The sophistication of the software in today’s embedded system products creates a paradoxical situation in which end-users, and even a company’s own telephone support staff, are unable to determine whether a particular system’s failure mode is the result of user error, software or configuration problems, or an actual hardware failure.

The Typical Response

IIn an attempt to placate their end-user customers, many companies are incurring large costs swapping out hardware or sending out field service personnel for units that are actually completely functional. These reported ‘bad’ units can cost a company hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of dollars a year in additional support and engineering costs, lost revenue, and damaged reputation, without ever allowing the company to discover and deal with the root cause of the problem.

A Better Process

Kozio’s VTOS™ provides the foundation for an inexpensive power-on self-test (POST) solution that can be shipped with every board. Called VTOS-POST™, Kozio’s solution allows a test package to be configured to functionally test memory and other peripheral devices every time the system’s power is cycled, or only when a switch or other external control is enabled. When problems occur in the field, the results of this test set provide the objective data required to know whether a hardware return or a field service call is in order.

Join Others in Moving to a Best Practices Approach

Kozio’s VTOS-POST solution has been implemented by major OEMs, leading to demonstrable bottom line savings, along with the significant intangible benefits that come from reducing uncertainty in dealing with customer service issues. If field service and return issues are a problem for your company, we welcome your inquiry on how VTOS-POST can be part of a solution.

Display System Test Video

Benefits of Kozio's Field Test Solution

• Greatly cut the cost of unneeded hardware returns
• Reduce service calls due to end-user configuration issues
• Gather objective data on whether a swap or service call is necessary
• Avoid damage to corporate reputation caused by multiple hardware swaps
• Better information on root causes of product problems
• Custom-tailored functional tests available
• Tests can be run at every power cycle, or when a switch is set
• If a service call is made, detailed functional diagnostics information is available
• Available via an inexpensive per-unit license