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For natural gas or petroleum manufacturing businesses, API Spec Q1 compliance is a major land-mark towards demand satisfaction. Whether you seek to prevent product recalls, increase employee efficiency, or show customers your quality, Spec Q1 compliance is a valuable asset.
Product Recalls
Product recalls are often the result of not catching variations in supply quality or in your manufacturing processes before the product is in the field. With the extreme costs of production loss during a product recall, it is in the best interest of your company, and your customers, to maintain quality standards throughout your organization.
The right software solution for your business will be able to track variations in product, process or supply, and give you the tools to fix them. Additionally, the right system for API compliance will work across your business, from the entry-level janitorial staff to the C-Suite, each person involved in your business will have access to their pertinent information.
Increase Employee Efficiency
This information management will give you the ability to diagnose areas where employees need more training and where your systems need changed. The goal of a quality management system is to go beyond compliance, into competition and excellence.
An integrated system designed for API Q1 compliance gives you opportunity to continually increase the quality of your people and processes, which creates a great product.
Show Customers Quality Product
API Spec Q1 compliance is an opportunity to manage and renovate all of your business systems to produce a better product faster. This is what efficiency and quality does, and when you can show your commitment to your customers with full compliance, you are on your way towards growing your business in this competitive industry. For more information on API, ISO and other compliance standards, and how to meet them with our cloud based software solutions, please contact us.
Product Recalls
Product recalls are often the result of not catching variations in supply quality or in your manufacturing processes before the product is in the field. With the extreme costs of production loss during a product recall, it is in the best interest of your company, and your customers, to maintain quality standards throughout your organization.
The right software solution for your business will be able to track variations in product, process or supply, and give you the tools to fix them. Additionally, the right system for API compliance will work across your business, from the entry-level janitorial staff to the C-Suite, each person involved in your business will have access to their pertinent information.
Increase Employee Efficiency
This information management will give you the ability to diagnose areas where employees need more training and where your systems need changed. The goal of a quality management system is to go beyond compliance, into competition and excellence.
An integrated system designed for API Q1 compliance gives you opportunity to continually increase the quality of your people and processes, which creates a great product.
Show Customers Quality Product
API Spec Q1 compliance is an opportunity to manage and renovate all of your business systems to produce a better product faster. This is what efficiency and quality does, and when you can show your commitment to your customers with full compliance, you are on your way towards growing your business in this competitive industry. For more information on API, ISO and other compliance standards, and how to meet them with our cloud based software solutions, please contact us.
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The new API Spec Q2 standard requires Service Supply Organizations to develop a Service Quality Plan to control the execution of the service or the use of a service related product (SRP). As part of the plan documentation, we are required to identify project deliverables, as well as customer deliverables. Distinguishing the two terms can create some confusion, so we would like to define and differentiate between the two in today’s post.
Let’s start with project deliverables. This is the list of all activities that are required to develop the project but aren’t necessarily the deliverables required by the contract. This includes activities like sketches, models, training, calculations, and so on that allow you to produce the customer deliverable. It is important to have a detailed list of project deliverables to calculate the time, cost, and/or resources required to provide the service.
On the other hand, customer deliverables are activities that must be satisfied and are used to make payment, or monitor project progress. A simple example, not related to the oil and gas industry, would be the production of an automobile. The customer wants your organization to build a car and gives you all of the required specifications including color, accessories and horsepower specifications. In order to fulfill the customer requirements, you must complete the production of the car to the specifications.
However, there are a variety of project deliverables you must complete in order to make the car. This includes planning, materials, labor, machinery and sub-components required to develop and manufacture the car. To summarize, customer deliverables are what you get paid for, and project deliverables define how you produce what you get paid for.
For more information on how Accupoint’s cloud-based quality management systems can help your organizations handle the documentation of deliverables, visit www.accupointsoftware.com or call us toll free at 800.563.6250!
Let’s start with project deliverables. This is the list of all activities that are required to develop the project but aren’t necessarily the deliverables required by the contract. This includes activities like sketches, models, training, calculations, and so on that allow you to produce the customer deliverable. It is important to have a detailed list of project deliverables to calculate the time, cost, and/or resources required to provide the service.
On the other hand, customer deliverables are activities that must be satisfied and are used to make payment, or monitor project progress. A simple example, not related to the oil and gas industry, would be the production of an automobile. The customer wants your organization to build a car and gives you all of the required specifications including color, accessories and horsepower specifications. In order to fulfill the customer requirements, you must complete the production of the car to the specifications.
