Meeting Quality Requirements

The ISO 9000 global standard has created an enormous need to organize, structure, control, and communicate all facets of the quality system. Quality, combined with Manufacturing, Inventory, and Purchasing, facilitates the organization and maintenance of the quality information system (its structure, control plans, and key documentation) throughout the enterprise. Online access and review of these details improves communication, reduces procedural errors, and contributes to a successful audit of overall quality effort.

When integrating inspection procedures, operation instructions, and other controlled documents, Quality provides an environment for manufacturing consistency and continuous improvement by:

• Documenting statistically significant changes in the manufacturing process.

• Automatically assessing control violations with immediate notification to operators.

• Electronically distributing violations internally or to the extended enterprise (suppliers or customers) using intelligent Workflow agents.

When an out-of-control condition is determined, Quality provides the tools to view the condition, indicate probable causes, and take corrective actions. This information is then tied to the event and, specifically, to the point on the control chart. Additionally, each point (subgroup) on the control chart contains a complete history of traceability data, such as supplier ID or serial ID.

When you receive items on a purchase order or a Return Material Authorization (RMA), Quality provides integration with Purchasing and Inventory to assist in monitoring and inspecting the quality of the item being received or returned.

Throughout the environment, you use advanced security and audit tools to restrict user access and maintain database integrity. In addition to the network, database, and PeopleTools online security, Quality provides audit-trail information for critical areas of the quality management process, including control-plan modifications, data-entry events, control-test violations, specification limit changes, and control limit changes.