The Western European market for automatic test equipment (ATE) purchases is currently estimated to be of the order of $200 000 000 American dollars per annum. The case for installation of ATE stations in the production line and in maintenance workshops is usually primarily based on the requirement for a high rate of test capability (to match the product volume flow) or to Bpeed up the test because the time for manual test methods is too high relative to the product MTBF, or because of a shortage of test personnel of the requisite skill level. There are other benefits, and certain disadvantages, as listed in this paper.