Press Releases

DiSTI, the leading global simulation and training software provider, announced today that it had completed its ISO 9001:2015 surveillance audit with zero non-conformances at its facility in Orlando, Florida.

The extensive review process took place in late June. The audit included thoroughly vetting and examining DiSTI’s dedication to exceeding customer requirements, on-time delivery, innovation, continuous improvement, and effectiveness in monitoring customer satisfaction.

“I am proud to continue our commitment to excellence. Achieving consecutive audits without any issues demonstrates how seriously we take our work,” said John Hayward, DiSTI’s CEO. “Our clients can all attest to the quality systems we have in place as well as to the diligence of our team. As a result, our customers know they are receiving the best products in the market.”

ISO 9001:2015 is a globally recognized quality management standard developed and published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The certification provides a model for companies of all types and sizes to build an effective quality management system.
Perry Johnson Registrars, Inc., an accredited certification body, conducted the DiSTI surveillance audit. The audit validated improvements to the DiSTI quality program in keeping with the ISO 9001:2015 standard’s ‘process-oriented approach with an additional focus on risk-based thinking, expanding to a broader organizational context, addressing the needs and expectations of interested parties, and collection and sharing of organizational knowledge. Perry Johnson Registrars issued DiSTI an updated ISO 9001:2015 certificate for DiSTI’s new facility.

To learn more about the solutions provided by DiSTI, please reach out to sales@disti.com

The DiSTI Corporation, the Orlando-based virtual training development solutions provider, announced the availability of VE Studio 2023.2, the company’s industry-leading solution for procedural-based virtual training development.

VE Studio 2023.2 offers significant improvements to VR interactions and behaviors and architectural updates on tethered and mobile headsets for multiple manufacturers. These enhancements give users an increased sense of immersion, making learning and retaining information easier.

“We are excited to offer our customers this latest version of VE Studio,” said Doug Classe, Director of Engineering at DiSTI. “The technical creativity of our team is astounding. We have worked hard to ensure that this release includes the latest advances in VR technology so that our customers can continue to create the most realistic and effective training experiences possible across desktop and VR deployments.”

This latest update reflects DiSTI’s increased investment into its VE Studio software product, improving virtual reality features, adding support for IL2CPP builds, updating the Requirements Analyzer tool, fixing previous bugs, and adding support for newer versions of 3D Studio Max.

In VE Studio 2023.2, developers will now benefit from the following:

• IL2CPP build support: You can now build your VE Studio Unity projects to IL2CPP. This feature allows developers to leverage specific SDKs and libraries that require IL2CPP within Unity. One example is the Tobi eye-tracking libraries.
• VR Support Equipment: Added support for hand tools, electronic devices, complex test equipment, and other types of virtual support equipment. Development of virtual support equipment is consistent between both VR and desktop deployments.
• VR Consumables: Added support for VR consumables, such as tape, cotter pins, rags, etc.
• VR 2D probes: Added support for VR 2D probes, allowing developers to take probe-based measurements in VR, such as using a multimeter.
• VR 2D to 3D probes: Added support for VR 2D to 3D probes, allowing developers to create interactions that use 2D probes on 3D objects, such as bonding checks.
• C# Requirements Analyzer (replaces SPANNER): The updated Requirements Analyzer tool includes an improved user interface, updated architecture, and faster performance.
• Support for 3dsMax 2021 & 2022: Added support for the latest versions of 3D Studio Max, including 2021 and 2022. This enhancement improves modeling tools that increase quality and development speed for 3D modelers.

Existing VE Studio customers who want to inquire about updating their current version of VE Studio should contact support@disti.com. For individuals seeking to learn more about VE Studio and the solutions provided by DiSTI, please reach out to sales@disti.com

The DiSTI Corporation, a global leader in virtual training solutions, is expanding its efforts to support Volvo Cars by creating custom training programs tailored to the specific needs of the Swedish automotive manufacturer. Volvo Cars recently contracted with DiSTI to develop new maintenance training applications for two new fully electric car models to be launched later this year.

