Add-on Tools Program Revamped for More Rigorous Testing and Quality

Just a heads-up for all our Add-on Developers, our LabVIEW partner team is accepting prioritized applications through the end of May, to guarantee that your LabVIEW-based product will be tested with the LabVIEW 2010 beta.   Any company that has a LabVIEW add-on product or driver is eligible, it’s free to participate, and upon review of your product we will provide you with technical feedback and ideas on how to improve your add-on.

Another thing that’s cool about this program, is that we’ve recently introduced different levels of “Compatibility” to differentiate between the maturation of different products.  For example, if you have a new product, you can start out at the Standard level to begin with and simply demonstrate to us that you’ve met the LabVIEW Style guidelines.  (We aim to keep it pretty lightweight to get started)  Over time, to achieve the highest level (Gold), we put your product through the ringer with integration and usability testing, and also require the product is field proven and was coded by a Certified LabVIEW Developer (CLD) or Certified LabVIEW Architect (CLA).  This means a great deal to other LabVIEW developers, who end up using your product in their applications, because the Compatible with LabVIEW logo means it’s been reviewed or tested by NI and meets LabVIEW best practices.   

By the way, there’s a lot of marketing benefits that accompany this program, such as using the program logo on your own website and product brochures, a product listing on ni.com, newsletter features, and booth signage at NIWeek.  And while we’re not ready to let the cat out of the bag just yet, we’ll have a lot more exciting news about our re-launch of the LabVIEW Tools Network at a late date, which is tightly coupled with the Compatible with LabVIEW program. 

Here’s how to get involved with testing your product with LabVIEW 2010:

1. The first step is to join the LabVIEW 2010 beta if you’re not already on it:  ni.com/beta.   We’re happy to help with putting together a testing plan for your product if you are looking for ideas.
2. Next, go to the Add-on Dev Center to apply for the Compatible with LabVIEW program ni.com/addondevcenter.  Be sure to apply by May 28^th to meet the NIWeek prioritized deadline.  (otherwise, we accept applications year round)

Let us know what you think about the changes to the program, and keep the applications coming!

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