Spectra QEST's tools can help concrete producers to collect quality control data, and quickly and easily produce reports to help them analyse this data (see Quality Control section). They are then able to make decisions about whether changes are required to their mixes, and use Spectra QEST's tools to quickly and easily implement those changes (see Mix Management section).

For concrete producers who go further and use automatic analysis of data to determine whether mixes are optimised or require adjustment, Spectra QEST is developing the new QESTDesign module. This uses sound mix design principles for proportioning of coarse and fine aggregates and determination of cement contents to design new, or analyse existing, mixes. The system can be trained to any particular concrete producer’s specific circumstances based on existing mix design, quality control and trial data. The system then determines which mixes are in accordance with the producer's individual mix design rules, and which may have room for improvement. As more data is available (built up by using QESTMix and QESTLab on a day-to-day basis) the methods will be refined to reflect the specific situation and requirements of the particular operation.

More details on the QESTDesign module can be found here.