The manufacturer uses DiSTI Schoolhouse as their virtual maintenance training platform to train its technicians and engineers. Using DiSTI Schoolhouse, a managed virtual training solution, with a highly immersive 3D environment allows users to learn about the company’s vehicles in a hands-on way. In 2022, the company used the Schoolhouse to train nearly 4,000 technicians and engineers.

“Virtual maintenance training is not only a cost-effective solution but one that improves technician training through repetition and familiarity with the vehicle,” noted DiSTI CEO John Hayward. “Virtual training helps to improve employee productivity by allowing employees to practice tasks multiple times before performing them in the real world. This approach helps to enhance the training outcomes and improve the quality of work.”

DiSTI Schoolhouse is also being enhanced to allow the manufacturer’s trainers to modify lessons on a per-market basis. This approach gives greater flexibility to fine-tune the lessons to provide an optimal training experience for its technicians and engineers around the world.

DiSTI’s VE Studio, a virtual training development platform, is used to build these immersive virtual training programs designed to educate and assess technicians on:

• Vehicle troubleshooting
• EVT (Electric Vehicle Technician) and A-EVT (Advanced-Electric Vehicle Technician) Disassemble & Assembly the high voltage battery
• De-energizing and Energizing the high-voltage battery
• Battery inspection
• IVI (In-Vehicle Infotainment) Connectivity setup & troubleshooting

Without the need for a physical model, virtual training provides opportunities to learn new skills and improve the maintenance and diagnostic process.

To learn more about the world-class training solutions provided by The DiSTI Corporation, contact us at sales@disti.com

The United States Air Force has awarded the Azure Training Systems JV, LLC (Azure JV) a prime contract position on the Training Systems Acquisition IV (TSA IV) indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract. The TSA IV IDIQ provides for the analysis, design, development, production, installation, integration, test, and sustainment of Air Force training systems to support warfighter training at operating locations worldwide.

“We are excited to be awarded a position on the TSA IV contract and to bring the capabilities of the Azure JV to bear in support of USAF training objectives,” said Kurt Flosky, President of FAAC Incorporated, the Azure JV Managing Partner. “The Azure JV was formed through the synergistic partnership of three uniquely qualified companies: DiSTI, FAAC, and PULAU. Our collective capabilities, harnessed under the Azure JV, provide the USAF a qualified partner with a proven track record of meeting or exceeding customer expectations.”

Through TSA-IV, the US Air Force provides support for the pilot, aircrew, maintenance, and operational training systems for fixed and rotary wing platforms. It will support USAF active duty, reserve, and Air National Guard and Department of Defense (DoD) joint warfighters and Foreign Military Sales (FMS).

“DiSTI has been at the forefront of pioneering technology for the Air Force for nearly 30 years. Our commitment to providing the warfighter with innovative training solutions is unwavering,” stated DiSTI CEO John Hayward. “Our expertise provides a competitive advantage to the airpower capabilities of our nation and to every individual warfighter that trains on our systems.”

Azure JV is one of 37 entities awarded a position on TSA IV. TSA IV IDIQ is a Multiple Award contract with a potential ceiling value of up to approximately $32.5 billion over ten years. Modernization and sustainment of all U.S. Air Force pilot and aircrew training systems will be executed through this newly issued contract. The predominance of the work issued under TSA IV will be sustainment to include CLS, TSSC, and concurrency modifications (generally software upgrades) of existing training systems. TSA IV’s scope also includes courseware development and instruction and the development of new training systems.

“PULAU Corporation is proud to be a member of the Azure team and excited to once again provide technical expertise and support to the men and women of the U.S. Air Force,” commented PULAU President Mike Armstrong. “We’re especially proud of our ability to quickly adapt and respond to our customer’s volatile mission requirements across platforms and around the world.”

To learn more about the world-class training solutions provided by The DiSTI Corporation, contact us at sales@disti.com

The DiSTI Corporation, the world’s leading graphical user interface software provider, is pleased to announce that Hill Helicopters, a British company, has adopted GL Studio, as the company’s HMI Software development tool, in the production of their avionics suite for luxury private helicopter models HX50 and HC50.

