GR FORCE's proven fast performance and quick response times enables electronics manufacturers to realize many improvements such as shorter time to market and shorter time to volume. Additionally, the software solution provides reduced variability, higher quality control, increased production volume, and increased profitability.

Building on its line of hardware and software solutions for optimizing the electronics manufacturing process, GenRad's GR FORCE software suite includes modules specifically designed to accelerate the manufacturing and production process from start to finish. With this modular solution, electronics manufacturers can now realize shorter time to market, shorter time to volume, reduced variability, increased production volume, and increased profitability. The GR FORCE modules include:

• WIP/Force:
  Manages all Work In Progress (WIP) with real-time visibility. Controls routing and manages production queues throughout the entire production process.
• QUALITY/Force:
  Manages and analyzes yields, defects, and the entire New Product Introduction (NPI) process. New products move to market faster without compromising quality standards.
• PROCESS/Force:
  Provides the ability to perform real-time, closed loop (if required) process management and control. Statistical Process Control (SPC), alarming to point of cause, and upstream feedback all combine to continually improve the production process.
• GENEALOGY/Force:
  Extensive ability to track every aspect of traceability for electronic production. From components on the board to circuit boards in frames through to packaged consumer units in boxes on pallets, the product genealogy is continually tracked and maintained.
• DEMAND/Force:
  Orders from the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) or other planning systems are brought into GR FORCE for launching. Production priorities can be based on customer requirements, plant capacities and real-time feedback from manufacturing operations.
• INVENTORY/Force:
  Accurate and timely visibility of inventory from raw materials, floor stock through to finished goods in the warehouse. Benefits include reductions in inventory turns through improved visibility of raw materials, WIP and finished goods.

GR FORCE is fully scalable regardless of the implementation size - from single point solution to enterprise wide deployment. GR FORCE provides fast performance and response times - especially suited to today's fast moving electronics manufacturing processes and decreased product lifecycles. Additional modules are currently being developed and will be introduced as part of the GR FORCE suite.

"GR Force is a tremendous step forward for any electronics manufacturer that wants to have control over their entire process," stated Ron Lindell, Vice President of GenRad's Process Solutions group. "The modular delivery of these applications allows manufacturers to focus on the areas where they see the greatest potential for improvement. They can choose to implement a complete solution or build up, module by module, to a plant wide implementation."

As the worldwide demand for consumer, commercial, and military electronics continues to accelerate, electronics manufacturers must continually refine their processes to achieve peak efficiencies in all areas. Manufacturing software across the entire process is vital for electronics manufacturers to compete in the global marketplace. Analysts predict the market for manufacturing software to support electronics production will be $150M in 2001, growing to $300M in the next 3 years.

About GenRad

GenRad Inc. [NYSE: GEN] is a global leader of electronics manufacturing productivity solutions for contract and original equipment manufacturers [OEM] of handheld and wireless devices, PCs and business servers, DSL and other broadband switching and routing technologies, and other devices integral to emerging Internet e-commerce markets. GenRad also applies its technologies to development of diagnostic solutions for the automotive and general transportation industry.

GenRad is comprised of four lines of business bringing to market integrated hardware, software and service solutions that empower always-on services and un-interruptable business applications:

• Process Solutions focuses on in-circuit test, x-ray test, and re-work solutions as well as plant and line management solutions for electronic product manufacturers.
• Functional Solutions focuses on functional test platforms for manufacturers of telecommunications, computers and automotive electronics.
• Diagnostic Solutions focuses on service bay and manufacturing solutions for transportation OEMs and independent service providers.
• Support and Services focuses on maintenance programs, on-site and remote support, programming services, and training to help customers optimize their hardware and software solutions.

Founded in 1915, GenRad employs approximately 1,400 people and maintains its worldwide headquarters in Westford, MA, USA. The company's Web address is http://www.genrad.com.