Schlumberger Launches SABER Manufacturing Optimization Services; SABER Leverages Extensive Test Experience and Proven Strategies to Improve Test Floor Productivity.

Business/High-Tech Editors

International Test Conference

Booth No. 933

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 3, 2000

Schlumberger Test & Transactions, a business segment of Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB) announced today that SABER (Schlumberger Advanced Business Engineering Resources) launched a new practice providing Manufacturing Optimization services which enable semiconductor manufacturers to improve test floor productivity.

SABER experts work with test managers and engineers to evaluate current test floor performance and identify the most important areas for improvement. Led by Steve Childress, longtime test operations veteran at Intel, SABER staff then develops a productivity improvement plan and implements solutions that increase efficiency to achieve significant performance gains.

"I believe SABER Manufacturing Optimization services can help customers achieve quantifiable improvements and increased productivity with a multimillion dollar impact on their business," stated Tom Ho, vice president and general manager, SABER, Schlumberger Semiconductor Solutions. "Steve Childress, joining us to lead the Manufacturing Optimization team after almost 30 years of test experience, is a tremendous asset to SABER."

The SABER Manufacturing Optimization practice includes primarily technical services designed to supplement existing productivity efforts and to cover all aspects of test cell operations. One service, Factory Productivity Improvement, is a four-phase offering that includes defining improvement opportunities, designing process changes for the entire cell, demonstrating improvement on the test floor and deploying the solution onto the factory floor. SABER provides the technical resources to optimize a wide range of test cell components including uptime, rework rates, scheduled downtime, changeover rates, configuration design and yield.

"Typical findings to date show at least five optimization opportunities on each test floor," stated Steve Childress, Solutions Business Manager, SABER. "For example, in test cells handling a large product mix, changeover/setup and equipment reliability issues usually provide the biggest opportunities. On the other hand, in test cells focused on high volume single product scenarios, the major opportunities will typically lie in configuration, test time, yield improvement and the opportunity is often counter-intuitive."

Although resources are constrained at most manufacturers, the value of optimizing operations on the test floor is considerable. Gains are calculated in reduced cost per unit/die out, minimum inventory, increased head count efficiency and improved line yields. SABER is uniquely positioned to provide Manufacturing Optimization services, applying their collective expertise in best-known methods gained from working with a broad range of companies.

The Manufacturing Optimization practice also includes highly specialized services such as Test Cell Transfer. Cell transfer is the relocation of a specific test process and includes the associated equipment as well as the working environment of operator knowledge, procedures and, ultimately, yields. The foremost value of this service is time and matching the relocated cell to past performance. Since it takes a number of experts to plan and manage an effective cell move, SABER can provide the incremental dedicated resources with complete test cell expertise to manage the move and ensure a quick return to productivity.

SABER can uniquely apply its global reach by working locally through nine SABER Technology Centers in North America, Europe, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan that are linked by the Schlumberger network, SINet, enabling Remote Collaboration Services. The SABER Technology Institute, in conjunction with the Technology Centers, provides educational programs on a wide range of test topics and methodology.

Schlumberger will highlight the SABER Manufacturing Optimization practice in Booth No. 933 at the International Test Conference, October 3-5, 2000 in Atlantic City, N.J.

About Schlumberger Test & Transactions

Schlumberger Test & Transactions provides consulting, integration and products for testing and measurement of semiconductor devices, smart card-based transactions, IP (Internet protocol) network security and wireless services. With 1999 revenue of $1.2 billion and over 7000 employees in more than 40 countries, it is a business segment of Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB), a global technology services company with 1999 revenue of $8.4 billion. More information is available at www.slb.com.

SABER is a registered trademark of Schlumberger.