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Article
If you've been in the quality field for any length of time, you've almost assuredly come into contact with any number of compliance mandates, regulations and standards. You've also undoubtedly heard such processes referred to as "paper driven," and nowhere does this hold more true than in the constant auditing that goes hand-in-hand with most all of these processes. But "paper driven" sounds so last-millennium. With all of the computing power now available, surely there are ways to digitize this ongoing chore (hopefully making it more efficient and less labor-intensive). Just ask your IT department. Anyone there will likely tell you they can use a computer to make just about any task easier to complete and more accurate. After all, this is the technology age. Almost forgotten are the days of pencils, Wite-Out, binder after binder overflowing with documents, walls of filing cabinets, and enough time staring at spreadsheets to have you seeing double. Today it's all about terabytes of server space, digital data, ergonomically designed keyboards and mice, and enough time staring at a computer monitor to have you seeing double. Indeed, your company likely already has more than enough computing power to delve into the world of auditing software. (Almost any PC built in the last three or so years meets this type of software's minimum requirements.) In fact, that's where the real power lies: in the software. But it's also where the difficulty lies. Sure, there are plenty of good reasons to use auditing software: In addition to accuracy and speed considerations, digital data is easier to back up, store, modify and distribute. But where do you get started comparing the myriad vendors vying for your business--each claiming its product is the best available? "The auditing system should be intuitive and easy-to-use," suggests Chris Parsons, Pilgrim Software's director of marketing. "It should feature powerful workflow capabilities for audit scheduling and task assignment. Security, flexibility and scalability are also important considerations. You should find a vendor that has a proven solution and existing customers in your industry, and that offers good support and software maintenance." As is true in several software niches, and contemporary life in general, the Internet is changing everything. Like products in those other software categories, auditing solutions proffered as the latest and greatest are Web-enabled, if not Web-based. Herein lies another pitfall. Make sure, especially with regard to Internet capabilities, you know what you're buying. Some packages, those that are Web-enabled--but may be called just about anything--use the Internet to share information. Such setups can require the application to be installed on every computer that requires access. Other packages are Web-based--though the nomenclature can vary here, too. Such offerings exist on a Web server, and are therefore available to any computer, anywhere, with an Internet connection and a browser. "The ability to lock down security to the record and field level allows auditees to access only the records that specifically pertain to them," explains AssurX Inc.'s Tamar June, referring to her company's Web-based auditing software. "The electronic workflow and automatic e-mail notifications enable the system to communicate audit findings and request responses with minimal fumbling around on the user's part." Another key consideration when shopping for auditing software is integration, namely with corrective and preventive action systems. "This ensures that issues uncovered during an audit are addressed through a closed-loop corrective action process," explains Parsons. "The best auditing systems provide remote auditing capabilities so that auditors can enter findings obtained during a field audit. Integration with supplier management systems enable audit findings to be included in supplier scorecards/ratings and also provide suppliers with the capability to log into the system to respond to corrective actions." According to Parsons and others, integration with other business systems (e.g., document management, human resources, incoming and in-process inspections, etc.) enables audit findings to be addressed across the enterprise. In final analysis, the purchasing considerations (as usual) are numerous and critical. They should include: compatibility and integration with other systems, ease of use, security, flexibility, scalability, reputation (preferably in your industry) and, of course, the granddaddy of all factors: cost. Although we have not evaluated, nor do we endorse, any such products, we're committed to providing you a start in your auditing software hunt. What follows below is a directory (complete with contact information) of companies that tell us they provide auditing software. Only those companies that responded to our requests for information are listed. Happy hunting. Providors of Auditing Software |
4aBetterBusiness Inc.
Achiever Business Solutions
Advanced Systems & Designs Inc.
AssurX Inc.
AutoData Systems
CEBOS Ltd.
CimWorks
Creatively Simple Solutions Inc.
CyberMetrics Corp.
DOES Institute
e-Trax Inc.
EtQ Inc.
Fujitsu Software Corp.
Future Insite Inc.
Global Quality Institute
The Harrington Group Inc.
Helm Instrument Co. Inc.
IBS America
IDS Scheer
IMAS Corp.
Inclusive Solutions
InfoSynergy Inc.
Integral Solutions Inc.
Intelex Technologies Inc.
Interax Group
Intercim Inc.
Interliance LLC
IQS Inc.
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IQuES
ISO9
JK Technologies Inc.
Lilly Software Associates Inc.
Lynk Software Inc.
MetricStream
Norfox Software Inc.
Omnex Systems
Paperless Auditing Systems
Pilgrim Software Inc.
Pister Group Inc.
Powerway Inc.
PQ Systems Inc.
Prism eSolutions LLC
Proquis Inc.
Purchasing Solutions
QSET Inc.
Quality America Inc.
Quality Council of Indiana
Quality Systems Enhancement Inc.
Quality Systems Integrators
Qualiware Inc.
Rand E. Winters Group Inc.
Raosoft Inc.
Reger Quality Consultants
RFF Electronics
Software Productivity Centre Inc.
Stochos Inc.
Strider International
TIP Technologies Inc.
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