CheckSum Corporate Backgrounder February 2005 Contact: Charla ...

CheckSum’s Philosophy
1. In-circuit test is a mature technology. Though it is a critical technology for
electronics manufacturing, few significant developments have occurred in the past
decade.
2. The fault spectrum has changed dramatically in the past 5 years. Component failure
rates have declined dramatically, reducing the need for sophisticated digital backdrive
technology.
3. Loss of access and high-speed digital devices are limiting the coverage of ICT and
forcing manufacturers to utilize AOI, AXI, and boundary scan technologies.
4. Traditional in-circuit testers--designed to detect the typical fault spectrum of the
1980’s--require very expensive fixtures, programs, and support, though their
distinguishing technologies are not required for the typical boards of today.
5. Low-cost in-circuit testers detect manufacturing defects and have operating costs of
less than half those of traditional ICT. Also, low-cost systems can be acquired for
1/10 th to 1/3 rd the price of traditional testers.
6. Electronics manufacturers can justify the purchase of low-cost ICT for use on the
80% of their boards that do not require traditional ICT solely based on the reduction
in operating costs.
7. Tester portfolio strategy, utilizing a combination of low-cost and traditional ICT,
allows electronics manufacturers to ensure that each project is put on the appropriate
tester while eliminating unnecessary costs associated with deploying technology that
is not required by the job.
8. North American electronics manufacturers are currently wasting over $250 million
per year in unnecessary fixture, program, and support costs for traditional in-circuit
testers that are being used when low-cost ICT would suffice.
Management Team
CheckSum is a growing, privately held company that is committed to the board test industry.
In 2003, CheckSum was acquired from its founders by a group of private investors who saw
the opportunity of expanding the role of low-cost ICT within the electronics manufacturing
market. CheckSum represented a unique opportunity because it had developed the best lowcost
ICT products and had primarily relied on word-of-mouth advertising, having grown
steadily for 17 years without ever having a sales force. The investors found that CheckSum’s
satisfied customer base was unique in the board test industry and are committed to expanding
CheckSum’s presence by introducing CheckSum’s products to the numerous potential
customers who may not know that there is a viable alternative to traditional “big iron” ICT.
CheckSum’s owners looked at over 200 manufacturing companies before acquiring
CheckSum in 2003. The ownership group consists of over a dozen business executives who
lead and advise numerous successful private and public companies.
John VanNewkirk, CheckSum’s President and CEO, believes that the time has come for
economics to play a more significant role in the selection of in-circuit testers, as they have
reached the mature phase of their development and the performance of low-cost ICT and
high-cost ICT is identical for most boards.
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