Percept Technology Labs Introduces Usability Testing Services

For immediate release

Companies Learn Exactly How Their Customers Will Respond To New Products

Boulder, CO — October 29, 2003 - Introducing a new product to market is risky business. Today's firms simply cannot afford the bad press or costly recalls that can result from products which do not meet customer expectations. Percept Technology Labs helps companies understand exactly how their customers will use and respond to new products, packaging and user manuals by conducting independent, unbiased usability testing and "Out Of Box Experience" audits.

Usability Testing

According to Brian Cleveland, CEO at Percept, "Percept is pleased to introduce usability testing to show exactly how end users react to and utilize products in a true user environment. By identifying the possible problems and complications that customers may experience with products, usability testing allows firms to correct these issues, improve customer satisfaction, and lower overall service costs — thus enhancing their bottom line profitability and credibility."

Specializing in usability testing, the Percept team receives, sets up, and operates products exactly as intended customers do, and then provides a complete and intensive evaluation of the product including:

• Set-up procedure accuracy and efficiency, including quick start guide ease of use
• Operating system / interface setup and compatibility (if applicable)
• Thorough check-out and operation of all user accessible functions including hardware and software functional testing
• Exception testing (how else could a customer use the product?)
• Documentation completeness and accuracy
• Packaging effectiveness and first impressions
• Human Factors analysis and recommendations
  

Percept can usually perform a complete usability test on a product in 2-3 days, including a customized, comprehensive test report. This detailed document shows exactly how well products meet customer expectations and offers specific suggestions for product improvement.

Product Evaluations & Audits

Going beyond usability testing, full Product Evaluation and Out Of Box Experience Audits insure that products will meet requirements in a broad range of categories.

These detailed audits include all usability tests listed above plus:

• Interoperability in the intended environment
• Comprehensive functional testing & margin analysis
• Verification of proper global compliance certifications for the intended market in countries around the world
• Technical & customer support performance and service level
• Warranties and return process validation
• Competitive analysis and testing of competitive products

About Percept Technology Labs

Percept Technology Labs is an established, independent product test and certification services company, with a proven track record of helping customers test and improve products since 1996. Percept specializes in technology products — providing complete test services and expertise for today's complex offerings.

Percept's experts customize a test plan for each client's specific needs; fully testing and proving product capabilities and performance in an independent, state-of-the-art lab located in Boulder, Colorado. As an alternative to in-house testing, Percept's specialized technology testing expertise, in-depth experience and absolute commitment to customer care empower the Percept team to deliver proven, objective results that enable clients to launch products with confidence. To learn more about Percept's Usability Testing, or the full line of Product Testing, Compliance Certification and Reliability Services, visit www.percept.com or call 303-444-7480.

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