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For any business, the more efficient your business processes are, the lower your business costs will be. Identifying the appropriate corrective actions not only eliminates poor practices, it also ensures that your business is in compliance with applicable API standards.
There are many reasons why corrective actions become necessary. Those reasons can include process issues, customer complaints, or improper training among other things. Effective corrective actions should be informed by data that is gathered throughout the productions cycle. The most effective way to gather this data is through the utilization of software. Through automation, it will be easier to see process dependencies that may not be apparent if each stage and its supporting processes were looked at individually. This approach eliminates the likelihood that a corrective action in the production process has a negative impact on processes that follow it, like packaging and shipping.
Choosing comprehensive quality management software that includes data collection for corrective actions will help ensure that your micro decisions are made with considerations for the macro business environment. The software should also allow you to quickly gather information to assess the impact of corrective actions to make ongoing changes rapidly if needed. And, the software should have functionality to generate real-time reports to support recommended corrective actions to win company buy-in.
Accupoint Software empowers companies to make optimal decisions to improve productivity and drive more efficient operational procedures. For more information on how Accupoint can help you manage your corrective and preventative action programs, visit www.accupointsoftware.com or call us at 800.563.6250.
There are many reasons why corrective actions become necessary. Those reasons can include process issues, customer complaints, or improper training among other things. Effective corrective actions should be informed by data that is gathered throughout the productions cycle. The most effective way to gather this data is through the utilization of software. Through automation, it will be easier to see process dependencies that may not be apparent if each stage and its supporting processes were looked at individually. This approach eliminates the likelihood that a corrective action in the production process has a negative impact on processes that follow it, like packaging and shipping.
Choosing comprehensive quality management software that includes data collection for corrective actions will help ensure that your micro decisions are made with considerations for the macro business environment. The software should also allow you to quickly gather information to assess the impact of corrective actions to make ongoing changes rapidly if needed. And, the software should have functionality to generate real-time reports to support recommended corrective actions to win company buy-in.
Accupoint Software empowers companies to make optimal decisions to improve productivity and drive more efficient operational procedures. For more information on how Accupoint can help you manage your corrective and preventative action programs, visit www.accupointsoftware.com or call us at 800.563.6250.
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Managing documents is a crucial part of every business. It affects workflow, efficiency and your bottom line. A company lacking a proper system for handling documents is at risk of making devastating mistakes. Here are three keys to effective document management.
Single location
An effective system compiles all documents in a single location. They are well-organized and easily accessible from various devices. The search options are very important. You must be able to find the necessary documents. Having a centralized archive of all data is the best way to avoid losing vital information.
Classification
In order to remain organized, your documents must be classified into specific categories. Consider how you group and label these items. Make sure everyone with access to the data understands the classification procedure. It should be clear and concise to avoid confusion. Improperly filed documents create chaos.
Integration
This is a top priority. Businesses today use many different applications and platforms for creating documents. Your archive management system must incorporate all the various types. If your business uses certain document types which are not compatible, you must either switch platforms or implement an entirely new integration system. Either way, it is of great significance that you have a properly functioning system for integrating all document types
Managing documents within a business is too important to overlook. It is a primary consideration in order for a company to perform at optimal levels. If your current system is not working, rework it immediately. It may seem like an overwhelming task but it is a necessity. Once everything is in place and all employees are on the same page, you have a seamless system in which to work efficiently and effectively.
For more information on how Accupoint can help to streamline your document management system, please visit our website or contact us to schedule a demonstration.
Single location
An effective system compiles all documents in a single location. They are well-organized and easily accessible from various devices. The search options are very important. You must be able to find the necessary documents. Having a centralized archive of all data is the best way to avoid losing vital information.
Classification
In order to remain organized, your documents must be classified into specific categories. Consider how you group and label these items. Make sure everyone with access to the data understands the classification procedure. It should be clear and concise to avoid confusion. Improperly filed documents create chaos.
Integration
This is a top priority. Businesses today use many different applications and platforms for creating documents. Your archive management system must incorporate all the various types. If your business uses certain document types which are not compatible, you must either switch platforms or implement an entirely new integration system. Either way, it is of great significance that you have a properly functioning system for integrating all document types
Managing documents within a business is too important to overlook. It is a primary consideration in order for a company to perform at optimal levels. If your current system is not working, rework it immediately. It may seem like an overwhelming task but it is a necessity. Once everything is in place and all employees are on the same page, you have a seamless system in which to work efficiently and effectively.
