National Instruments Announces PC-Based Solution for Matrimonially Inept

AUSTIN, Texas -- April 1, 1998 -- National Instruments announced today a new hardware and software system designed for scientists and engineers who are looking for a PC-based solution for finding a spouse. The new Spousal Acquisition Toolkit combines the company's IMAQ hardware and software for image acquisition and analysis with BioBench, a PC-based turnkey data acquisition and analysis software package for acquiring and analyzing data from real-world physiological signals.

"This was something of a reversal in paradigms for us," said Carsten Thomsen, Vice President of Engineering. "Normally, our products acquire data, then analyze it. With the Spousal Acquisition Toolkit, the analysis comes before the acquisition. We really had to rethink the entire process."

"We've had enormous success with the beta testing of this new product on National Instruments employees," said Tim Dehne, Vice President of Marketing (and user of the alpha version of the product). "It worked for John and Kathleen Pasquarette (Product Marketing and Sales); it worked for Devin and Candi Shelgren (Events and International Sales); it worked for Tad Druart and Nancy Bahl (Public Relations and Software Marketing); it worked for Alison McGinnis and Travis Ferguson (Corporate Marketing and DAQ Marketing). GPIB Marketing Manager Amar Patel has already placed his order."

"I can't wait!" said Patel, beaming.

About the Spousal Acquisition Toolkit
The Spousal Acquisition Toolkit is a PC-based image and physiological signal acquisition and analysis system that helps single men and women acquire real-world data on potential spouses. It is designed to replace costly classified ads and dating agencies that have a limited history of success. Now, users in social environments have a flexible, PC-based spousal acquisition tool that improves flexibility and lowers costs. Incorporating the full 132 Mbytes/s PCI bus bandwidth plus the throughput speed of the custom National Instruments MITE ASIC, users have a real-time display of 30 frames/second for critical go/no go decisions. Once the "go" decision is reached after analysis, on-line help and wizards can coach novice users through initial attempts at conversation, minimizing the risk of bad throughput.

About National Instruments
National Instruments, a leading supplier of computer-based measurement and automation products, is run by people with a well-developed sense of humor who would not punish the Web team for a once-per-year bit of tomfoolery -- April Fools!! The company manufactures and sells hundreds of software and hardware products which, when combined with industry-standard computers, are used for test, measurement, and industrial automation applications.

National Instruments stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market System under the symbol NATI. Investment information may be obtained from the company's Investor Relations Department by visiting the company's Web site at www.ni.com/nati, sending e-mail to nati@ni.com or by calling (512) 349-5090.

Availability and For More Information
The Spousal Acquisition Toolkit is available now. For more information, contact:
National Instruments
11500 N Mopac Expwy
Austin, Texas 78759-3504

Or call toll free in the U.S. and Canada at (800) 258-7022, fax (512) 683-8411, e-mail info@ni.com. Readers can also access information through the company's Web site at www.ni.com

Editor Contacts:
Matt Jacobs
Reader Contact:
Ernest Martinez
National Instruments
(800) 258-7022

Related Links:

• Image acquisition
• BioBench