[ COMPARISONS ]
GroundControl vs Discus
A practical comparison of cloud-based GroundControl versus the legacy Discus desktop approach.
Key takeaways
- Cloud-native workflow with no IT setup.
- GovCloud compliance and audit-ready controls.
- OCR plus logic-layer validation to reduce misreads.
Cloud vs on-prem
GroundControl is 100% cloud-based, so teams can onboard quickly with no IT setup and receive weekly updates. Discus is on-premises software, which typically requires installation, database maintenance, and ongoing IT support.
Security first
- ITAR registered.
- NIST SP 800-171 compliant.
- Hosted in AWS GovCloud with US-only data residency.
- Undergoing FedRAMP Moderate equivalency.
OCR accuracy and data quality
GroundControl pairs OCR with a logic layer that sanity-checks parsed text to prevent common misreads that lead to rejects.
Feature comparison
| Capability | GroundControl | Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| User licensing | Unlimited users per facility | Each user requires an additional license |
| Support | Unlimited in-app training and support | Annual support and maintenance fee |
| PDF parsing accuracy | 99% accuracy with logic-layer validation | Variable accuracy based on PDF quality |
| Auto-ballooning | No auto-ballooning (in development) | IDA auto-ballooning available (results vary) |
| Deployment | Cloud-based with no IT setup required | On-premises installation with IT overhead |
| CMM import | Import CMM reports without setup | Custom import setup required |
| Exports | Net-Inspect and custom exports included | Additional fees for exports |
FAQ
How does GroundControl compare to Discus for AS9102 FAIRs?
Both can support AS9102 reporting, but GroundControl is built as a cloud-native workflow for auto-ballooning, extraction, and Form 3 completion.
Which tool is better for GD&T extraction?
GroundControl focuses on accuracy and workflow alignment with Form 3, while Discus relies on IDA auto-ballooning results that vary by PDF quality.