For more information on how Accupoint can help to streamline your document management system, please visit our website or contact us to schedule a demonstration.
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Procedures are extremely important in any business. Not only do they help tell employees how and why a task is completed in a certain manner, but they can also help show that the company is compliant in regards to regulations as well. For this reason, having proper procedure management is a must in any business.
When it comes to procedures, there are a few things that auditors will look for first. For example, auditors will look to determine if the procedure was put through the proper approval process. Also, auditors will look to see if a system is in place that can objectively review a procedure. In order for businesses to answer these questions, proper documentation must be gathered.
One of the most difficult things about procedure management is keeping track of documentation. Since there are many ways that employees can correspond with one another, there are many documents that may surface in the process of developing and maintaining a procedure.
For example, while email correspondence may be available for one procedure, physical, paper documents may be available for another. Because of this, many companies choose to rely on specific software to keep track of all the documents related to the procedure process. Through this software, auditing procedures is a much simpler process.
Software can also benefit a company because it provides the ability to store procedures in a convenient location. Not only will this help to streamline the audit process, but it will also help ensure that procedures will be completed as directed.
To learn more about Accupoint’s comprehensive procedures management and document control functionality, contact us www.accupointsoftware.com or call us toll-free at 800.563.6250 to arrange for a platform demonstration.
When it comes to procedures, there are a few things that auditors will look for first. For example, auditors will look to determine if the procedure was put through the proper approval process. Also, auditors will look to see if a system is in place that can objectively review a procedure. In order for businesses to answer these questions, proper documentation must be gathered.
One of the most difficult things about procedure management is keeping track of documentation. Since there are many ways that employees can correspond with one another, there are many documents that may surface in the process of developing and maintaining a procedure.
For example, while email correspondence may be available for one procedure, physical, paper documents may be available for another. Because of this, many companies choose to rely on specific software to keep track of all the documents related to the procedure process. Through this software, auditing procedures is a much simpler process.
Software can also benefit a company because it provides the ability to store procedures in a convenient location. Not only will this help to streamline the audit process, but it will also help ensure that procedures will be completed as directed.
To learn more about Accupoint’s comprehensive procedures management and document control functionality, contact us www.accupointsoftware.com or call us toll-free at 800.563.6250 to arrange for a platform demonstration.
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As a professional within the oil and gas industries, your ultimate goal is to provide safe, reliable, and high-quality products and services to your customers. As you strive to consistently achieve this goal, you already know you need to control risk throughout your processes. You are a competitive leader within your industry, so you also know the value of quality standards and compliance. So what procedure does the API Spec Q2 standard mandate in order to achieve compliance?
According to the standard, “the organization shall maintain a documented procedure to control risk throughout the execution of service.” There’s four main components that your procedure should include, so as you develop your procedure, you’ll want to:
1. Identify potential or real risks associated with your company’s services
2. Recognize and use risk management tools and techniques
3. Choose, communicate, and implement preventive control measures to reduce and/or avoid risk exposure
4. Have a plan to alert your customer of any remaining risk (potential or real) that could impact your service to them
Lastly, you’ll want to ensure you keep records of your assessment and any associated actions taken as a result of your process. Risk assessment is an active means of facing and dealing with quality-related challenges and doesn’t need to be complicated. It’s been said that great success requires great risks, but that doesn’t mean sacrificing safety, quality or service. For more information on how Accupoint’s solutions can help you develop your risk assessment and management procedures, visit www.accupointsoftware.com or call us at (800) 563-6250.
According to the standard, “the organization shall maintain a documented procedure to control risk throughout the execution of service.” There’s four main components that your procedure should include, so as you develop your procedure, you’ll want to:
1. Identify potential or real risks associated with your company’s services
2. Recognize and use risk management tools and techniques
3. Choose, communicate, and implement preventive control measures to reduce and/or avoid risk exposure
4. Have a plan to alert your customer of any remaining risk (potential or real) that could impact your service to them
Lastly, you’ll want to ensure you keep records of your assessment and any associated actions taken as a result of your process. Risk assessment is an active means of facing and dealing with quality-related challenges and doesn’t need to be complicated. It’s been said that great success requires great risks, but that doesn’t mean sacrificing safety, quality or service. For more information on how Accupoint’s solutions can help you develop your risk assessment and management procedures, visit www.accupointsoftware.com or call us at (800) 563-6250.
