Bluestreak™ Reading Time: 3 minutes
In the competitive manufacturing world, selecting the right Quality Management System (QMS) is crucial to maintaining operational excellence and ensuring product quality. Beware of software providers making bold claims, like "Operators Fully Trained in 10 Minutes"—if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Comprehensive QMS takes time to master because anything worth having, especially when it’s the backbone of your business success and reputation, deserves a thorough understanding and application. Beware of QMS software providers that fall short.
Read on for a quick review of 36 statements and critical functionalities your QMS should include. Compare this list to your current system or the one you’re considering, and see how it stacks up. After this, you’ll understand why calling Bluestreak QMS + MES is the best move for your business.
1. Not Designed for Your Business Requirements:
A QMS should be tailored to your specific industry and operational needs.
2. Lacks Cybersecurity Best Practices:
Protect your data with compliance to standards like NIST 800-171 or CMMC.
3. Outsources Customer Support:
Reliable support should be in-house for better accountability and expertise.
4. No Continuous Development:
Ensure your software stays cutting-edge with ongoing updates and improvements.
5. Doesn't Track User Activities:
Comprehensive tracking is essential for accountability and process improvement.
6. Incompatible with ERP Systems:
Seamless data sharing with ERP and other key systems is crucial for efficiency.
7. No Customer Self-Serve Portal:
Provide your customers with easy access to their data and order statuses.
8. Allows Invoicing Before Job Completion:
Accurate invoicing should reflect completed work to maintain trust and accuracy.
9. Skips Critical Job and Quality Steps:
Ensure all steps are tracked and controlled to maintain high-quality standards.
10. Lacks Document Management:
Version control, change approvals, and change acknowledgments are essential.
11. No Part Sampling Plans:
Implement specific control plans for parts to ensure quality and consistency.
12. No Automatic Contract Review:
Reduce errors and omissions with automated contract reviews at order entry.
13. No Equipment Integration:
Connect with control systems, charting, or SCADA systems for better oversight.
14. Lacks Interoperability with Other Systems:
Ensure critical data can be shared across all your software systems.
15. Incompatible with Customer ERP Systems:
Facilitate smooth data exchange with EDI/EDE capabilities.
16. No KPI Dashboards:
Multiple customizable KPI dashboards by department are vital for tracking performance.
17. No Workforce Training Program:
Ensure comprehensive and ongoing training for your workforce.
18. No Instant Notifications:
Triggering events should send automatic notifications to relevant personnel.
19. No Media Attachments:
Attach various media types to job steps for clearer instructions and documentation.
20. Doesn't Track Labor Usage:
Track both direct and indirect labor for accurate cost and efficiency analysis.
21. Poor Risk Management:
Manage and document risk, CAPAs, nonconformances, and customer complaints effectively.
22. Inability to Freeze Processes:
Prevent unwanted changes to critical processes when necessary.
23. No Control Plan Flexibility:
Control plans should be editable or non-editable on work orders as required.
24. No Complete Revision History:
Maintain a detailed revision history for transparency and accountability.
25. Allows Non-Conforming Parts to Proceed:
Ensure non-conforming parts are halted and reviewed before continuing.
26. No Centralized Quality Manual:
Keep the most current quality manual and policies easily accessible.
27. Lacks Specific Control Plans:
Create customer, part, or process-specific control plans attached to work orders.
28. No User-Defined Data Collection:
Define exact data collection requirements for specific operation steps.
29. No Risk Templates:
Use manageable risk templates with scorable questions for accurate risk assessment.
30. Fails Auditor Expectations:
Satisfy outside auditors with proper risk analysis procedures.
31. No Risk Analysis for Quotes:
Complete a risk analysis for every quoted part before sending it to customers.
32. No Workforce Training Tracking:
Track and manage training and recertification requirements effectively.
33. Limited Scheduling Views:
Provide multiple job scheduling and equipment utilization views for better planning.
34. No SPC Analysis:
Utilize statistical process control for predictive maintenance and process variation detection.
35. No User Viewing Restrictions:
Enforce viewing restrictions for compliance with ITAR, EAR, etc.
36. Lacks Extensibility:
Choose software that can be configured and customized to meet your unique needs now and in the future.
After reviewing these critical functions, it’s clear that a truly comprehensive QMS is worth investing time and effort in fully learning and utilizing. If your current system is lacking, or if you’re considering a new provider, it might be time for an upgrade. Call Bluestreak QMS + MES today to ensure you’re not settling for less than the best.
Invest in Quality, Not Quick Fixes – Choose Bluestreak.
About Bluestreak™:
Bluestreak™ is a fully integrated Quality Management System (QMS), a powerful Manufacturing Execution System (MES) designed for the manufacturing environment and service-based manufacturing companies ( metal-treating/powder-coating, plating, heat-treating, forging, and metal-finishing), businesses that receive customers’ parts, perform a process (service) on them, and send those parts back to the customer). Companies need MES software tailored to specific functionality and workflow needs, such as industry-specific specifications management, intuitive scheduling control for staff and machinery maintenance, and the ability to manage work orders and track real-time data. If different work centers on the production floor aren’t “speaking” to each other via the MES, the data loses value and becomes disjointed or lost in disparate silos.
Bluestreak | Bright AM™ is an MES + QMS software solution specifically designed to manage and optimize the unique requirements of Additive Manufacturing’s production of parts and powder inventory usage.
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