However, there are a variety of project deliverables you must complete in order to make the car. This includes planning, materials, labor, machinery and sub-components required to develop and manufacture the car. To summarize, customer deliverables are what you get paid for, and project deliverables define how you produce what you get paid for.
For more information on how Accupoint’s cloud-based quality management systems can help your organizations handle the documentation of deliverables, visit www.accupointsoftware.com or call us toll free at 800.563.6250!
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A comprehensive QMS should include components for monitoring and measuring customer feedback. It should contain effective procedures for the receipt, logging, evaluation, investigation & reporting of all issues raised by the customer. The results of this analysis should then be used as a driver for designing and implementing improvements to your system.
For more information on integrating customer satisfaction into your Quality management program, contact the Accupoint team toll-free at 800-563-6250 or visit us on the web at www.accupointsoftware.com
For more information on integrating customer satisfaction into your Quality management program, contact the Accupoint team toll-free at 800-563-6250 or visit us on the web at www.accupointsoftware.com
Happy and satisfied customers are the lifeblood of your business. Everybody knows that, but did you know that customer satisfaction should be built into your quality management system (QMS).
When you think about it, quality performance is first and foremost about meeting the needs and expectations of the customer. Therefore, we need to expand our definition of quality management to include customer satisfaction as a means of improving performance over the long term.
The following chart helps to illustrate the concept:
When you think about it, quality performance is first and foremost about meeting the needs and expectations of the customer. Therefore, we need to expand our definition of quality management to include customer satisfaction as a means of improving performance over the long term.
The following chart helps to illustrate the concept:
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A Quality Management System (QMS), when properly designed and implemented, provides great benefits to companies in the oil service industry. It enable the companies to do a better job of meeting customer demands while also improving the ability to deal with health, safety, and environmental issues. If you are given the responsibility of helping to design, evaluate, or implement a quality management system, here are some items to consider.
Be sure to include all parties in the process, not just the Quality Control Manager or Supervisors. Including members of all work groups and departments insures that various perspectives are considered in the creation of training and procedural manuals. This structure also insures that all of the final documentation is easily understood by the end users.
Avoid the downfall of creating paperwork just for the sake of having some type of documentation on file when the results are not really used or implemented. Instead, consider adding control plans, flow charts, and work procedures that are continually evaluated, revised when needed and put into practice. These documents can help to simplify the operations in a variety of locations throughout the company.
Finally, when designing your preventive maintenance program, don't just go by the manufacturers recommendations. Be sure to include the input of the operators who are actually using the equipment on a regular basis. Input from "real world" application can prove to be extremely valuable.
These are just few of the issues to consider when designing and implementing a QMS. The benefits of a well-designed QMS are numerous and include easy-to-access documentation, elimination of unnecessary documents, fewer on-the-job mishaps, more customer recognition, and of course, a benefit to the bottom line.
To learn more about how Accupoint Software can provide solutions to develop and simply your quality management system, call us toll-free at 800.563.6250 or visit us on the web at www.accupointsoftware.com.
Follow us on Twitter: @Accupoint_ and LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/accupoint-software
Be sure to include all parties in the process, not just the Quality Control Manager or Supervisors. Including members of all work groups and departments insures that various perspectives are considered in the creation of training and procedural manuals. This structure also insures that all of the final documentation is easily understood by the end users.
Avoid the downfall of creating paperwork just for the sake of having some type of documentation on file when the results are not really used or implemented. Instead, consider adding control plans, flow charts, and work procedures that are continually evaluated, revised when needed and put into practice. These documents can help to simplify the operations in a variety of locations throughout the company.
Finally, when designing your preventive maintenance program, don't just go by the manufacturers recommendations. Be sure to include the input of the operators who are actually using the equipment on a regular basis. Input from "real world" application can prove to be extremely valuable.
These are just few of the issues to consider when designing and implementing a QMS. The benefits of a well-designed QMS are numerous and include easy-to-access documentation, elimination of unnecessary documents, fewer on-the-job mishaps, more customer recognition, and of course, a benefit to the bottom line.
To learn more about how Accupoint Software can provide solutions to develop and simply your quality management system, call us toll-free at 800.563.6250 or visit us on the web at www.accupointsoftware.com.
Follow us on Twitter: @Accupoint_ and LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/accupoint-software
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Not too long ago, only large companies could afford the advantage of software to improve production, efficiency, and safety. The high price tag resulted from the nature of on-site software. Not only was the price for the product high, but also clients were charged fees for service and training on the software that could dwarf the cost of the product. This structure prevented many budget-conscious firms from purchasing software that could benefit them.