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As a member of a thriving, successful company, it’s logical to assume you have a proactive plan prepared for emergencies or unexpected events. It’s also reasonable to assume that you have proper documentation to ensure that your team knows what to do when the unexpected happens.
API Spec Q2 issues the directive that in order to remain in compliance with the standard, service organizations must have a contingency plan in place and must have the procedure expressly documented for this purpose. The standard also states, “The procedure shall include incident and disruption prevention and mitigation measures.” So your plan must be pre-emptive and include modified processes to implement when the need arises.
Have you tested your alternate plans to ensure they’re realistic? Do the members of your organization know about the plan? The standard requires that they do as well as your suppliers and customers.
Behind every standard is a logical, practical reason for its existence. The common elements are safety, productivity, and efficiency. So, when you drill it down to those terms, why wouldn’t you want to be in compliance? Having an up-to-date contingency planning in place—and making sure everyone knows about it— is a win/win business practice for you, your team, suppliers, and customers.
Managing these contingency plans is just as important as developing them. The best way to manage these plans is to store them within a reliable and accessible system. Accupoint offers solutions that allow you to effectively manage your important documents and retrieve them on a moment’s notice.
Remember, the one certainty we can count on is change, Are you ready?
For more information on how Accupoint’s solutions can help you manage your contingency plans, visit www.accupointsoftware.com or call us at (800) 563-6250.
API Spec Q2 issues the directive that in order to remain in compliance with the standard, service organizations must have a contingency plan in place and must have the procedure expressly documented for this purpose. The standard also states, “The procedure shall include incident and disruption prevention and mitigation measures.” So your plan must be pre-emptive and include modified processes to implement when the need arises.
Have you tested your alternate plans to ensure they’re realistic? Do the members of your organization know about the plan? The standard requires that they do as well as your suppliers and customers.
Behind every standard is a logical, practical reason for its existence. The common elements are safety, productivity, and efficiency. So, when you drill it down to those terms, why wouldn’t you want to be in compliance? Having an up-to-date contingency planning in place—and making sure everyone knows about it— is a win/win business practice for you, your team, suppliers, and customers.
Managing these contingency plans is just as important as developing them. The best way to manage these plans is to store them within a reliable and accessible system. Accupoint offers solutions that allow you to effectively manage your important documents and retrieve them on a moment’s notice.
Remember, the one certainty we can count on is change, Are you ready?
For more information on how Accupoint’s solutions can help you manage your contingency plans, visit www.accupointsoftware.com or call us at (800) 563-6250.
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Manufacturing today has come a long way in ensuring quality product is going out to their customers. Both manufacturers and service supply organizations are expected to maintain high quality standards. This is especially true in the petroleum and natural gas industries. By implementing our up to date compliance solutions, one can be assured of attaining and maintaining this goal. Whether you are a small company or large, global or local, we have the solution for you.
A lot of changes have been made in the petroleum and natural gas industries; new standards have been set and by using our Quality Management System you can stay ahead of the pack. With an effective Quality Management System in place, you assure your customers that everything is being done to produce the highest quality product. It is a competitive field; you need to show your customers, you can give them what they need to stay on top.
You will find Accupoint's compliance solutions are easy to integrate with all of your customers’ requirements into one simple cloud based program that can be accessed from anywhere. PC, smart phone, tablet, its there! Whether in the office or on the run, everything you need is at your fingertips. Keeping up to date with any changes is important in maintaining high standards; with alerts and email notifications you can ensure costly mistakes are avoided. So, next time someone says "get your head out of the clouds" tell them you're working, in the cloud.
Please contact us and request a demo. We are more than happy to demonstrate what we have, and how our compliance solutions can help your business.
A lot of changes have been made in the petroleum and natural gas industries; new standards have been set and by using our Quality Management System you can stay ahead of the pack. With an effective Quality Management System in place, you assure your customers that everything is being done to produce the highest quality product. It is a competitive field; you need to show your customers, you can give them what they need to stay on top.
You will find Accupoint's compliance solutions are easy to integrate with all of your customers’ requirements into one simple cloud based program that can be accessed from anywhere. PC, smart phone, tablet, its there! Whether in the office or on the run, everything you need is at your fingertips. Keeping up to date with any changes is important in maintaining high standards; with alerts and email notifications you can ensure costly mistakes are avoided. So, next time someone says "get your head out of the clouds" tell them you're working, in the cloud.
