NI TestStand 3.1 Integrates Essential Technologies for Automated Test.

AUSTIN, Texas -- Latest Version of Test Management Software Integrates LabVIEW Express and Real-Time Technology

National Instruments (Nasdaq:NATI) today announced NI TestStand 3.1 test management software, which delivers increased software reuse and test development productivity for design and test integration. NI TestStand 3.1 includes LabVIEW Express technology and LabVIEW Real-Time integration, as well as introduces new features for advanced test execution flow control and auto schedule parallel testing.

"NI TestStand 3.1 is a major step forward in automating tests throughout the product development cycle," said Richard McDonell, NI senior product manager. "With the integration of Express technology, engineers can reuse test code from prototyping through manufacturing with little or no additional programming."

With the ability to call any LabVIEW Express VI in NI TestStand 3.1, validation and test engineers can easily and interactively configure their tests with little programming and minimal training. LabVIEW Express VI integration in NI TestStand 3.1 gives engineers access to more than 40 LabVIEW Express VIs, including Express VIs for interactive configuration and control of NI modular instruments, directly within the NI TestStand environment.

NI TestStand 3.1 also features integration with LabVIEW Real-Time for developing automated test applications requiring deterministic control. New NI TestStand 3.1 step types and LabVIEW module adapter enhancements give engineers the communication links between the automated test system managed by NI TestStand and the deterministic process control running simultaneously in LabVIEW Real-Time. For example, engineers can use LabVIEW Real-Time to control an environmental chamber while NI TestStand manages the execution of tests on the device in the chamber.

The new auto schedule and flow control steps introduced in NI TestStand 3.1 offer engineers advanced test execution flow capabilities. The auto schedule steps incorporate advanced algorithms for automatically scheduling the order in which parallel tests execute to minimize test time and maximize resource utilization.

Flow control step types help engineers visualize and more easily control the order of tests in applications involving step looping and conditional decision making, such as device characterization.

Other features in NI TestStand 3.1 include enhancements to the property loader and TestStand Deployment Utility, integration of an FTP files step type, the ability to import function and parameter information from LabWindows/CVI DLLs without the need for a type library, an example step type for calling legacy PAWS ATLAS test program sets and an Automated Test Markup Language (ATML) result-logging example.

NI TestStand 3.1 seamlessly integrates with a variety of software including NI Switch Executive switch management software, the NI LabVIEW graphical development environment and NI LabWindows/CVI. It also integrates with NI measurement hardware including modular instruments and switches, offering a complete software and hardware platform for automated test.

About NI TestStand

NI TestStand is a ready-to-run, commercial off-the-shelf test management environment and framework for organizing, controlling and executing automated prototype, validation and manufacturing test systems. Engineers can quickly build test sequences with NI TestStand by incorporating tests written in NI LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, Microsoft Visual C/C++, Visual Basic .NET and C#. Built on a high-speed, multithreaded execution engine, NI TestStand delivers the performance to meet most rigorous test throughput requirements.

About National Instruments

National Instruments (www.ni.com) is a technology pioneer and leader in virtual instrumentation -- a revolutionary concept that has changed the way engineers and scientists approach measurement and automation. Leveraging the PC and its related technologies, virtual instrumentation increases productivity and lowers costs through easy-to-integrate software, such as the NI LabVIEW graphical development environment, and modular hardware, such as PXI modules for data acquisition, instrument control and machine vision. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, NI has more than 3,100 employees and direct operations in 40 countries. In 2003, the company sold products to more than 25,000 companies in 90 countries. For the past five years, FORTUNE magazine named NI one of the 100 best companies to work for in America.

Readers may obtain investment information from the company's investor relations department by calling 512-683-5090, by sending e-mail to [e-mail] or by visiting www.ni.com/nati.

Pricing and Contact Information

NI TestStand 3.1 test management software
Priced from $2,995
Web: www.ni.com/swf/teststand/us/launch.htm

11500 N Mopac Expwy, Austin, Texas 78759-3504
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

CVI, LabVIEW, National Instruments, NI, ni.com and NI TestStand are trademarks of National Instruments. Other product and company names listed are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies.