GroundControl vs HighQA: Modern First Article & Inspection Software Compared

HighQA is on-premises, which means you need to manage installation, server infrastructure, backups, IT staff, and every upgrade or patch. That tends to slow down innovation and burden your internal resources.

‍GroundControl is 100% cloud-based: zero setup on servers, instant access, and we push weekly updates so you gain features, enhancements, bug-fixes continuously. Most customers are productive in <1 hour; many onboard operators in ~30 minutes.

Good optical character recognition isn’t just about reading text—it’s about reading it correctly, especially when distinguishing things that look similar. HighQA often mixes up “1” vs “i”, “5” vs “s”, etc.

These errors can lead to misinterpretations, delays, rejections, or worse downstream quality issues. GroundControl has built its OCR + logic-layer to handle those tricky distinctions.

Our parsing accuracy is high, with logic to sanity-check what’s parsed against context to reduce those common misreads. Read more here: https://www.gndctl.com/resources/a-guide-to-ocr-on-pdf-drawings

1) How does GroundControl compare to HighQA for AS9102 FAIRs? GroundControl is built specifically around the AS9102 workflow end-to-end: auto-ballooning, characteristic extraction, measurement capture, and one-click Forms 1–3. HighQA can support FAIR creation, but typically relies more on manual setup and file-based processes. If your goal is faster FAIR prep with fewer transcription errors, GroundControl is the more automated path.HighQA is on-premises, which means you need to manage installation, server infrastructure, backups, IT staff, and every upgrade or patch. That tends to slow down innovation and burden your internal resources.

2) Which tool is better for auto-ballooning PDFs and extracting GD&T? GroundControl focuses on accuracy and speed in parsing real-world aerospace drawings — including notes, tolerances, and GD&T — so characteristics flow straight into Form 3 without re-typing. HighQA supports ballooning workflows, but many teams still do heavier manual cleanup, especially on complex drawings. If PDF parsing quality is a bottleneck for you, GroundControl tends to reduce that friction most.
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3) Can both platforms import CMM results into Form 3? Yes, but GroundControl is designed to make it simple. You can import CMM outputs (from common CMM software) or CSV/Excel and map results directly to characteristics in Form 3. HighQA can ingest results as well, but often requires more manual alignment depending on your setup. If your shop just added a CMM, GroundControl is usually faster to configure and get value from.
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4) What’s the difference in cloud vs on-prem between GroundControl and HighQA? GroundControl is cloud-native, so collaboration, revision control, and audit trails are centralized by default. HighQA is commonly deployed in more local or on-prem-style workflows, which can work, but collaboration tends to be file-driven and slower to scale. If distributed teams or supplier collaboration matter, cloud gives you a big advantage — as long as ITAR/CUI needs are handled correctly.
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5) Is GroundControl appropriate for ITAR or CUI data? Yes. GroundControl supports processing ITAR/CUI data in a Government Cloud hosted deployment with access controls designed for regulated programs. If compliance is a deciding factor, compare not only hosting location but also support boundaries, auditability, and who can access the data.
6) How do exports work — especially for Net-Inspect or customer templates? GroundControl generates compliant AS9102 packages and can export in formats that work with portals like Net-Inspect or your customer’s preferred layout. The key difference is that GroundControl prioritizes getting the FAIR correct internally first, then making submission easy. If portals are central to your flow, check required formats and whether you want direct integrations or reliable exports.
7) If we already have a manual AS9102 process that works, why switch? Because software doesn’t replace expertise — it multiplies it. GroundControl removes the repetitive parts (ballooning, transcription, formatting, tracking evidence) so your best inspectors spend time on judgment, not paperwork. Teams that switch usually see faster turnaround, cleaner traceability, and easier onboarding for newer engineers.
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8) What kind of teams choose GroundControl over HighQA? GroundControl is a strong fit for machine shops and aerospace/defense suppliers who want to reduce manual FAIR prep, improve drawing-to-Form-3 accuracy, and collaborate in a single cloud system. If you’re scaling volume, adding CMM capacity, or tired of chasing PDFs through email, GroundControl tends to be the better long-term workflow.