue. In addition to existing distribution channels CSI is teaming with motor shops and original equipment manufacturers to penetrate the market and meet demand for the smart sensor units.

MotorStatus collects, analyzes and stores motor condition information. This information can be accessed at any time using a data collection device and then downloaded to a PC for condition analysis, operating history and presentation of collected results.

With one patent issued and six pending, MotorStatus is the first of many innovations from CSI to fill the smart sensor niche market. Other products under development include units to monitor pumps and gearboxes.

Status Technologies is a subsidiary of CSI, the leading provider of systems and services for machinery reliability. CSI's unique, integrated technology approach to maintenance is known as Reliability-Based Maintenance(R) (RBM (TM)). RBM is a process for decreasing maintenance costs and downtime while increasing savings through preventive, predictive and proactive maintenance of machinery and manufacturing processes, thus improving overall plant productivity.

CONTACT: Computational Systems Inc., Knoxville

Tom Valunas, 423/675-2110