Customized Testing

IATSD provides comprehensive, confidential testing of a single device or of multiple devices. When IATSD performs competitive testing of two or more devices, clients may compare the tested performance of the various competitive imaging devices. In addition, IATSD is available for technical consulting, and, based upon the client's needs, will design marketing materials, as well as sales and technical-training curriculum, based upon the client's needs. IATSD will also provide executive-level technology briefings concerning varied technology topics, such as trends in network-management software, remote device-management over intranets and extranets, etc.

• Reliability testing of digital imaging devices, including both hardware and software.
• Testing of imaging products' network connectivity and performance.
• Testing of color imaging devices, including digital color laser copiers and desktop color laser printers, and analysis of color image quality and color fidelity.
• Materials-compatibility testing (including recycled and remanufactured products, such as recycled paper and recycled toner cartridges).
• Throughput studies (i.e., test the ability of imaging devices to print/copy onto film, labels and paper of various stock and weight).
• Energy-consumption testing.
• Technical consulting and applications.
• Life-cycle cost and productivity studies.

Terry Wirth, director of Industry Analysts Technical Services, was previously Manager of Product Evaluations for Buyers Laboratory Inc., and has over 20 years of experience in the testing of office-automation equipment. He is former chairman of the American Society for the Testing of Materials (ASTM) F05 Committee on Business Imaging Products, and has been a member of ASTM since 1989.

IATSD uses standard laboratory practices, test methods and procedures, such as those published by ASTM. IATSD performs testing using tests specified by the client, tests recommended or designed by IATSD, or a combination of both.

Network Connectivity Testing: All test units are installed at IATSD's facility in a secure, confidential test site and on Ethernet local area networks running Novell IntranetWare 4.11 and Windows NT 4.0.

• Ease of installation and accuracy of the installation instructions.
• Hardware and software configuration and functionality.
• Print-driver and software-utility operation and functionality using Windows 98 and in the Windows NT and Novell IntranetWare network operating environments.
• Remote diagnostics and management.
• Explicitness and accuracy of the documentation.
• Network-printer productivity.

Operation and functionality of every user capability provided by the Microsoft Office 2000 Professional Software Suite, including the user's selection of duplexing, paper source, document finishing, remote verification of device status, etc.