Streamlining customer vendor synergy through distributed test and automated issue reporting by utilizing modern test equipment connectivity and Internet infrastructure

The Internet is enabling a new approach to testing strategies by redistributing traditional test functions between component vendors and equipment integrators. Modern connectivity, design software and graphical programming environments have made it practical to create automated test programs that share information via the Internet. Many tests need no longer be preformed by the system integrator, but can be disturbed to the vendors resulting in powerful economic savings. System integrator, test engineers develop the test programs for their component vendors. This gives their system designers confidence in test. Results are uploaded directly to their database from vendors. Component vendors no longer have to fully re-interpret the meaning or revision of specifications, saving time, and are able to ship product with confidence of acceptance by using the integrators program. Addition benefits are gained through timely automated issue notification via email through the appropriate escalation chain. Latency elimination and file compatibility in test data can be very beneficial when it flows across company boundaries seamlessly. System designers can simulate performance even before the components arrive at their location. This paper reviews the concepts, economics and techniques for redistributing test to shorten the design cycle, increase supply chain efficiency, and reduce capital equipment budgets.