NEXTSTEP Certified System Program 

A NEXTSTEP Certified System is a specific configuration of an Intel-based PC system that has been tested directly by NeXT for compatibility with NEXTSTEP. Systems undergo a suite of certification tests and are regression-tested throughout the certification period (one year) for any new releases of NEXTSTEP. NeXT can deliver the highest level of support to customers who use NEXTSTEP Certified Systems because of the on-going availability of information on these systems.

Pre-requisite for System Certification 
Only systems that have previously attained the NEXTSTEP Compatible System status (see NeXTanswer #1903) will be considered for Certification testing. 

Device driver requirements for Certified systems are different than for NEXTSTEP Compatible System. All device drivers for NEXTSTEP Certified System must be NeXT-released drivers. No third-party or NEXTSTEP Compatible Component drivers are permitted in NEXTSTEP Certified Systems.

Certification Logistics and Process
Any vendor or integrator wishing to promote a NEXTSTEP Compatible System for Certification testing must contact NeXT's Intel Product Marketing department to arrange a contract. 

Once a contract has been negotiated, the vendor ships the necessary hardware to NeXT's SQA (Software Quality Assurance) department. The vendor must provide two complete identical system configurations for Certification testing. Both systems will remain at NeXT for the entire Certification period. The two identical systems must include main CPU units as well as all adapters, hard drives, display monitors, and peripherals. 

NeXT's SQA department performs the Certification testing. 

Once testing has been completed and the system configuration has met the acceptance criteria for Certification, the vendor receives an authorization letter stating the conditions of the Certification and the use of the NEXTSTEP Certified System logo.

A detailed NeXTanswer support document lists the specific NEXTSTEP Certified System tested along with any setup information required to configure the system for NEXTSTEP.

Certification Period
Certification is valid for one calendar year from the date that the Certification Report is available from NeXTanswers.

Cost of Certification Testing
The general fee for Certification testing is $5000 for each one year Certification period.

Support Responsibilities
NeXT will offer 30-days free installation support to anyone purchasing a Certified system.

Additional Notes
Although Certification is the highest level of approval for a system, it does not necessarily mean that the system is error free. A NEXTSTEP Certified System may contain detected or undetected problems.