Spectra QEST regularly commits significant resources (both financial and human) to investigating new methods and techniques that will enable the company to stay at the forefront of technology.
As a result, during the past two decades a remarkable array of innovations has emerged from Spectra QEST. Among other things, the company:
- introduced the first non-spreadsheet based concrete testing software system in Australia (the CACTP in 1985);
- introduced the first multi-disciplinary construction materials LIMS in the world for the testing of cement, asphalt, concrete and soils/aggregates (the QCLab in the early nineties);
- introduced the world's first completely keyless system for the identification, weighing, measuring and crushing of concrete cylinders (in 2001);
- introduced the QESTMix system which is the most sophisticated centralised mix management, mix costing and mix reporting software system available in the world market; and
- introduced the QESTLab system which subsequently became the most feature-packed, most widely used, and most commercially successful LIMS in its class.
The company is currently concentrating on three types of research activities:
1. Continuous improvement and development in-house, centred around existing product lines. The idea is to try and come up with new ideas, or put intelligent concepts to use when the next version of the software is designed.
A typical result of this process is QESTLab v3.0, which contains a number of very innovative features, not available in other LIMS in its class. To find out more about the latest release of QESTLab, please visit the Products pages of the website.
2. Specific R&D projects that run from time to time, aiming to develop new tools and new processes that Spectra QEST customers should find interesting and useful. The company is currently engaged in the largest R&D project it has ever undertaken: a $1.5M concrete technology software development that is expected to revolutionise the way concrete quality control is monitored, controlled and used to produce a better product with lower material costs.
3. Research by final year Engineering students. Spectra QEST has an arrangement with The University of Adelaide (an internationally significant learning institution, the oldest University in South Australia and a member of the "Group of 8" leading Australian Universities) where the company works with final year students from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering in order to fund and supervise their final year Honours projects. Research topics are usually set up that are both pedagogically sound as well as relevant to the company's products and customers.
To date, some very interesting research outcomes have been achieved, while at the same time assisting some very bright and promising young Engineers achieve a smooth transition from academic life to Engineering practice.
