Creation of NSTL (India) Opens Global IT Marketplace to Indian Software and Hardware Vendors

Software and hardware vendors in India can now improve their opportunities to compete on the world IT stage with the help of the newly established NSTL (India), an independent testing facility operated by National Software Testing Laboratories.

The creation of NSTL (India) means IT developers and vendors will have local access to testing programs offered by NSTL around the globe, including logo verification programs, the "NSTL Tested" logo program, and other services.

"The IT industry in India is experiencing the identical growing pains that Taiwan experienced 10 years ago," said Lloyd Holder, CEO of NSTL (US), about the anticipated $50 billion economic impact the IT industry will have on India by 2004. "With the establishment of NSTL (India), developers in that country are given equal footing with others around the world so they can further contribute their creative talents to the international IT industry."

Among specific services offered by NSTL (India) will be the popular NSTL logo certification programs. Sponsored by an IT company or forum, logo programs ensure that new vendor products are compatible with the sponsoring company's existing systems, software, and other peripherals. Once an application is tested and demonstrates high quality, the sponsoring company issues a logo that is used on marketing materials, packaging, sales presentations, and for other promotional activities. Currently, NSTL administers logo programs to a variety of companies, including Microsoft®, Red Hat, Hewlett-Packard®, QUALCOMM®, and USB™.

NSTL (India) will also administer the "NSTL Tested" logo program, a custom-made test procedure for independent developers and vendors. NSTL (India) will award the "NSTL Tested" logo to vendors whose products successfully pass in-depth tests and who demonstrate a commitment to quality. Vendors use the test results and the "NSTL Tested" logo to validate their sales and marketing claims and assure their clients of the product quality. Acer, Canon, Compaq®, DaeWoo Telecom, Dell, Intel®, Microsoft, and Sharp® are among the companies that have taken advantage of the "NSTL Tested" program.

"NSTL is excited about its expansion into India and is committed to helping its vendors reach their potential as a force within the global IT industry," said Sashi Reddi, President of NSTL (India), adding that NSTL (India) will be fully operational by October 1.

India's IT industry is emerging as one of the fastest growing in the world. Between 1999 and 2000, the Indian IT industry was estimated to earn $8.67 billion, up nearly 50 percent from the year before and almost double the growth rate of other developed countries.

In addition to the logo verification programs, NSTL (India), like NSTL's locations in North America, Europe, and the Far East, will offer product testing to IT vendors. Test procedures will cover basic functionality; compatibility with leading hardware and software; cosmetic and linguistic testing of complex localizations; and load and stress testing.

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 is a world-recognized authority in hardware and software performance, compatibility, usability, and functionality testing. Additional NSTL service offerings include Web and e-commerce testing, IT procurement support services, logo and validation programs, testing of wireless technologies, and outsourcing services.

NSTL has operations in the US, UK, Canada, Taiwan, China, and Japan. Major clients include 3Com Corp., Acer, Canadian Federal Government, Compaq, Dell, Epson, HP, IBM, Intel, Lexmark, Microsoft, Motorola, Philips Electronics, QUALCOMM, Symantec, and Wyse Technologies. For more information, visit http://www.nstl.com/.

  Contacts:
  Ted Erfer                      Jyotin Mehta
  Director, Sales & Marketing    Business Development Manager
  NSTL                           NSTL (India)
  +1-215-753-6132                91-40-662-8222
  ted@nstl.com                   JM@nstl-india.com

  Daniel J. Brennan
  Senior PR Consultant
  Schubert Communications
  +1-610-269-2100, ext. 223
  dbrennan@schubert.com

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SOURCE: NSTL

Contact: Ted Erfer, Director, Sales & Marketing of NSTL, +1-215-753-6132, ted@nstl.com; or Jyotin Mehta, Business Development Manager of NSTL (India), 91-40-662-8222, JM@nstl-india.com; or Daniel J. Brennan Senior PR Consultant of Schubert Communications, +1-610-269-2100, ext. 223, dbrennan@schubert.com

Web site: http://www.nstl.com/