Blog Archive

Data, Graphics, and Interfaces Driving Change in 2014

December 1, 2013

Published: December 2014

This article is also published in the December issue of Automated Buildings.

As the year draws to an end, I wanted to take the opportunity to recap on the trends QA Graphics saw in 2013 and share what’s coming up in 2014. QA Graphics has been involved in the building automation industry for 10 years, driving the change for more realistic graphics and interactive solutions. The industry has taken a big leap this year, embracing high-end graphic solutions, and it will only continue in 2014. As the year draws to an end, I wanted to take the opportunity to recap on the trends QA Graphics saw in 2013 and share what’s coming up in 2014. QA Graphics has been involved in the building automation industry for 10 years, driving the change for more realistic graphics and interactive solutions. The industry has taken a big leap this year, embracing high-end graphic solutions, and it will only continue in 2014.

We participated in a panel at The Haystack Connect back this spring, to discuss the latest techniques and technologies for bringing information to operators, owners, and occupants in an always-connected world. Throughout the year, we’ve had a number of conversations with industry manufacturers, system integrators, clients and others, and everyone asks the same question– How can graphics make my job easier?

3D Graphics
Manufacturers are using realistic graphics to better showcase equipment and demonstrate processes. System integrators and end users continue to request 3D BAS graphics and floor plans.
These graphics are not limited to any specific BAS. Some of the largest data centers in the world, federal buildings, hospitals, and universities are requiring realistic graphics, to have an exact replica of their building or the equipment that they are working with.

QA Graphics Provides System Graphic Development Internationally

November 13, 2013

Contact:
Sarah Erdman, Marketing Director
515.965.3403
serdman (at) www.qagraphics.com

November 13, 2013

QA Graphics, leading provider of design services for the building automation industry, is pleased to share they have completed an international project, providing system graphic development for MCP, a system integration company based in El Campanario, Mexicali BC.

MCP is working to implement control graphics for a university project. MCP developed the majority of their own system graphics using the symbol library provided with Tridium’s 3.7 framework, but looked to QA Graphics when their client requested higher-end 3D images for certain mechanical equipment. They looked to QA Graphics because of their experience with Tridium, having developed the graphic library for Tridium’s NiagaraAX Framework® 3.7, as well as their ability to provide custom graphic solutions.

QA Graphics was able to communicate and implement this international project, providing floor plan graphics and custom 3D images that more realistically represent the plant, chilled water system, condenser water system and chillers in place at the university. The 3D images are meant to further enhance the experience of the end-users at the university.

QA Graphics Develops Educational App for Skewed News Tutor

October 28, 2013

October 28, 2013

QA Graphics has developed an educational mobile app for Skewed News Tutor. The app has been published in the App Store, available for purchase for use in the classroom to help middle and high school students become more discerning news consumers.

Skewed News Tutor is the creation of Colleen Bradford Krantz, journalist, author and documentary filmmaker. After a decade of reporting, Krantz grew frustrated with the sometimes-subtle opinions buried within news reports. This led her to begin Skewed News Tutor in 2012, a trusted provider of educational resources aimed to help students and others improve their ability to filter information and identify solid reporting. The News Tutor mobile app, developed by QA Graphics, was created for use in the classroom to help students gain a better understanding of the process behind journalism and news reporting.

“I’ve always loved journalism. This is not an attack on journalists but is designed to set expectations for high-quality journalism,” said Colleen Bradford Krantz, founder of Skewed News Tutor. “I looked to QA Graphics because I felt a level of professionalism right away, and was pleased that they were able to develop the app as I had envisioned.”

The app, titled News Tutor, was designed to put users in the shoes of a journalist and help them learn what makes a good and accurate report. Krantz outlined the educational lesson, and then looked to QA Graphics to design and develop the app. The app sets the scene where the user begins as an intern and is guided through a series of situations in which they must determine the most fair and accurate way to report on news. They are provided a series of videos, quiz questions, and a game in which they are to determine the accurate way to report on a situation. As they progress through the quiz, users are promoted to beginning reporter, senior reporter, and then overseeing other reporters.

QA Graphics Provides 3D Floor Plan Graphics for WattStopper

September 22, 2013

Contact:
Sarah Erdman, Marketing Director
515.965.3403
serdman (at) www.qagraphics.com

QA Graphics, leading provider of design services for the building automation industry, has provided 3D floor plan graphics for WattStopper, a Legrand group brand and leading manufacturer of energy efficient lighting controls for commercial and residential use.

WattStopper looked to QA Graphics to develop 3D floor plan graphics for a web based lighting controls server that allows them to track lighting power usage and occupancy down to the room level. The WattStopper DLM system allows individual room control with out-of-the box code compliance and power monitoring of lighting and plug loads.

“The benefits of the enhanced floor plan graphics are very evident from a presentation standpoint,” said Craig Payne, project manager, WattStopper. “There really is no comparison to the low resolution, 2D graphics that are generally used for such projects. You can try to improve on every other aspect of a dashboard or graphic page, but if you don’t use the enhanced graphic, it still ends up looking outdated and doesn’t usually impress the client.”

QA Graphics initially worked with WattStopper to develop a single floor plan graphic as part of a demonstration that was being presented to their client. Once that was approved, they went ahead and completed all of the remaining floor plans.

View more 3D floor plan examples here.

ACHR News

September 18, 2013

ACHR News published an announcement in their FYI Industry Briefs section about our newest HVAC graphics specialists. View the announcement.