OTS9000 Product Family and GenRad's GR Versa OT Offers Market's Only Off-The-Shelf Optical Production Test Solution

BEAVERTON, Ore., -- February 27, 2001 -- Tektronix, Inc. (NYSE: TEK), a leading provider of optical network test and monitoring equipment for the communications industry, and GenRad, Inc. (NYSE: GEN), a global leader in electronics manufacturing productivity solutions, today announced they have entered into a joint development partnership in which Tektronix's optical test equipment will be incorporated into GenRad's functional test systems to create a fully-integrated optical test solution for electronics manufacturers.

The Tektronix OTS9000 product family, the first modular optical test system specifically designed to test dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) systems at 10 Gb/s (gigabits per second), will be integrated in to the GenRad GR Versa OTTM, a PXI/CompactPCI-based test solution designed to support functional test of optical network products in a production environment.

The modular architecture of the OTS9000 enables manufacturers to tailor an optical test system to their specific needs, and grow it for future requirements, while still utilizing the same platform and software environment of the GR Versa. The low-cost, fully integrated single-rack system is specifically designed to meet the standards of OC-192 optical communication equipment. The small footprint system, combined with the ability to test multiple units simultaneously, gives electronics manufacturers a cost-effective solution that minimizes floor space requirements.

"Where other vendors integrate and develop test programs on a case-by-case basis, our partnership with GenRad will enable us to offer communications equipment manufacturers off-the-shelf solutions resulting in faster implementation in their production line," said Scott Bausback, vice president, Communications Business Unit, Tektronix. "By combining our world-class modular 10 Gb/s OTS9000 system with GenRad's switching and routing systems, Optical Test Library and worldwide customer support, we are helping our customers to be successful through better flexibility and management of capital assets."

"Time-to-market, flexibility, and support are three critical success factors in the production testing of optical network systems," stated Jim Ficaro, Vice President of GenRad's Functional Solutions group. "GenRad and Tektronix have co-developed solutions that make these factors easier to achieve."

The GR Versa OT offers the option to incorporate the PXIscanTM optical switching modules. These switch modules have integral power splitters, which minimize the need for external switching, instrumentation, and cabling. These features result in a tightly integrated solution that provides superior reliability, measurement repeatability, and accuracy.

Additionally, the fully integrated system is easy to operate and offers more accurate, faster test development procedures than are currently available with other systems on the market.

GenRad's GR Versa OT responds to the growing fiber optical network testing marketplace, which is expected to grow to $1.6 billion by 2003 according to the National Electronic Manufacturing Initiative (NEMI).

GenRad will demonstrate the system at the EtroniX tradeshow from February 27 - March 1 in Anaheim, CA. System deliveries will commence in Q2 of this year.

About Tektronix

Tektronix, Inc. is a test, measurement and monitoring company providing measurement solutions to the telecommunications, computer and semiconductor industries worldwide. With over 50 years of experience, Tektronix enables its customers to design, build, deploy and manage next-generation global communications networks and Internet technologies. Headquartered in Beaverton, Ore., Tektronix has operations in 26 countries worldwide. Tektronix' Web address is www.tektronix.com.

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.

Tektronix is a registered trademark of Tektronix, Inc. All other trade names referenced are the service marks, trademarks, or registered trademarks of their respective companies.