Press Releases

Guidance Published for Microsoft Windows Vista Compatibility Testing

~ Bureau Veritas – Allion, a leading interoperability testing service provider, issues best practice Microsoft Vista Compatibility guidelines for suppliers of technology products ~

December 8, 2006 – TAIPEI, Taiwan - With the imminent launch of the new Microsoft Operating System, Windows Vista, Bureau Veritas-Allion has developed best practice guidelines to ensure the interoperability of technology products (cameras, MP3 players, printers, speakers, card readers, etc…) with Vista. Bureau Veritas-Allion is recommending that for all compliance testing programs, products should be tested with Vista Beta 2 software as well as previous releases such as XP, 2000, etc. By partnering with Bureau Veritas - Allion, manufacturers and retailers of private-label technology products can benefit from expert advice and different tiers of services to suit every scenario. This will all go to help ensure products will function with the new operating system prior to putting them on the market.

Windows Vista is the next generation and soon-to-be available Microsoft Windows Operating System release to follow Windows XP. The most noticeable change from Windows XP to Vista is its significantly redesigned user interface, which aims to be “authentic, energetic, reflective and open.” End-users may encounter compatibility problems when using their current product on a new Operating System. Technology manufacturers that do not test their products for compliance may encounter problems such as “system detects an unknown device”, “cannot work in power saving mode”; “system format issue”; among others.

In order to prevent such an incident and ensure compatibility, Bureau Veritas-Allion has developed different levels of testing and debugging solutions to ensure compatible products and market release dates are not affected.

• As a standard part of their FULL level of testing, Bureau Veritas-Allion recommends testing with Apple MAC OS, Linux and other operating systems based on the products’ intended use.
• For a cost effective and fast review of a products’ compatibility with Microsoft Vista, Bureau Veritas-Allion recommends their QUICK level of interoperability testing, which will let technology product suppliers know where their product stands with respect to the next generation of software operating systems. This service is recommended for most private-labeled technology products.
• Full certification services are also available for Microsoft Operating Systems that allow products to carry the “Designed for Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista Capable” label. Bureau Veritas-Allion recommends that all private-labeled technology products carry the Windows logo.

About Bureau Veritas

Bureau Veritas is a leading international conformity assessment body with 280,000 clients, 23,000 employees, 700 offices and laboratories in 140 countries. They have been active in testing and inspections since 1828; forward-looking and fast-growing, they have realized a 16% growth per annum since 1995.

Bureau Veritas Electrical, benefiting from significant investment in recent years, now encompasses many of the major international test and certification companies including ADT, Curtis-Straus and LCIE. Together, they provide state-of-the-art capabilities and knowledgeable experts and laboratories in every major trading region of the world. Bureau Veritas supports clients all over the world locally, whilst testing is carried out at the source of manufacture so as to improve time to market.

The Allion laboratory was established in Taiwan over 15 years ago and in 2005 formed an alliance with Bureau Veritas. Bureau Veritas-Allion is dedicated to the verification of computers, operating systems and peripherals and their associated interoperability. The service offered can either be a bespoke customer requirement, a turnkey plug & play verification or a more formal Logo / Certification Program.

As well as the Interoperability testing and Windows logo certification program, Bureau Veritas-Allion can offer private label Technology products the required safety agency marks for USA, Canada and European Union. In addition they can test to EMC standards such as FCC requirements and EMC directive. For products destined for the EU they are also a leading RoHS compliance provider.

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