National Software Testing Labs Partners with National Business Incubation Association to Provide Startup Companies with Valuable IT Testing Services

Reduced-Cost Testing Gives New Businesses Marketing Leverage While Smoothing the Road to Profitability

PRNewswire
CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa.
May 9, 2001

National Software Testing Laboratories, Inc. (NSTL), the global leader in independent information technology (IT) testing, planning, consulting, and certification, announced it has partnered with the National Business Incubation Association (NBIA) to provide reduced-cost IT testing services to startup companies and entrepreneurs. NBIA is an organization of business incubators -- companies and individuals -- that counsel young firms, helping them grow during the vulnerable startup period (usually defined as the first three years).

The agreement calls for NSTL to offer discounted services -- including Web testing, IT procurement, general hardware and software testing, IT consulting, and logo certification programs -- to members of the NBIA, helping to nurture young companies. Additionally, NSTL will sponsor the 15th International Conference on Incubation, hosted by the NBIA, May 19-22 in San Jose, CA.

"Many young IT companies make the mistake of overlooking the importance of securing independent, third-party evaluations for their products," said Lloyd Holder, Chief Executive Officer of NSTL. "This agreement allows NSTL to provide the forward-thinking members of the NBIA with reliable testing services that can help smooth the path to profitability."

As an independent company, NSTL evaluates hardware systems, software, and peripherals for basic quality assurance, interoperability, stress/capacity, scalability, usability, and functionality. By having products objectively tested, startup companies can bolster their marketing campaigns with supporting documentation while ensuring that products function as designed.

"In today's world economy, providing reliable, quality IT products is vital to a company's success," said Linda Shafer, NBIA Acting Director of Development. "By offering its services at a reduced cost, NSTL is helping the next generation of business leaders gain a stronger foothold in the marketplace."

NBIA members provide startup companies with hands-on management assistance, access to financing, and orchestrated exposure to critical business or technical support services. They also offer shared office services, access to equipment, flexible leases, and expandable space - all under one roof. An estimated 87 percent of companies that have gone through the incubation process have remained in business.

About the NBIA

The National Business Incubation Association is the world's leading organization advancing business incubation and entrepreneurship. It provides thousands of professionals with the information, education, advocacy, and networking resources to bring excellence to the process of assisting early- stage companies. For information, visit http://www.nbia.org/.

About NSTL

NSTL was established in 1983 as the world's first independent IT testing organization. From its suburban Philadelphia headquarters NSTL services both the makers and the buyers of information technology with cutting-edge testing methodologies and consulting services. NSTL service offerings include Web and e-commerce testing, IT procurement support services, logo and certification programs, and outsourcing services. Additionally, NSTL is a world-recognized authority in hardware and software performance, compatibility, usability, and functionality testing.

In addition to NSTL's U.S. headquarters, NSTL has operations in the UK, Canada, Taiwan, Singapore, China, and Japan. Major clients include 3Com Corp., Acer, AT&T, Bureau of the Census, Canadian Federal Government, Compaq, Dell, Epson, HP, IBM, Intel, Lexmark, Lucent, Microsoft, Motorola, NASA, Philips Electronics, Symantec, US Department of Justice, US Navy, US Postal Service, and Wyse Technologies. For more information, visit http://www.nstl.com/.

  Contacts:  Glenn Greenblatt                Daniel J. Brennan
             Sales Executive                 Senior PR Consultant
             NSTL                            Schubert Communications, Inc.
             215-753-6198                    610-269-2100, x223
             glenn@nstl.com                  dbrennan@schubert.com

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SOURCE: National Software Testing Laboratories, Inc.

Contact: Glenn Greenblatt, Sales Executive of NSTL, 215-753-6198,
glenn@nstl.com; or Daniel J. Brennan, Senior PR Consultant of Schubert
Communications, Inc., 610-269-2100 ext. 223, dbrennan@schubert.com, for NSTL

Website: http://www.nstl.com/
http://www.nbia.org/

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