Tandem Hones Competitive Edge with Worldwide ISO Manufacturing Certification; Recent registrations with prestigious International Standards Organization support sales of NonStop Himalaya servers, Windows NT Server-based systems, and Integrity servers.

CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 29, 1997--Tandem Computers Incorporated today announced that it has received ISO (International Standards Organization) 9002 certification by the National Standards Authority of Ireland for the company's U.S. manufacturing operation. As a result of this registration, both of Tandem's manufacturing plants reporting to Lowell Trangsrud, vice president of worldwide manufacturing, are now ISO registered. The U.S. plant is located in Fremont, Calif. and the European facility, certified in 1994, is in Stirling, Scotland. Several other Tandem divisions throughout the world have received ISO certification during the last 3 years.

The ISO is responsible for setting quality standards for product design, development, support, and manufacturing processes.

The significance of Tandem's worldwide manufacturing certification is twofold, according to Pete Pappanastos, Tandem's director of quality for worldwide manufacturing. "First, it gives Tandem's sales and marketing organization an advantage in the international arena," Pappanastos said. "Since our worldwide compliance with ISO manufacturing standards forms part of our competitive `tool kit,' our sales teams are able to make a stronger sales proposition to buyers of Non-Stop(r) Himalaya(r) servers, UNIX(r) system-based Integrity(r) servers, and Windows NT(r) Server-based systems. That's especially true in fast-growing overseas markets for government, telecommunications, and financial-related applications."

"Second, and equally important, ISO certification demonstrates Tandem's overriding commitment to continuous process improvement," Pappanastos continued. "It also reflects Tandem employees' willingness to work together as a team on implementing and maintaining quality processes.

"In order for us to achieve ISO registration for the Fremont operation, nearly 500 employees had to adhere to formalized manufacturing procedures," he said. "Plus, they had to be ready for an ISO audit in less than a year if we were to be certified on schedule. The fact that our employees accomplished this feat is testimony not only to the quality of Tandem's processes, but also to the quality of our people."

At Tandem, cutting-edge technology helps ensure process compliance

Obtaining and retaining ISO manufacturing certification requires ongoing compliance with quality procedures in five key areas: purchasing and material control; storage and handling of products and components; handling of nonconforming material; manufacturing, test, and documentation processes; and adherence to engineering drawings and specifications in purchasing, manufacturing, and test.

At the Fremont operation, Tandem's cutting-edge manufacturing technologies ensure process compliance among employees. These technologies include publishing and continuously updating all manufacturing procedures on Tandem's internal Web site. Because any process change or improvement immediately appears online, employees always have access to the most up-to-date procedure for a given function.

Tandem is ISO certified worldwide

Numerous other Tandem operations are ISO certified, including: NonStop Hardware Development Division in Cupertino, Calif.; Worldwide Partner Support and Services group, based in Cupertino; and various operations of Tandem subsidiaries in Australia, Denmark, Japan, Norway, Sweden, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Quality translates to customer satisfaction

In Japan, for example, the ISO 9002 certification for Tandem's Technical Support and Services organization focuses on the installation and maintenance of Tandem computer systems (excluding Integrity C-series and NR). Yasuo Arano, managing director of Tandem's Technical Support and Services, said, "Our basic policy is that quality enhances customer satisfaction. With our Japan Quality Requirement (JQR), we define and meet numerically based quality objectives every year. JQR is one of the most important programs for meeting high customer standards and expectations."

About Tandem

Founded in 1974, Tandem Computers Incorporated (NYSE:TDM) designs and delivers technology solutions that companies rely on to compete in a business world that runs 24 hours a day. A US$1.9 billion company headquartered in Cupertino, California, Tandem has offices, strategic partners, and service providers in more than 50 countries.

Tandem press materials are also available on NEWSdesk International, on the World Wide Web at http://www.newsdesk.com . -0-

Note to Editors: Tandem, Himalaya, Integrity, NonStop, and the Tandem logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Tandem Computers Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. Windows NT is a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries. UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open Company Ltd. All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

For online product information:

If you are interested in viewing information about Tandem, please visit the Tandem home page at http://www.tandem.com . To receive product information via phone, call [phone] in the United States and Canada. To request information via e-mail, send a message to [e-mail] .

For more information:

Dave Collins, Tandem, [phone], [e-mail]

CONTACT: Tandem Computers Inc.

David Collins, 408/285-5833

http://www.tandem.com