National Instruments today also recognized 16 out of the more than 500 companies in the Alliance Partner program as Select Alliance Partners for 2006. Select Alliance Partners use their application expertise and in-depth knowledge of NI products to build customer-defined solutions in a wide range of industries and applications including aerospace/defense, automotive and manufacturing test. NI reserves the Select Alliance Partner category for distinguished members of the Alliance Partner program who have established a high level of business, commitment to an ongoing relationship with NI and professional business practices.