AST FAQ
Q: What kinds of Projects do you specialize in?
A: AST specializes in short-term LabVIEW programming projects ranging from a few hours up to 1 month.
Q: What geographic area do you serve?
A: AST services West Michigan ( Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo), Mid Michigan (Lansing, Jackson, Flint), and South East Michigan ( Detroit, Ann Arbor). If you are outside this area please contact AST.
Q: I need help picking out hardware for my test and measurement system. Can AST help me?
A: Yes!! AST assists companies in choosing the necessary hardware for their application. AST can make a hardware recommendation and the customer can purchase it through the appropriate vendor.
Q: What organizations is AST affiliated with?
A: AST a member of the National Instruments Alliance Program. The National Instruments Alliance Program is a worldwide network of more than 600 consultants, system integrators, developers, channel partners, and industry experts who partner with NI to provide complete, high-quality virtual instrumentation solutions to customers.
AST is also part of the Industrial Technology Consortium. This group, founded by Jackson, Michigan area technical and engineering firms, has one primary purpose: to help improve the business performance of the future-minded manufacturers it serves. ITC members combine their specialized skills and experience in a variety of disciplines to offer smart technological solutions delivering practical, bottom-line results
Q: What kind of computer do I need to run a LabVIEW application?
A: Machine running Windows XP, 2000, or NT, 128 MB RAM, Pentium III/Celeron 600 MHz or equivalent, available PCI slots or USB ports depending on hardware.
Q: I have a LabVIEW program I would like to make changes to that was written by someone else. Can AST help me?
A: Yes, AST makes modifications to existing code. However AST only does this service on an hourly basis and cannot provide a fixed price quote.
Q: Does AST offer LabVIEW Training?
A: Yes! AST offers custom personalized training on LabVIEW. Please contact AST to discuss your training needs. If you require some general training with LabVIEW please contact National Instruments. If you are just starting out with LabVIEW, AST recommends LabVIEW Basics I and II offered by National Instruments.
Q: I want to hire AST to develop a custom LabVIEW application. How do I get started?
A: Contact AST at 517-316-2138 or info@autosofttech.net to schedule a meeting. AST will come to your site to discuss your application and develop a quote at no cost or obligation. After accepting the quote you will make payment arrangements with AST, and AST will begin working on your project. Any requested modifications to the software outside the scope of the original quote as determined by AST will be billed accordingly.
Q: How does AST develop an application?
A: AST develops the software off-site at its Lansing facility based on the quote that was generated. AST then finishes the project on-site for software debug and customer approval. Minor modifications to the software can be made from the Lansing facility and the customer can download the executable from AST’s website.
Q: Do I need to buy a copy of LabVIEW?
A: No. AST provides an executable that can run on any machine in the customer’s facility. All necessary drivers and software to run the executable are provided free of charge.
Q: Does AST provide LabVIEW source code of the projects it does?
A: Yes, AST provides source code free of charge after full payment for the project has been received. Please contact AST to receive copy of source code. Keep in mind any change to the source code without authorization by AST voids the warrantee.
Q: What type of warrantee does AST offer on the software it develops?
A: AST warrantees the custom software it develops for 1 year. Keep in mind any change to the source code without authorization by AST voids the warrantee
Q: Can I buy the test and measurement hardware from AST?
A: Yes, but hardware purchases must be paid in full at time of order. Hardware purchases are also subject to a nominal markup.
Q: Does AST except credit cards?
A: Yes!! Please contact AST if you are interested in paying with a credit card.
Q: What kind of certifications does the staff of AST have?
A: AST has a Licensed Professional Engineer and a Certified LabVIEW Developer on staff. AST is also part of the National Instruments Alliance Program.
Q: What is a Licensed Professional Engineer?
A: A Professional Engineer is an engineer who holds a license administered by the state to practice engineering. A Professional Engineer must have graduated from an accredited engineering program, pass a 8 hour fundamentals of engineering exam and a 8 hour Principles and Practices of Engineering exam, and provide verification of at least 4 years of acceptable engineering work experience obtained after having received an acceptable bachelors degree.
Please see the following link for more information
What is a Licensed Professional Engineer?
Q: What is a Certified LabVIEW Developer?
A: The National Instruments Certification program provides professional recognition for individuals displaying a high degree of knowledge and skill with National Instruments products. The goal of the Certified LabVIEW Developer (CLD) program is to ensure that candidates are equipped to provide comprehensive solutions for business and industry. To obtain certification, the candidate must successfully complete an examination on LabVIEW programming. The examination is a comprehensive evaluation of the candidate’s understanding of programming concepts, programming style, advanced programming topics, and applied use of their knowledge to implement LabVIEW programs to solve specific problems.
Please see the following link for more information http://volt.ni.com/niwc/custed/cecp.jsp?node=10638