“GL Studio is the perfect tool for delivering the high-performance graphics and user experience that our customers demand,” stated John Hayward, CEO of DiSTI. “We are proud to have our software be part of Hill Helicopter’s journey as they continue to push the boundaries of innovation in the aviation industry.”

GL Studio provides an advanced toolset that has equipped Hill Helicopters to build an elegant user experience for the Visual Flight Rules (VFR) helicopter. The software is being leveraged to develop a certifiable software stack which is tested using piloted trials on an engineering simulator. The solution has enabled Hill Helicopters to link third-party systems such as the radio, intercom, GPS, and transponder with the User Interface application.

“Unlike any other aircraft user interface, which brings with it the complexities of instrument flying, the HX50 and HC50 pilot cockpit experience is directly tailored for visual flight conditions. The digital cockpit is designed for intuitive simplicity of use, merging the clarity of automotive displays with an adaptation of the traditional primary flight display will maximize the pilot “eyes out” of the window time and will require minimal training to use,” explained Jason Hill, Founder, and CEO at Hill Helicopters. “GL Studio continues to enable us to quickly prototype and simulate the user experience and adjust the design using in-simulation flight scenarios all in-house. We are looking forward to taking the prototype software forward into flight test and certification using the “SC” version of GL Studio in the very near future.”

The identical cockpits of the HX50 and HC50 include three touchscreen displays: two larger panels for primary flight and engine instrumentation and a smaller display called the Integrated Pilot Interface (IPI) in the center console. The IPI and attached rotary puck gives the pilot quick access and tactile control over settings such as radio frequencies, barometric pressure setting, transponder, autopilot, infotainment, and climate control. The ground-up design and development of the system in GL Studio has enabled the Hill Helicopters team to build an avionics suite with unprecedented ease of use and situational awareness for the pilot. By introducing a user experience similar to what many have become accustomed to in mobile devices and automobiles, the Hill engineering team aims to make flying easier and safer.

Additionally, the ability to iterate designs quickly in GL Studio has made it possible for Hill Helicopter’s engineers to take ideas from concept to reality on a running test-bench in as little as a few hours.

To learn more about DiSTI’s GL Studio HMI software development tool and avionics solutions provided by The DiSTI Corporation, contact us at sales@disti.com

The DiSTI Corporation, virtual training development solutions provider, announced the availability of VE Studio 2023.1, the company’s industry-leading solution for virtual maintenance training development. VE Studio 2023.1 features extended Virtual Reality (VR) capabilities, improved VR runtime performance, and updated developer tools.

The focus of this release has been on improving virtual reality development capabilities. With this latest update, developers can now author once and deploy to multiple runtime targets, meaning that lessons created for a desktop trainer can also run in VR without any changes. VE Studio makes it easier to create engaging learning experiences for students of all levels and maximize the potential of your virtual training project.

Overall, this release enhances the developer and trainee experience for all VE Studio-supported build targets, including:

• Windows Desktop
• Tethered VR
• Mobile VR

“VE Studio helps developers build robust applications in record time, enabling technologists to accelerate the delivery of innovative projects to power the future of training,” stated DiSTI President Joe Swinski. “The team behind VE Studio listens to the needs of our customers and is committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible to meet those emerging requirements.”

VE Studio 2023.1 now offers:

• VR Hand Tools
• VR Freeze Conditions
• VR Magnifying Glass
• C# Test Driver
• VR Dominant Hand Selection
• Developer Fixes from internal projects
• VR Lesson Step List
• Unity 2022.1 support
• VR Button Bar
• Meta Quest 2, Meta Pro, and similar headsets support
• VR Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricant
• Bug Fixes

The DiSTI VE Studio engineering team has brought VE Studio 2023.1 to market shortly after its most recent update. The endeavor continues DiSTI’s commitment to providing the most developer-friendly virtual training development platform.

Existing VE Studio customers who would like to inquire about updating their current version of VE Studio should contact support@disti.com. For individuals seeking to learn more about VE Studio and the solutions provided by DiSTI, please reach out to sales@disti.com