The oil industry is going through a rough patch right now. It may seem dire with wells going offline and new exploration being reduced, but this is not the first time this has happened and it won't be the last.

During times like these, companies find themselves looking for ways to maintain productivity and revenue while limiting exposure to the markets and unnecessary costs. Operational excellence lies at the heart of these efforts.

If your organization is reeling from the market shifts and looking for ways to survive, then now is the perfect time to re-examine your operational expenditures, project management, and other critical processes.

It can be hard for companies to step back from the current crisis and see the big picture, but gaining a high-level view of the company, markets, and industry is essential to long-term success. Doing this now will help you spot opportunities for cost reduction and reinvestment while the market is down, and it will place you in a better growth position once prices begin to rise again.

Remember that the ability to look at your current situation through the lenses of operations, compliance, and quality management is a strategic strength. It gives you a perspective that balances data, business goals, and risk management. Organizations that use this approach will discover ways to do more with less and re-establish growth.

If your organization is weathering the current storm well, then you should take advantage of your balance sheet and relatively strong position to realign operations toward future investments and even better results once the downturn ends.

Firms in a good position can arguably benefit the most quickly from improving operations because they are starting from a strong foundation. That said, operational analysis and management still needs to be taken seriously and given attention. You cannot rest on your laurels.

Companies that commit to improving their operations and/or maintaining their already high standards will see their fortunes improve much faster than firms that ignore issues during the downturn. Firms practicing operational excellence or working towards it will be more agile and responsive to market changes during this cycle and future ones.

Operational excellence is an asset in itself and times like these prove it. Take a look at your operations now and be willing to make changes, so that you are ready for the future. If you don't, then rest assured that your competitors will and it will cost you.

Companies relying on the traditional spreadsheet to manage their QMS often find it to be overwhelming to manage as the data volume continues to grow. Those working using spreadsheets have to contend with issues like how best to collaborate when working within the same sheet or how to maintain data integrity. Quality management software can be advantageous for organizations that want to save time and improve productivity when managing data.

Barriers with the traditional spreadsheet

Traditional spreadsheets can be challenging to keep updated. Different individuals working on the same spreadsheet can lead to versioning issues where it’s difficult to keep track of the most current file. Collaboration within a spreadsheet is also limited. Comments can be hidden or mistakenly overlooked due to the very layout of the spreadsheet. Working within multiple spreadsheets can lead to difficulty when reconciling data. One version may have been edited with the current information, while a team member works concurrently on a different file at the same time, making updates to a different item. It can be challenging reconciling the two versions. Quality management software makes for a good alternative to the long and often cumbersome spreadsheet.

Top advantages of a quality management software solution

Millions of companies are utilizing quality management software solutions to answer the need for a better way to manage data and information. Both management and team members alike recognize the value in being able to better manage large volumes of data in order to improve their information flow.

Adopting Quality Management Software (QMS)

Accupoint’s quality management systems can automate your program updates based on parameters set. This means that you don’t have to worry about changing and overhauling your system because the solution evolves as your business needs do.

1. Our solutions improve data integrity. Redundancy of data, entry protocols, system updates and records maintenance can all be done conveniently from within the software solution. Pulling accurate reporting is easiest when information is consolidated and entered uniformly.
   
2. Detecting emerging trends across different areas of the organization is simplified with our quality management solutions. The information is securely stored within the centralized system, which makes all of the data is available for review in real-time. Accessibility to real-time data enables smart, quick decision-making across the board.
   
3. While spreadsheets can hold a large amount of data, keeping information secure and reliable as data continues to grow presents its share of challenges. Scalable quality manage systems empower teams to seamlessly expand their solutions to accommodate growing customer and regulatory requirements.
   
4. An Accupoint solution offer flexibility in how data is entered. Individuals can choose to enter data traditionally or through other methods such as scanning or geo-tagging. These options facilitate collaboration and reduce error rates among those handling information. Embracing the spreadsheet alternative reduces the risks associated in having multiple hands involved with the data management process.
   
5.  User-friendly methods to track a range of different types of information are an additional advantage to transitioning to an Accupoint solution.  Tracking training progress, quality standard updates, testing cycles, and auditing results can all be done conveniently through one single user interface.
   

Cutting costs with accurate real-time data and improved collaboration are the most common reasons for making the switch to a quality management software solution. Better reporting, collaboration, data integrity, and automated program updates become possible with the right system and solution in place. Excel spreadsheets can serve a purpose for a specified amount of time when data is limited in volume. As the amount of data grows, management must be prepared to evaluate quality management systems if they are to remain productive.
 
For more information on Accupoint solutions or to schedule a platform demonstration, please call us toll-free 800.563.6250 or visit us at www.accupointsoftware.com