Circuit Board Tracking Module from StrandWare's BackTrack Group Debuts; Facilitates Tracking Circuit Boards and Components in Engineering Environments.

Business/Technology Editors

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. & NANUET, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 22, 2001

The BackTrack(R) Group, a division of StrandWare(R) Inc., today announced a specialized application module for tracking circuit boards. Available at no charge directly from the BackTrack Group, the add-on combines the power of the BackTrack item and asset tracking software application with application specific data fields and user interface. Both the data and interface can be further customized for specific user environments. Developed by BackTrack systems integrator, Data Support Inc. of Nanuet, the Circuit Board Tracking module has already helped customers track valuable electronic and fiber optic components.

The BackTrack Circuit Board Tracking module is useful in several environments including telecommunications, computer hardware development and aeronautics. It tracks the movement of circuit boards in-house, as well as when they are sent to out-of-house vendor partners and testers. The application makes it easy to track who is responsible for the boards and facilitates physical inventories when they are conducted.

The BackTrack Circuit Board Tracking application uses bar codes which are applied to the boards and major components. Once all of the relevant information is entered into the database, every transaction can be recorded using a hand-held Portable Data Terminal (PDT) bar code scanner.

The module enables users to input many of the design and functionality aspects of each board and update the inventory as design changes occur. This makes version control much easier. The BackTrack system supports several management reports including overall inventory, movement, assigned users, version management and decommissioning, as well as several financial reports.

Commented Mike Strand, StrandWare president and CEO, "BackTrack has proven to be an extremely flexible tracking tool for many industries. Yet, we rely on our systems integrator partners to develop many specific, innovative applications that fit our customers' needs. Data Support has created a highly specialized BackTrack module for circuit board developers and testers. We're pleased that they have decided to offer it at no charge to end users and other integrators through the BackTrack Applications Library."

BackTrack is a comprehensive, flexible tracking system that includes a label designer, report designer and a series of databases for user, location and transaction history. BackTrack applications also have security settings to allow specific users access to only data and reports that contain the information they are authorized to see. This helps ensure that administrators can appropriately control information to those who have a need to know.

The BackTrack Applications Library

The application announced today is part of the BackTrack Applications Library -- a series of applications for business, government and other organizations. The applications, developed by knowledgeable systems integrators and end users, are pre-packaged templates that allow users to quickly and easily implement fully developed solutions or use them as starting points for their own special tracking needs. In addition to the Circuit Board Tracking application, the Library includes applications to track other Information Technology (IT) assets, as well as modules for clinical labs, the law profession, manufacturing equipment tracking and maintenance, food handling, child protection and government agencies. All of the add-on applications are available for free at www.backtrackgroup.com in the "Product Uses" section. The name and contact information of the developers are listed in the event that further information or consulting services are required. Application add-ons require BackTrack version 4.2 or higher running on a personal computer with Microsoft Windows.

About StrandWare

StrandWare is a Microsoft Certified software manufacturer of a complete family of innovative bar code label design, printing and tracking software. Since its founding in 1988, StrandWare has been a pioneer in the data collection industry with groundbreaking PC-based labeling products that feature full graphic design capabilities and that support all common bar codes and label printers. StrandWare's BackTrack Group offers BackTrack tracking software that helps organizations cut costs by efficiently labeling, tracking and managing information. The company gives customers and resellers the opportunity to "Experience the Power of Our People" by offering industry-leading sales lead referrals and tracking as well as award-winning technical support. With a worldwide installed base of over 150,000, StrandWare's products are used by all of Fortune's top 15 companies and 65 of the top 100. Its software is sold through a network of over 2000 dedicated channel partners. For more information, contact StrandWare at 800/552-2331, fax [phone], or visit the company's Web site at www.strandware.com.

NOTE TO EDITORS: BackTrack and StrandWare are registered trademarks of StrandWare Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.