| Westford,
MA -- April 23, 1999 -- Today, GenRad, Inc. (NYSE:
GEN) introduced the GPX621, the only 6U CompactPCI/PXI™,
21 slot chassis available today for electronic production
test development as well as system integration for data
acquisition and industrial monitoring and control. The
GPX621 is the first in a series of hardware and software
tools being developed in a joint alliance with National
Instruments announced February 23, 1999. The GPX621 combines
the ability to use both 3U and 6U system controllers and
peripherals, with the capacity to support up to 19 CompactPCI/PXI
peripheral cards, providing the most flexible and cost-effective
solution on the market today.
Mike Schraeder, President of GenRad’s EMS division,
stated, "With the GPX621 users can quickly and
easily configure high performance production test and
system integration solutions to meet today’s stringent
cost and time-to-market requirements."
About the GPX621
The GPX621 is a 19" rack-mountable unit based
on CompactPCI/PXI™ standards. The unit is self-contained
and includes a unique 21 slot, 6U backplane, system
power and forced-air cooling. In addition to accepting
both 3U and 6U boards, the unit can support ATE-style
instruments and a standard receiver. The GPX621 also
supports GenRad’s patented, three-dimensional
switching system, providing the user greater ease of
integration, installation and support. The GPX621 maintains
the small footprint required on today’s manufacturing
floor.
Ideal for Industrial Control and Automation
The GPX621 is ideally suited for solutions providers
in the industrial control and automation environment.
The GPX621 has the expanded slot capability to support
data acquisition from the assembly line, while alleviating
synchronization, integration, and cost issues typically
associated with multi-box solutions.
Availability and Additional Information
The GPX621 is expected to be available for customer
shipment in Q3 of 1999. Further product, feature and
pricing information can be obtained by calling 978-589-7000
or visiting our website at http://www.genrad.com/ems/functional/gpx.
National Instruments Background
National Instruments, a leading supplier of computer-based
measurement and automation products, manufactures and
sells hundreds of software and hardware products which,
when combined with industry-standard computers, replace
and/or communicate with traditional instrumentation
to acquire, analyze, and display data and to monitor
and control processes. These computer-based instrumentation
systems are used for test, measurement, and industrial
automation applications.
National Instruments stock is traded on the NASDAQ
National Market System under the symbol NATI. Investment
information may be obtained from the company’s
Investor Relations Department at (512) 349-5090 or by
sending e-mail to nati@natinst.com
GenRad Background
GenRad, Inc. provides electronics OEMs and their customers
with the hardware, software and services to increase
productivity by optimizing product design, manufacturing
and after-market service. GenRad, headquartered in Westford,
MA, offers products and services through three business
units: Advanced Diagnostic Solutions (ADS), Electronic
Manufacturing Systems (EMS), and GR Software (GRS).
GenRad’s web site address is http://www.genrad.com.
Product and company names listed herein are trademarks
or trade names of their respective companies. Statements
made in this press release which are not historical,
including statements regarding future performance, product
capabilities, product availability, anticipated product
shipment dates and markets are forward looking statements
and as such are subject to a number of risks. Factors
that may cause results to differ materially from those
projected are discussed in GenRad’s 1998 Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending January
2, 1999 and form 10-Q/A for the quarter ended October
3, 1998 under the section "Management’s Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of
Operations – Factors That May Affect Future Results."
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