Manufacturers today report that their biggest challenge is satisfying customers who demand more detailed product information. For larger companies with many suppliers and remote locations, this is an important issue.

To maintain profitability, manufacturers rely on production automation, and in many cases this has allowed them to “right-size” their personnel. To further increase profits, these companies must find new ways to make the supply-chain production process more efficient. Statistical process control (SPC) software offers the tools, techniques, and the data-driven approach to positively affect these processes.

Evaluating and choosing the SPC software system that best addresses a manufacturer’s specific needs requires careful consideration. This article will provide some helpful guidelines to keep in mind during the selection process. It should be noted that although the type of software discussed here is best suited for larger companies, many SPC software companies also offer lower-end products that can help smaller organizations meet their needs without requiring an IT department.

 …