In the first installment of this series, we considered four traits to look for in an automated quality management system (QMS) that will provide the most long-term value for your money. Now we’ll take a more in-depth look at the automated QMS by breaking it down into its core functionalities and discussing the benefits of each. Let’s begin with the corrective and preventive action (CAPA) system.

The CAPA system aims to identify, eradicate, and reduce the chance of adverse events recurring. Adverse events can result through any number of ways—whether through a complaint, an audit, or shop-floor event—and the corrective action process is often initiated at this point. But do all adverse events require a corrective action? Should all adverse events be managed equally? Does your business have the resources to manage a CAPA system? These are questions that cash-strapped small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) ask themselves when assessing their QMS.

Here are five ways in which an automated CAPA can make the process of managing adverse events easier and cost-effective for SMEs.

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