Times have changed.
The increased availability of SaaS (Software as a Service) applications have made it possible for companies of all sizes to achieve the benefits that were once only attainable by larger firms. On-site software has the distinct disadvantage of requiring installation whereas SaaS requires no installation because it operates in the cloud. This eliminates the need for additional personnel expenses to manage an on-site system. SaaS applications also do not require the frequent maintenance that is common with its on-site counterparts.
The SaaS model is ideal for firms that choose to operate in a cost-effective manner. You may have thought about software for your business but quickly dismissed it because of perceived costs. If your firm could benefit from a software application, don’t assume that it won’t fit your budget.
For more information on how Accupoint's flexible, cloud-based platform can provide your organization with a cost effective alternative to manage your compliance management systems visit Accupoint or call us at (800)563-6250 to learn more about our SaaS applications.
Times have changed.
The increased availability of SaaS (Software as a Service) applications have made it possible for companies of all sizes to achieve the benefits that were once only attainable by larger firms. On-site software has the distinct disadvantage of requiring installation whereas SaaS requires no installation because it operates in the cloud. This eliminates the need for additional personnel expenses to manage an on-site system. SaaS applications also do not require the frequent maintenance that is common with its on-site counterparts.
The SaaS model is ideal for firms that choose to operate in a cost-effective manner. You may have thought about software for your business but quickly dismissed it because of perceived costs. If your firm could benefit from a software application, don’t assume that it won’t fit your budget.
For more information on how Accupoint's flexible, cloud-based platform can provide your organization with a cost effective alternative to manage your compliance management systems visit Accupoint or call us at (800)563-6250 to learn more about our SaaS applications.
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If you are looking to update your API Spec Q1 standards to the 9th edition, you are likely coming to grips with the numerous changes that your organization will be required to make.
The transition can be cumbersome if your organization does not have the proper system in place. Manual and paper-based systems can often be unorganized and disjointed, which can lead to redundancies and inefficiencies.
With the June deadline for 9th edition fast approaching we believe that deploying a comprehensive, cloud-based system like InterLink will help manage the implementation and management of API Spec Q1. InterLink’s intuitive user-interface allows you to monitor your data, documents, and metrics from anywhere at anytime.
Don’t let compliance exhaust your resources. Let InterLink save your organization time so you can focus on your core competencies.
If you want to ease the burden of compliance and increase efficiency, visit accupointsoftware.com or call 800.563.6250.
The transition can be cumbersome if your organization does not have the proper system in place. Manual and paper-based systems can often be unorganized and disjointed, which can lead to redundancies and inefficiencies.
With the June deadline for 9th edition fast approaching we believe that deploying a comprehensive, cloud-based system like InterLink will help manage the implementation and management of API Spec Q1. InterLink’s intuitive user-interface allows you to monitor your data, documents, and metrics from anywhere at anytime.
Don’t let compliance exhaust your resources. Let InterLink save your organization time so you can focus on your core competencies.
If you want to ease the burden of compliance and increase efficiency, visit accupointsoftware.com or call 800.563.6250.
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The updated API Spec Q1-9th edition has raised a number of questions. One of the most frequent questions is what constitutes a critical supplier and how do we verify that their QMS conforms to our internal requirements?
Let’s start by answering what a critical supplier is. Basically, the term “critical” is defined by your organization. If your organization cannot survive without this supplier then this supplier should be considered “critical.” These suppliers should play an integral part in the production of your finished product. Keep in mind that “critical” can also refer to the amount of money that is spent with this supplier. It is important that we regularly evaluate our suppliers to insure that their quality, delivery and response performance meet our internal benchmarks. Maintaining supply chain performance is essential to your bottom line, as well as compliance with Spec Q1-9th edition requirements.
Next, let’s look at how to verify that your suppliers’ QMS conforms to the requirements of your organization. You need to outline the specific certification(s), if any, required of your suppliers. If you require certification, then you can rely on the results of a third party auditor to verify that an acceptable system is in place. If you plan to handle supplier audits internally, then you will need to develop site-specific criteria for each supplier. After your initial audit, you will need to conduct regular surveillance audits to verify continued acceptability of the supplier system.
Supplier management is one of the key components of the 9th edition requirements. It is important that your organization maintains a comprehensive supplier management program with the ability benchmark performance metrics.
To find out about how Accupoint Software can help you with effective supplier management programs, as well as the other requirements of Q1- 9th edition, call 800.563.6250 or visit our website at www.accupointsoftware.com.
