Hub tenant takes the development of quality solutions to new heights

The QED team on a staircase of the Enterprise Building at The Innovation Hub. Seen here are (ltr) Andries Janse van Rensburg, Quality Assurance Manager, Andre Dicks, Software Engineer, Klaus Geerthsen, Project manager, Lebohang Magagane, Receptionist, Eddie Victor, Director, Sam Matemane, Software Engineer, Wessel du Plooy, Software Engineer, Duard Van der Westhuizen, Software Engineer and Charl Harding, Systems Engineer. Systems Engineer Peter Hobkirk was not present when the photograph was taken.

Quality Engineering Development (QED), a new addition to the tenant community at The Innovation Hub, specialises in the development of custom-made safety- and mission-critical software. Established by a group of engineers, pilots and technicians in 1998, the company has been involved in cardinal defense projects, such as the CHEETAH Fighter Aircraft, the ORYX helicopter and the Pilatus ASTRA Trainer Aircraft.

According to Managing Director, Eddie Victor, while QED mainly services the aviation industry at present, it is also certified to develop software for the aerospace industry up to Level C of the DO 178B standard and has the competence to provide solutions and systems for any safety related environment.

Product offerings include Mission Planners, which encompass flight and tactical planners for military aircraft, and Health and Usage Monitoring Systems (HUMS). Business highlights have included the development of the Mission Planning and Debriefing Module (MPDM) for Denel Aviation's ROOIVALK Combat Support Helicopter, and the current work with Armscor to develop an aircrew training system for training pilots for various types of aircraft.

Victor attributes QED's success to the dedication of a competent, skilled and experienced team and the ability to stay focused and specialised without becoming self-limiting. In this context, all QED-developed software can interface with any type of business system, including the proprietary maintenance system of the SA Air Force, where integration has already been completed successfully.

Also a provider of engineering services in systems and project management, as well as product development such as test measures and industrial automation systems, QED now wants to expand into commercial industries. "With the side scaling down of military acquisitions, we would like to get more involved in solutions for the medical, aerospace, transport and mining industries", says Victor.

According to Victor, QED's future plans will benefit from the company's move to The Innovation Hub. "We are surrounded by technology and companies that think innovatively. Everyone in the company feels that they now have the ideal platform to grow and apply their skills", he says.

As a 43% black-owned company - through its associations with Lerumo (Pty) Ltd and Infotech - QED will be contributing to enthusing young people about science, engineering and technology. As such, they plan to collaborate with NASA in developing a hands-on education system for school children geared towards South Africa's participation in the 2011 mission to Mars.

For more information on QED, contact Eddie Victor on +27 12 844 0921.

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