"This is how it’s always been done,” is a dangerous statement for business leaders. Markets are far too competitive and change far too quickly for business as usual to deliver quality results. Today, you have to focus on how quality management processes can be completed smarter, faster, easier and with more agility.
While many companies are embracing new technologies to innovate, automate and optimize different aspects of operations, one aspect that can benefit from a move to digital processes right away is quality management. Forcing outdated “pencil and paper” or spreadsheet-based quality management systems (QMS) into today’s operations won’t work. By embracing an integrated QMS that leverages built-in quality best practices for your industry, you’ll unlock 8 key returns on your investment.
Improved Data Management
A fully integrated QMS enables you to organize and manage all recorded data in real time. This makes it easier to uphold and respond
to industry standards, regulations and guidelines as they evolve. It also
helps you ensure that your records are always in sync and that obsolete
documents don’t remain in circulation. You are in position to more
efficiently respond to audits, as well.
Increased Visibility
Upgrading from spreadsheet-based quality management to an automated QMS centralizes your data and creates a document storeroom. This is a critical benefit as enterprises become increasingly
distributed. With centralized documents, multiple employees can access
updated data in real time no matter what location they’re in.
Waste Reduction
If you’re still using paper-based quality management, a modern QMS gives you an opportunity to make your business more sustainable. By completely eliminating the need for paper, you can cut costs while
making your operations more environmentally friendly. Beyond the
direct financial impact, this kind of shift toward green operations can
improve your company’s public image.
Time Savings
Workflow inefficiencies can significantly reduce employee productivity which, in turn, hurts your bottom line. But with improved document control, automated processes and greater data visibility, your modern
QMS will help employees and departments waste less time when
searching for information and completing day-to-day tasks.
Better Accessibility
One reason that spreadsheet-based quality management is so inefficient is the time and effort it takes to access records. When data and documents are easy to edit, share, update and access, you’ll be
able to streamline the retrieval process while ensuring everyone is using
consistent information and adhering to record retention compliance.
Financial Benefits
There are three direct ROI benefits you can gain from a fully integrated QMS: 1) general cost savings from shifting to electronic workflows - shifting from spreadsheet based to digital quality management
decreases cost in labor and supplies while reducing human error that
would otherwise hurt your margins; 2) identifying internal and external
issues that can impact inventory, scrap, rework and recalls – all of which
can have a significant cost and customer satisfaction impact; and 3)
increasing revenues by being able to bring products to market faster
and building higher customer loyalty.
Corrective Actions
Outdated quality management processes make it difficult to implement corrective actions quickly to address potentially costly business issues. Heightened visibility and accessibility with an automated QMS make it simpler to implement corrective actions and ensure that standards are
met and upheld. Integrating with your ERP and other manufacturing
systems can automate these processes further.
Flexibility
Business requirements are constantly changing and quality management has to keep up. Spreadsheet based processes aren’t flexible enough to continuously adapt as necessary. Highly configurable and flexible QMS software is now capable of meeting the needs of
any business or production environment—regardless of scope or size.
Easy-to-tune, optimized and automated workflows will help you be
more proactive in quality management across your organization.
Ready to leave spreadsheet-based quality management behind so you can increase
efficiency, accuracy, throughput and, ultimately, improve product and service quality?