A consistent message has emerged from building automation system (BAS) integrators nationwide throughout 2024 and 2025: there is a significant strain on skilled field technicians. As the industry continues to face labor shortages, companies are recognizing the need to reassess internal processes to keep their technicians centered on core duties like system installation and service.
The Underlying Cost of Graphics and Floor Plans
QA Graphics frequently hears from system integrators whose field technicians are tasked with managing graphic creation, system floor plans, and UI configuration in addition to their installation duties. Though this approach may appear efficient initially, the actual consequences are often expensive:
- Slower deployments
- More errors due to multitasking
- Burnout from non-core responsibilities
- Missed revenue from delayed installs
The Transition: Collaborating with a Graphics-Only Specialist
A noticeable trend has seen more companies choosing to outsource their graphics packages—encompassing BAS UI design, 2D/3D floor plans, and Tridium or MUI graphics—directly to the in-house team of experts at QA Graphics.
The reasons for this shift include:
- Speed: They possess standardized templates for major systems like Trane, JCI, Schneider, and Niagara N4, which helps to decrease turnaround times.
- Quality: Every project is handled internally by trained designers, with no reliance on subcontractors.
- Clarity: Their vector symbol libraries and layered 3D HVAC visuals assist end users in rapidly understanding system data.
- Consistency: QA Graphics assists in establishing design standards that streamline maintenance for large campuses or extensive portfolios.
Enabling Field Teams to Regain Focus
By delegating the graphics workload to QA Graphics, their partners have reported quantifiable improvements:
- More time for field techs to focus on installs and service
- Fewer project delays
- Standardized, repeatable visuals across multiple jobs
- Faster closeout packages for commissioning
Staying in Their Lane—So You Can Excel in Yours
As an agnostic design firm, QA Graphics focuses solely on design support rather than selling hardware or controls. This ensures they are never in competition with their clients’ core business. Their objective is to help systems look better, be installed more quickly, and operate more intuitively.
If a BAS team is currently dedicating extensive hours to building floor plans or adjusting UI screens, it may be time to consider a new approach. Reclaiming that time allows a company’s experts to be placed where they can provide the most value.