Let’s start by answering what a critical supplier is. Basically, the term “critical” is defined by your organization. If your organization cannot survive without this supplier then this supplier should be considered “critical.” These suppliers should play an integral part in the production of your finished product. Keep in mind that “critical” can also refer to the amount of money that is spent with this supplier. It is important that we regularly evaluate our suppliers to insure that their quality, delivery and response performance meet our internal benchmarks. Maintaining supply chain performance is essential to your bottom line, as well as compliance with Spec Q1-9th edition requirements.
Next, let’s look at how to verify that your suppliers’ QMS conforms to the requirements of your organization. You need to outline the specific certification(s), if any, required of your suppliers. If you require certification, then you can rely on the results of a third party auditor to verify that an acceptable system is in place. If you plan to handle supplier audits internally, then you will need to develop site-specific criteria for each supplier. After your initial audit, you will need to conduct regular surveillance audits to verify continued acceptability of the supplier system.
Supplier management is one of the key components of the 9th edition requirements. It is important that your organization maintains a comprehensive supplier management program with the ability benchmark performance metrics.
To find out about how Accupoint Software can help you with effective supplier management programs, as well as the other requirements of Q1- 9th edition, call 800.563.6250 or visit our website at www.accupointsoftware.com.
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In today’s post, we would like to discuss one of the essential additions to Spec Q1-9th edition: Risk Assessment and Management.
With the Deepwater Horizon incident of 2010 still fresh in our minds, we are all aware of the consequences of failing to acknowledge and address risks. However, it’s also important to realize that catastrophic incidents are neither inevitable, nor something we should have to accept as we pursue operations. Correctly managing our technology and processes can allow us to mitigate risk without impacting productivity.
To begin, let’s take a look at the requirements of Spec Q1-9th edition standard:
The organization shall maintain a documented procedure to identify and control risk associated with impact on delivery and quality of product. The procedure shall identify the techniques, tools, and their application for risk identification, assessment, and mitigation.
Risk assessment associated with product delivery shall include:
a) facility/equipment availability and maintenance; and
b) supplier performance and material availability/supply
Risk assessment associated with product quality shall include
c) delivery of non-conforming product
d) availability of competent personnel
Records of risk assessment and management including actions taken shall be maintained.
Spec Q1 emphasizes the importance of managing the risks related to facilities, equipment, materials, non-conformities, and personnel. So let’s explore the concept of risk management more fully, and review some composite factors that have been identified in past incidents:
1. Lack of Commitment-. Management sets the tone and culture of an organization, and there is a strong correlation between the level of managerial commitment and corresponding incident rates.
2. Flawed Management of Change- A large percentage of incidents take place after changes to a process or procedure. Implementing an effective management of change procedure and, more importantly, evaluating those efforts can dramatically reduce incident rates.
3. Inadequate Focus- In the race for productive operations, organizations tend to place an emphasis on response, rather than prevention. Building risk management into your processes from the beginning can help reverse that trend and lead to positive impacts to the corporate culture.
4. Ineffective Communications- In many cases, information is spread throughout the organization, with different departments having a piece of the puzzle. As an organization grows, this problem becomes worse. An effective risk assessment/management system reduces barriers to communication and improves communication systems.
In our next post, we’ll look at ways in which technology can be used to mitigate the items identified above and help your organization develop a world class compliance management system.
For more information on how Accupoint ‘s solutions can help your organization manage risk, contact us at 800.563.6250 or visit our website to arrange a demonstration of our flexible, cloud based API Spec Q1 management solution.
With the Deepwater Horizon incident of 2010 still fresh in our minds, we are all aware of the consequences of failing to acknowledge and address risks. However, it’s also important to realize that catastrophic incidents are neither inevitable, nor something we should have to accept as we pursue operations. Correctly managing our technology and processes can allow us to mitigate risk without impacting productivity.
To begin, let’s take a look at the requirements of Spec Q1-9th edition standard:
The organization shall maintain a documented procedure to identify and control risk associated with impact on delivery and quality of product. The procedure shall identify the techniques, tools, and their application for risk identification, assessment, and mitigation.
Risk assessment associated with product delivery shall include:
a) facility/equipment availability and maintenance; and
b) supplier performance and material availability/supply
Risk assessment associated with product quality shall include
c) delivery of non-conforming product
d) availability of competent personnel
Records of risk assessment and management including actions taken shall be maintained.
