Our computer system includes state-of-the-art computer-aided drafting (CAD) programs and scanner technology, which our dedicated, in-house Specialists use to prepare all construction documents and report illustrations.

KPA Associates, Inc. enjoys a national reputation of excellence for the quality and rigorousness of its forensics investigations and litigation consulting services. Contributing enormously to the KPAA Team's capabilities and work on behalf of Clients are our in-house Analysts and Graphics Specialists, whose expert and innovative application of state-of-the-art computerized technology and techniques set practice standards for clarity, thoroughness, comprehensibility, utility and efficiency.

The KPAA Team recognizes the imperative of providing Clients with illustrated reports, presentation graphics and construction documents that are as easily understood by the layperson as they are technically accurate and complete. To this end, we are constantly investing in cutting-edge hardware, software and training to assure each Client of work product of unsurpassed quality and utility. Because our full-service Computer Graphics Department is in-house, Client needs for modifications and duplications can be fulfilled immediately. And because of the immense database storage capacity of the KPAA computer network, we have instant access to an unsurpassed library of repair details and drawings, research and literature, that frequently saves our Clients valuable time as well as money.

A full-time manager of KPAA's Computer Graphics Department coordinates a team of dedicated graphics technicians. Equipped with the latest releases of AutoCAD, Claris CAD and Adobe Illustrator software, these talented, experienced specialists create repair details and draw renderings of as-built conditions in three-dimensional, full-color images that are remarkable for their accuracy and clarity. Our ability to produce a wide array of clear, accurate, easily-understood illustrative materials in three-dimensional format is of particular importance because they are used as references by attorneys, juries, insurance adjusters and other experts who may not have a background in reading architectural drawings.

KPAA's state-of-the-art Macintosh computer system, incorporating the most up-to-date hardware and software available, enables analysis and storage of data relative to even the largest and most complex projects. An Ethernet high-speed network links architectural project managers with KPAA's central database. The graphic workstations feature top of the line Power PC Macintosh computers with 21-inch NEC color monitors.

A sampling of the many ways KPAA's clients utilize our state-of-the-art systems includes:

Trial Exhibits:

KPAA uses digital scanners and high-resolution plotters to create large, clear, detailed trial exhibits of photographs and architectural drawings. A repair detail and an actual photograph are combined to form a clear picture of a specific location and the proposed modification -- all in one easy-to-read exhibit. Our in-house production of trial exhibits includes use of a Hewlett Packard DesignJet 755CM large-format inkjet printer, which can print exhibits as large as 3 feet by 10 feet. This printer supports a large variety of media types, including high gloss photo paper, and is capable of printing to high levels of definition in up to 16 million colors.

Presentations:

We create clear, precise and easily comprehended customized Presentations to facilitate meetings and mediations. Using a Power PC laptop computer and such software as Adobe Photoshop, Fetch and Persuasion, KPAA creates detailed and convincing Presentations which incorporate photographs, computer-generated graphics and/or scanned technical documents that are displayed instantly on a color screen.

Reports:

KPAA generates polished, professional reports of findings using Microsoft Word software. These reports typically incorporate matrices which summarize our specific findings, along with color photographs that illustrate the condition under discussion, as well as our own research findings and conclusions. Reports are printed on an Apple Color LaserWriter 12/600, a high-speed, 600-dots-per-inch printer which is Apple's top-of-the-line quality printer.

Data Analysis:

KPAA utilizes a custom-designed proprietary software program to record and analyze all specific data gathered during site inspections and testing. Analysis of raw data is easily accomplished using this powerful program, which we have found to be indispensable on larger projects involving numerous phases and thousands of units.

Internet Access:

KPAA's computer network is combined with individual Internet connections to give each member of the KPAA Team immediate, round-the-clock access to vital research and technical resources. All networked computers are provided with state-of-the-art firewall and virus protection software in order to provide complete security for all electronic data files.