National Technical Systems Accredited by USB Implementers Forum For USB 3.0 Certification Testing

CALABASAS, Calif., March 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- National Technical Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: NTSC) (NTS), a leading provider of testing and engineering services, announced today that it has been authorized by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) to perform USB 3.0 certification testing. USB-IF is a non-profit organization formed to provide support and also provide a forum for the advancement and adoption of USB technology. Starting today, USB manufacturers will be able to submit their products directly to NTS to get them quickly tested and certified for the USB 3.0 standard and quickly brought to market.

USB is the latest version of the omnipresent standard that covers computer products and peripherals from mice and keyboards to external hard drives and monitors. The latest version of the standard, USB 3.0 also known as SuperSpeed USB, features transfer speeds up to 10 times faster than the USB 2.0 protocol, while still remaining backwards compatible with USB 2.0 devices. In addition, USB 3.0 devices will be more power efficient, but also able to use more power via the cable as well.

"This certification is yet another demonstration of the breadth of testing services and capabilities NTS offers," said CEO William McGinnis. "The adoption of SuperSpeed USB products is expected to accelerate rapidly this year and in the future and we are pleased to be an important part of this process for customers all over the world."

NTS performs testing of USB 3.0 products using the same test procedures which have been tested and refined at numerous USB "plugfests" over the past year, which NTS has participated in and helped validate.

"For almost a decade, NTS has performed testing of the entire range of USB products – from early USB 1.1 peripherals to the latest USB 3.0 peripherals," said Osman Sakr, NTS Chief Technology Officer. "The SuperSpeed USB standard is a quantum leap forward, and will require detailed testing to verify that devices are compatible with this new standard. NTS is looking forward to continuing to work closely with the USB Implementers Forum in providing high-quality compliance and certification services for USB developers."

"SuperSpeed USB certification helps ensure interoperability and backward compatibility with the billions of USB products on the market," said Jeff Ravencraft, USB-IF President & COO. "NTS has been an integral part of USB compliance testing since the beginning, and has served as a resource to our manufacturers. We look forward to continued support from NTS as one of our authorized independent test labs."

"Cypress has used NTS for years to perform all our USB certification testing. We know that if NTS has tested and certified our products, they will work," said Hussein Osman, Cypress Semiconductor Systems Design Engineering Manager. "NTS always gets our products tested quickly, and when bugs do pop-up, are quick to help us lock those down so they can be fixed. NTS is a leader in USB certification and always will be."

About National Technical Systems
National Technical Systems, Inc. is a leading provider of engineering services to the aerospace, defense, telecommunications, automotive and high technology markets. Through a world-wide network of resources, NTS provides full product life-cycle support, offering world class design engineering, compliance, testing, certification, quality registration and program management. For additional information about NTS, visit our website at www.nts.com or call 800-270-2516.

Forward-Looking Statements
The statements in this press release that relate to future plans, events or performance, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with uncertainties pertaining to customer orders, demand for services and products, development of markets for the companies' services and products and other risks identified in the companies' SEC filings. Actual results, events and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The companies undertake no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding National Technical Systems' business which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report or Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year.

SOURCE National Technical Systems, Inc.