December 2004 Pre Dinner Summary
Automated Lean Office Systems By Dan Waters, ProMation Systems, Inc.
Dan started his presentation by pointing out some advantages between dedicated Quality Management Software and software added onto a company’s existing management package. Dedicated software is built to handle the special activities of quality management, forcing important items to be addressed. If there is a priority conflict in a company-wide management system, there is the possibility that items could be set aside in favor of other activity.
Dan went on to demonstrate in some detail a modular quality management system he has built. Modular software allows a customer to start small and build up the package as fits their need. Some of the modules can be calibration; inspection records; inspection procedures; supplier first article reports; non-conforming material reports; CAPA; part change notices; corrective actions; supplier deviation reports; audits; or internal deviation reports.
One of the benefits of using a dedicated, modular system is that, since it is a relational database, completing a report in one module can trigger forced activity in other related modules. The system Dan demonstrated force e-mails to be sent to involved parties and did not broadcast to uninvolved parties. Activities and their due dates resulting from the report are also generated. If a lot of parts are found discrepant, for instance, all the people who need to know are notified by e-mail and disposition activity is automatically generated with due dates and responsible people identified.