Braumeister by Speidel

The Modernization of the Braumeister UI

Speidel, a leading global provider of top-quality industrial stainless steel tank and container products, ventured into the craft beer brewing industry with their product, Braumeister. The Braumeister beer kits were designed to provide a reliable and quality brewing experience for both individuals and microbreweries - a new market for Speidel, at the outset. The company recognized the need to modernize their product and make it more user-friendly, especially for brewing novices.

The existing Braumeister model had a four-button control system. Speidel wanted to replace it with a touch-screen interface. They also wanted to introduce Wi-Fi capabilities for downloading recipes, software updates, and tracking the brewing process from mobile devices. To achieve this, Speidel looked for a software development company to partner with, and found KDAB to be a perfect fit.

Customization, configuration and implementation

The initial project consisted of three steps. Firstly, KDAB tailored the operating system to the customer's cost-effective hardware to ensure optimal performance. Secondly, we configured the startup behavior and interplay of all components so they operate smoothly. Finally, using Qt and QML, we implemented Speidel's interaction and design ideas. To replace the four-button control system, KDAB introduced a modern touch-screen interface with a range of interactive features, including effortless Wi-Fi setup via a virtual keyboard. The result offers Braumeister customers an optimal brewing experience.

In addition to the software upgrade for the Braumeister, KDAB also helped Speidel to establish essential capabilities in their team. This included a process for properly managing and building software, and understanding versioning and release processes.

A brewing revolution: results and impact of the project

With KDAB expertize, Speidel was able to create a fully automated brewing process with a modern touch-screen user interface and Wi-Fi capabilities. The new Braumeister model provides an intuitive and visually rich brewing experience.

The project has also had several long-term benefits for Speidel. It has helped the company better understand the craftsmanship of modern software development and establish a software development process. This new knowledge and capability has allowed Speidel to swiftly innovate in new areas and grow their customer base. With a software foundation, they have been able to make their traditional products both modern and adaptable, a benefit they have been able to extend to their other product lines.

Furthermore, the project has led to the creation of a whole new line of business: an active online store and a dynamic user community that loves their products. This transformation from a generations-old manufacturer to a product innovator was made possible by the software competency gained through the partnership with KDAB.