Total quality management, or TQM, is becoming increasingly important for many manufacturers and distributors. Tier one and two suppliers are being encouraged (and in some cases forced) by the large companies they provide services to get on board with TQM software systems. TQM needs to address all of the important aspects of a quality management system and bring them together into one integrated system. Software for TQM needs to be versatile and configurable to align all of the various aspects of quality management. Innovative, browser-based applications can help manufacturers and distributors more easily configure a total quality solution that addresses all of their needs, and is within their budget.

What is total quality management? TQM encompasses quality control on the factory floor, and well beyond. It consists of the following: a. Statistical control applications b. Defect tracking systems c. PPM (parts per million) reporting d. Quality document management e. Customer portals for access to quality documents f. Vendor portals g. Quality assurance h. Data management i. Corrective action measures (CAPA) reporting j. Change management k. Corporate dashboards to access all of the quality data

These applications should easily extend throughout the corporation, and be accessible to the appropriate personnel from any location. Customer portals allowing access to quality data help build customer confidence as well as assure that products meet quality requirements. These interfaces when combined with a barcoding system, can allow users access to the quality settings and production data relevent to any individual part or item. Trending, or looking at the quality issues regarding a large number of parts, is also becoming more popular.

Web-based software for total quality management is becoming more popular due to the growing acceptance and use of browser-based software systems. Browser-native TQM software provides the perfect vehicle to deliver all of the various aspects of quality management, which savy corporations are looking for in an easy to use format, in a short amount of time and at reasonable cost with quick ROI.

Browser-based systems allow for extensive customization, so that the applications can be configured to fit any customer’s needs. They can also be modified easily as the need arises. Browser-based total quality management solutions have more to offer buyers in terms of functionality, accessibility, customizability and price than some other legacy quality management software applications.