Spec Q1 emphasizes the importance of managing the risks related to facilities, equipment, materials, non-conformities, and personnel. So let’s explore the concept of risk management more fully, and review some composite factors that have been identified in past incidents:
1. Lack of Commitment-. Management sets the tone and culture of an organization, and there is a strong correlation between the level of managerial commitment and corresponding incident rates.
2. Flawed Management of Change- A large percentage of incidents take place after changes to a process or procedure. Implementing an effective management of change procedure and, more importantly, evaluating those efforts can dramatically reduce incident rates.
3. Inadequate Focus- In the race for productive operations, organizations tend to place an emphasis on response, rather than prevention. Building risk management into your processes from the beginning can help reverse that trend and lead to positive impacts to the corporate culture.
4. Ineffective Communications- In many cases, information is spread throughout the organization, with different departments having a piece of the puzzle. As an organization grows, this problem becomes worse. An effective risk assessment/management system reduces barriers to communication and improves communication systems.
In our next post, we’ll look at ways in which technology can be used to mitigate the items identified above and help your organization develop a world class compliance management system.
For more information on how Accupoint ‘s solutions can help your organization manage risk, contact us at 800.563.6250 or visit our website to arrange a demonstration of our flexible, cloud based API Spec Q1 management solution.
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Achieving compliance with API Spec Q1-9th Edition and/or API Spec Q2 can be challenging for any organization. Accupoint Software is committed to providing oil and gas manufacturers and service providers with everything they need to become compliant.
As such, Accupoint is extremely proud to provide, at no cost, our overviews of the API Spec Q1-9th edition and API Spec Q2 requirements. In these guides, we break down the major components of each standard and explain, in clear detail, what the requirements mean for your organization.
Click here for our API Spec Q1 and API Spec Q2 guides.
Also, please drop us a line on Twitter, join our LinkedIn group, or comment below to let us know what you think and what kinds of content you would find helpful.
As always, if you’re interested in cutting edge solutions to your compliance needs, contact us or request a demo today!
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The API Q1 Specification outlines the minimum quality management system requirements for organizations that manufacture products for the oil and gas industry. Q1 has been around for more than 20 years and has gone through several editions in that time. The ninth edition is right around the corner and its implementation will alter your organization’s compliance processes.
API Q1 9th edition expands the scope of previous publications by adding over 80 new clauses and 5 new sections. API recommends, that as a result of the vast changes, that the implementation time is a year from the publication date.
So, what does this mean for your organization?
The first step of the transition involves auditing. API will conduct audits based on the 8th edition up until November 2013 to allow your organization and any third parties to become familiar with the 9th edition. API realizes that implementation and training can drain time and resources. To reduce these impacts, they have provided organizations and interested parties 5 months to train personnel and become prepared.
The second step will begin in December of 2013. At this point, all audits will be done according to the 9th Edition of Q1. During this period any unusual findings will be marked as “concerns” and API will not follow up to ensure corrective actions have been taken. However, beginning March 1, 2014 any of these issues that remain unresolved will be marked as non-conformances.
The final phase takes effect in June of 2014 and requires conformance to the 9th edition and any nonconformities will be treated with appropriate penalties.
With these dates rapidly approaching, it is essential that you develop a plan to become compliant. If you do this properly, you can put the 9th edition transition in the rearview mirror and focus on core business operations.
To discuss how your organization can easily comply with API Q1 9th edition standards call Accupoint at 800-563-6250
API Q1 9th edition expands the scope of previous publications by adding over 80 new clauses and 5 new sections. API recommends, that as a result of the vast changes, that the implementation time is a year from the publication date.
So, what does this mean for your organization?
The first step of the transition involves auditing. API will conduct audits based on the 8th edition up until November 2013 to allow your organization and any third parties to become familiar with the 9th edition. API realizes that implementation and training can drain time and resources. To reduce these impacts, they have provided organizations and interested parties 5 months to train personnel and become prepared.
The second step will begin in December of 2013. At this point, all audits will be done according to the 9th Edition of Q1. During this period any unusual findings will be marked as “concerns” and API will not follow up to ensure corrective actions have been taken. However, beginning March 1, 2014 any of these issues that remain unresolved will be marked as non-conformances.
The final phase takes effect in June of 2014 and requires conformance to the 9th edition and any nonconformities will be treated with appropriate penalties.
With these dates rapidly approaching, it is essential that you develop a plan to become compliant. If you do this properly, you can put the 9th edition transition in the rearview mirror and focus on core business operations.
To discuss how your organization can easily comply with API Q1 9th edition standards call Accupoint at 800-563-6250
