Certified Interface to SAP™ ’s R/3® Helps Assure Speed and Ease of Implementation

Westford, Massachusetts -- September 7, 1999 -- GenRad, Inc. (NYSE: GEN) today announced it has received SAP interface certification for its Shop Floor Data Manager (SFDM) solution under the SAP™ Production Planning - Plant Data Collection (PDC CC2) interface protocol, part of the SAP Complementary Software Program.

SFDM, one of the manufacturing suite solutions of GenRad’s GR Software business unit, is a highly scalable and robust Manufacturing Execution System (MES) ideally suited for the electronics and automotive industries. The interface between SFDM and the SAP R/3® inter-enterprise business solution links shop orders and completions in SFDM directly with R/3 providing greater visibility to enterprise planners on the status of production. Certification under the SAP interface protocol ensures customers of the ability of SFDM to interact seamlessly with SAP R/3 solutions.

Steve Holford, President of GenRad’s GR Software business unit, noted "Certified interfacing with SAP R/3 extends the value we offer by making it easier for customers to deploy our solution within a global enterprise solution framework. The link between Manufacturing Control, Execution and Planning that the SFDM interface to R/3 provides will help our customers to improve their manufacturing capability and competitive position."

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 Solutions (EMS), and GR Software (GRS). GenRad’s web site address is http://www.genrad.com.

SAP, R/3 and all SAP product and service names referenced herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP AG. Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

GenRad’s most current shareholder information is available by visiting our Website at http://www.genrad.com or calling our Fax on Demand Service at (800) 469-1261.

Statements made in this press release which are not historical, including statements regarding future performance, product capabilities 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 for the quarter ended July 3, 1999 under the section "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations – Factors That May Affect Future Results."