QuadSoft, a South African-based software and engineering development company, was established in 2001 by four engineers with experience in various engineering and business areas. All members of the Centurion-based company come from a military/industrial background, and as such, have proper knowledge of the different methodologies and procedures required to efficiently take a project from initiation to completion.

The company's four directors are: Johan Malan; Johnny van Aardt; Johann Weiermans; and Flip de Swardt.

Some projects done by QuadSoft include: a train communication system for Spoornet; virtual voucher systems for various clients; electronic test bench software and O/I maintenance level terminal software for Logtronics; the Hotloads program for Tshwane Municipality.

QuadSoft's core business activities include:

* Remote data communication solutions utilising various communication technologies, including GPRS/GSM, satellite and land-based networks.

* JSP website design interfaced to any SQL database.

* MIDP applications for Java-enabled cellphones using GPRS etc.

* Database design and development.

* Front-end design and development.

* Full spectrum of software development - from embedded through to client/server application.

* System analyses.

Projects

The company's train communication system is believed to be a first in the world, where a single GSM module is used to do voice/SMS/data communications in a train over a standard GSM backbone. Similar systems abroad use three GSM modules over a GSM-R network, which is a dedicated network for train control. The primary function of the system is to provide voice communication between the driver and the controlling officer. The system's design provides for some interesting spin-offs, for example: asset-tracking, fault reporting, GIS functionality, speed alarms, line profiles, location-based reporting/alarms, over-the-air updating of the program and data, data file uploads at predetermined positions, transporting information from other devices connected to the system, to the collection points etc. This system sends/receives over 500 000 SMSs per month, says the company.

Virtual voucher systems are used to distribute cellular prepaid vouchers and starter packs from a central server to merchants over the Internet or a GPRS connection. The merchants then sell these vouchers using various methods, eg, POS terminals, printing on till slips, printing in bulk on pre-printed voucher paper, etc. All rebates in the distribution network are calculated and stored in the database, and comprehensive reporting of all transactions - sales, profitability, etc - is available on the system. These systems can handle millions of virtual vouchers every month.

The electronic test bench is a test station developed by Logtronics. Used to test LRUs on electronic warfare suites it consists of a test matrix, which connects typical instrumentation to a PC, for example, multimeters, signal generators and frequency counters. The system runs on a database, where the user can set up test procedures to test the LRU. All results are stored for future use, and can be presented to the user by means of graphs, reports, etc.

Hotloads is a program that receives input from SCADA systems that measure load conditions at substation level in the city council area. The data is logged in a proprietary database, which compresses the data to manageable size. The user can then extract load profiles from the system, providing valuable information on load conditions in different areas. This helps to predict future trends in electricity usage and helps predict potential problem areas that may need infrastructure upgrades.