More Open and Powerful Version of HP VEE Supports Windows 95 and Windows NT, Plus Advanced Graphics.

MUNICH, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 6, 1995--Hewlett-Packard Company today unveils a more open and powerful version of HP VEE, its widely used visual programming language.

The new 3.2 version is easier to use and supports Windows 95, Windows NT and advanced third-party graphics capability.

NEW GRAPHICS AID DATA ANALYSIS

HP has entered into an agreement with Visual Numerics of Houston, Texas that allows HP VEE to work with PV-WAVE, Visual Numerics graphical-data-analysis software. A new graphics toolkit option enables HP VEE users to create 2-D, 3-D and 4-D plots, surfaces and projections.

"We continue to see tremendous productivity and quality improvements over traditional text-based software development, a trend that certainly points the way to an emerging industry standard," said Dr. Edmund Baroth, technical manager of the Measurement Technology Center at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. "The integration between PV-WAVE and HP VEE is such a natural fit. We're excited about the prospects of this development, both for what it will allow us to offer our customers here at JPL and elsewhere, and for what it will do to advance the industry in general."

HP VEE now allows test developers to run the same program on multiple computer platforms, beneficial when users are working on multivendor systems. HP VEE now supports all VXI plug-and-play drivers that follow the Windows-NT, Windows 95 and Windows frameworks, as well as the current 450 HP VEE drivers.

HP VEE now can be called from C and C++ programs, enabling programmers using these languages to take advantage of HP VEE's powerful instrument-control capabilities. Users also can develop HP VEE programs that call routines written in C, C+, Visual Basic, FORTRAN and many other popular programming languages.

o Unlimited use of run-time version -- The new version of

HP VEE gives users unlimited use of the run-time

version, so they can develop programs and replicate

them throughout a lab or factory floor by purchasing

only one run-time version.

o Documentation support for ISO 9000 compliance --

Expanded documentation features allow users to print

detailed information about their HP VEE programs. The

printable document includes HP VEE version,

documentation date, object types and names, constant

values, setup information and transaction summaries.

This information is especially important for users who

maintain ISO 9000 documentation.

o Productivity enhancements -- Several enhancements

simplify programming with HP VEE. These features and

functions were added based on feedback from users

worldwide and are designed to streamline productivity

in a variety of ways, including the following:

-- new toolbar displays easy-to-identify icons for

commonly used functions and eliminates clutter;

-- easier ways to connect lines and simpler ways to

move and manipulate objects;

-- new panel functions allow custom control for

creating just the right look by locking,

unlocking, positioning and sizing the display; and

-- 51 new colors make designs clear and easy to

follow.

o More value for users of PC plug-in instrumentation --

HP VEE now works with Data Translation's Visual

Programming Interface (VPI) to create a complete

data-acquisition and software solution, with

connectivity to ISA, PCI, PCMCIA, VXI, HPIB, GPIO,

RS-232 and LAN-based systems within the same visual

environment.

o New distributor for HP software and I/O products in

Europe -- Meilhaus Electronic now will distribute HP

software and input/output products. They will provide

German-speaking personal-computer customers with

comprehensive, low-cost data-acquisition cards and

modules that work with HP VEE. HP VEE works with

Meilhaus's data-acquisition boards, serial-interface

boards and intelligent-sensor modules to create

comprehensive data-acquisition software for personal

computers.

o HP VEE is part of HP TestSpan -- the industry's first

all- inclusive approach to developing product test

systems. HP TestSpan includes individual hardware and

software components -- such as HP VEE and HP TestExec

SL -- which are available for test-system developers.

It also includes preintegrated, application-focused

platforms for test developers who want to begin the

system-integration task at a higher level. HP TestSpan

features a complete selection of engineering services,

including racking and cabling, fixturing, software

development and complete turnkey-system development.

U.S. PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

HP VEE for Windows 95, Windows NT, and Windows 3.1 is $995. HP VEE Version 3.2, which adds Windows 95 and Windows NT support, is scheduled to begin shipping in February 1995. HP VEE Version 3.2 for HP-UX and Sun workstations also is expected to begin shipping in February, and its price will be lowered by a third, down to $1,995.

Hewlett-Packard Company is a leading global manufacturer of computing, communications and measurement products and services recognized for excellence in quality and support. HP has 99,900 employees and had revenue of $25 billion in its 1994 fiscal year. -0-

NOTE: Windows is a U.S. trademark of Microsoft Corp. Additional information on products from HP's Test & Measurement Organization can be obtained on the World Wide Web via http://www.tmo.hp.com. -0-

NOTE TO THE EDITOR: Sales information may be obtained by calling 1-800-452-4844 ext. 1142. Please do NOT use editor-contact or corporate telephone numbers for sales information.

Information in this release applies specifically to products available in the United States. Product availability and specifications may vary in non-U.S. markets.

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CONTACT: Hewlett-Packard

Dave Hoesing, 970/593-2757

Sydney Avey, 408/553-7088