Babak Bahojb-Allafan, SDL Atlas Technology Manager for Tinius Olsen testing systems, explains: "Our aim is to help people improve their testing capability across a diverse range of applications from regular woven fabrics to high performance materials in sports footwear such as those being developed to provide greater protection to for our world cup footballers feet or the security of snaps and poppers on children's wear. If a customer has set out a test method for button strength, our challenge is to interpret the requirement and program it into our software platform ensuring the method is quick and easy to use while assuring full compliance with the guiding standard whether that is an international standard for example ISO or ASTM or a retailer standard such as Marks & Spencer, NEXT. Thus the knowledge and expertise of our fully qualified materials testing technologists is key to developing an appropriate solution."

The Tinius Olsen software platform includes over 320 pre written accredited methods including those defined by all the major US and European retailers. Already this year the team at SDL Atlas and Tinius Olsen have added and updated methods for Adidas, NEXT, M&S, BS 3084 tests for zippers and a specific range of tests for leather.