(Holly Springs, NC- June 1, 2005)  Paragon Application Systems, the leading global provider of ATM and EFT simulation, configuration and testing tools, announced that it is offering a free training session when customers license the Visa DPS, Visa SMS, STAR or NYCE versions of its regression testing tool, FASTest.  The training will be held during regularly scheduled training classes at Paragon's Winter Park, Florida training facility.

Financial institutions are under increasing pressure to insure the reliability of their systems and to comply with government regulations, including Sarbanes-Oxley.  However, proving the validity of ATM and EFT Systems can be time-consuming, expensive and frustrating.  Paragon's FASTest is a PC based tool that dramatically reduces the testing effort for ATMs, EFT switches and Point of Sale (POS) transactions.

Proven in over 80 financial institutions with more than 230 licenses worldwide, FASTest helps users build state-of-the-art quality assurance programs with thorough, repeatable test scripts and reporting for all of their best and worst case testing scenarios.
FASTest is available to simulate over 60 message formats including ISO 8583, ATM and POS formats as well as IFX.

Paragon's complimentary FASTest training offer will teach customers to quickly and effectively implement verifiable, reliable testing.  Referring to Paragon's product training, Tana Olson, Senior Project Manager for Citigroup said "I learned a lot and it was conducted in a manner in which it was very easy to follow and grasp the material".

"While running test scripts with FASTest is very easy, the tool has powerful features for creating customized test cases.  In today's regulatory environment, testing 'blue sky, sunny day' scenarios is no longer sufficient.  Paragon's training teaches users to build their own 'what if' tests, replay production issues, and monitor their results," says Kathryn Cameron, Director of Sales for Paragon Application Systems. "Drawing from a base of experience with over 200 customers worldwide, Paragon has the product depth and breadth to fully meet customer's complete end-to-end testing needs."
 
For more information on this offer which is good until August 15, 2005, contact Kathryn Cameron at 919-567-9890 or visit   www.parappsys.com.

About Paragon Application Systems

Paragon Application Systems is the leading global provider of ATM and EFT simulation. configuration and testing software tools to the financial industry.  More than 200 financial institutions in over 25 countries use Paragon tools to improve quality and reduce time-to-market.  Paragon's broad customer base includes interchanges, such as NYCE, STAR, Transacty Slovakia, and SHAZAM; processors, such as Genpass Technologies, Metavante, TSYS and Fiserv; leading software providers such as ACI Worldwide, CSF International, Mosaic Software, S2 Systems, and XP Systems; and banks, such as BB&T Corporation, Bank of Hawaii, and Citibank. Since 1998, Paragon has been a member of the Diebold Partner Information Xchange and an NCR Strategic Business Partner, and counts both Diebold and NCR among its customers. Paragon has been a member of the Interactive Financial eXchange (IFX) Forum since 2002 and the MasterCard Vendor Program (MVP) since 2003. Visit Paragon Application Systems at www.parappsys.com.