A fab typically has 50-75 unique equipment models that must be integrated into the factory control system. Without the SEMI equipment automation standards, equipment integration would be nearly impossible. Even with today's standards, connecting a tool to the factory control system is a complex and expensive process.

There are several reasons for the high cost of equipment integration. First, today's SEMI equipment automation software (EAS) standards are large and complex in order to accommodate the multitude of equipment processes. Next, the standards allow for variations in fab operational scenarios; every fab runs differently, even within the same company. Finally, the standards change regularly to keep up with new automation demands (e.g., E139 recipe management). As a result, fabs and OEMs test their equipment against the latest standards in order to reduce equipment integration time and costs.

PEER Group is a certified ISMI Test Service Provider (ISMI TSP) and has experience testing over 300 equipment models for fabs and OEMs. With the acquisition of CCS Envoy™, we are now the clear industry leader in semiconductor test services and applications. As factory automation requirements continue to evolve and standards change, both fabs and OEMs are counting on PEER Group to provide the industry with the latest test capabilities.

Learn about PEER Group's industry-leading solutions for equipment automation standards testing:

• Take a closer look at our portfolio of test plans: CCS Test™ Plans.
• Find out what our experienced engineers—who have tested more than 300 equipment models—can offer: Test Services.