The software embedded in high-tech equipment allows vendors to offer an astounding variety of features to their customers. But, while technology advances and competitive pressures drive companies to rapidly add new features and expedite product release cycles, the process for validating equipment has not changed significantly to keep pace with technology changes. As a result, equipment vendors may think they are left with the undesirable choice of either shipping products before they are adequately tested or missing time-to-market opportunities. Kingston explores how test automation tools can remedy this problem.