Software Technologies Laboratory

1900 Kraft Drive, Suite 105

Detailed Information

Who we are:

• Research, outreach and service arm of the Virginia Tech Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE)
• Provider of customized software, decision support and management information systems to government and corporate entities for over 20 years.
• Multiple teams of experienced researchers and software experts who provide unique applications for managers and workers in a variety of fields.

Examples of STLs diverse products and research capabilities: Visualization techniques to perform finite element analysis on material properties; web site design and development; inventory management and decision support tools with CD-ROM training courses; palm programming for field data entry and download; graphic layout and design.

Recent Sponsors/Partners:

• Department of Energy (DOE)
• National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
• National Wooden Pallet and Container Association (NWPCA)
• VT Management Tools Development Group
• VT Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP)
• VT Facilities Department

Research Applications:

• Nuclear Non-proliferation
• Management Information Systems
• Decision Support Systems
• Inventory & Material Management
• Financial Management
• Work Order Management
• CD-ROM and Web-Based Training Courses
• Software Quality Assurance
• 3-D Modeling
• Network Planning and Implementation
• Web Site Design and Development

Areas of Technical Expertise

• Software Design and Development
• Software Test Management
• Database Design and Maintenance
• Data Warehousing
• Simulation and Modeling
• Interactive and Web-based Training
• Graphic Design
• 2-D and 3-D Animation
• Broadcast Audio and Video
• Audio and Video Compression
• Publication and Editing
• Electronic Data Interchange

What we do:

Software Technologies Laboratory (STL) provides expert analysis and software engineering methodologies to develop customized systems for government, corporate and university sponsors.

Research:

For the NNSA Office of Defense Nuclear Non-proliferation and National Security:

• Online Information Systems to manage and monitor expenditures of projects in Former Soviet Union countries.
• Policy Database to organize project information and quickly provide consistent answers to congressional and public inquiries.
• Assist Russian software developers: Review/evaluate Russian design documents; recommend software & hardware platforms; develop prototype software.
• Design, layout and delivery of programmatic and information brochures and websites.
• CD-ROM based training courses for Russian Nuclear Safety Training programs.

For other DOE/NNSA agencies:

• Centralized database system providing ability to store, query and publish inventory assessment information and engineering test data through a web interface from a multimedia database of test plans, reports, actual and simulated results data, images and video clips. Provides the ability to analyze test and simulation data in three dimensions using CAVE technology
• Specialized simulation program and database to assist managers making billion dollar production decisions.
• Software tools, analyses, spreadsheets and databases to provide reports, briefings, and information packages related to large material inventories.

For Virginia Tech departments:

• Center and departmental level, financial transaction processing tool for 1) internal, real time tracking and reporting; 2) producing appropriate forms; and 3) What IF environment to see effects of salary funding changes.
• Online system to automate the sponsored contract and grant proposal preparation and submission process
• Work-order system to streamline the work of the Facilities Business Office and link to university financial systems.

Other research accomplishments:

• Three-dimensional model for pallet manufacturers and customers to graphically design and analyze pallets for use in various applications.
• Software to capture information in the field via portable devices, implement routines for data transfer from portable devices to PC, and store data with an interface to present it online via GIS.

Education: STL employs undergraduate, coop and graduate students from multiple disciplines to participate in sponsored research activities.

Link

http://www.stl.vt.edu

For Additional Information

Mark Howard

Director, Software Technologies Laboratory

1900 Kraft Drive, STE 105, Blacksburg, VA 24060
Phone: 540-231-3510
Fax: 540-231-3390
Email: mhoward@stl.vt.edu