Please contact us and request a demo. We are more than happy to demonstrate what we have, and how our compliance solutions can help your business.
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Despite the bitterly cold and blistering winter the Eastern Seaboard has just fought through, the mild and almost non-existent winter of the West Coast has the US using 30 percent less natural gas than we did last year. And now according to The Fiscal Times, "there is over 1,470 billion cubic feet of natural gas in storage." With the peak season over, improved natural gas pipelines, and this increase in supply, the US is experiencing the lowest price for natural gas in three years.
The improved pipeline situation is a result of new pipelines, and older ones being re-purposed, making it easier to get the gas where it needs to go at a fraction of the cost, and ultimately driving down the end price as well. The US Energy Information Administration claims, "The US natural gas pipeline network is a highly integrated transmission and distribution grid that transports natural gas to and from anywhere in the continental US. The grid is comprised of more than 210 natural gas pipeline systems, over 300 thousand miles of interstate and intrastate transmission pipelines, more than 11 thousand delivery points, 24 market centers or hubs, and 400 underground natural gas storage facilities."
It's likely that natural gas drillers, coal mining companies, and coal plant owners will be the hardest hit by the low prices, and will have to make strong and effective decisions to improve their operations in order to absorb some of the lost revenue. While consumers, and utilities that own their own power plants will come out ahead. It will be imperative for drilling companies to increase their productivity by deploying advanced technology, more efficient equipment, and smarter operating software systems. The natural gas industry certainly isn't going anywhere, and will come out of the price plummet situation more streamlined, effective, and prosperous. Please contact us today to increase your competitive edge with comprehensive quality management solutions that are designed to help companies optimize decision-making capabilities, and improve their bottom line while offering a flexible, cloud-based platform.
The improved pipeline situation is a result of new pipelines, and older ones being re-purposed, making it easier to get the gas where it needs to go at a fraction of the cost, and ultimately driving down the end price as well. The US Energy Information Administration claims, "The US natural gas pipeline network is a highly integrated transmission and distribution grid that transports natural gas to and from anywhere in the continental US. The grid is comprised of more than 210 natural gas pipeline systems, over 300 thousand miles of interstate and intrastate transmission pipelines, more than 11 thousand delivery points, 24 market centers or hubs, and 400 underground natural gas storage facilities."
It's likely that natural gas drillers, coal mining companies, and coal plant owners will be the hardest hit by the low prices, and will have to make strong and effective decisions to improve their operations in order to absorb some of the lost revenue. While consumers, and utilities that own their own power plants will come out ahead. It will be imperative for drilling companies to increase their productivity by deploying advanced technology, more efficient equipment, and smarter operating software systems. The natural gas industry certainly isn't going anywhere, and will come out of the price plummet situation more streamlined, effective, and prosperous. Please contact us today to increase your competitive edge with comprehensive quality management solutions that are designed to help companies optimize decision-making capabilities, and improve their bottom line while offering a flexible, cloud-based platform.
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Making sure your business is API Specification Q1 compliant is the first step in receiving your API Spec Q1 certification. Using a web-based technology to ensure that you are replicating quality management systems across all departments and personnel makes it easier to earn and maintain your certification.
How are you currently tracking your company’s performance against the Q1 requirements? If it’s all on paper and not computer-based, you run the risk of missing opportunities to document and standardize business practices to meet the standards. A web-based software simplifies tracking compliance and building it into organizational processes. And, because it’s web-based, there’s no need to purchase or maintain complicated hardware. Rolling out your new system does not need to be time consuming or hard.
When selecting a software, choose one that easily integrates with your existing technology infrastructure and applications. In today’s wired world, it’s also important to select a tool that is compatible with and accessible from your mobile devices. Being able to access the program and receive alerts and email notifications wherever you are minimizes the likelihood that critical updates will be missed or received late.
Because no two businesses are the same, the software must be flexible enough to customize. Being able to report against your metrics and key performance indicators improves organizational visibility. That visibility reduces the cost of effective quality control and constrained resources. And, it will allow your company to achieve higher customer satisfaction rates and shorter lifecycles for new product launches.
The benefits of API Specification Q1 compliance are clear. To make meeting the standard easier, contact us for a demo.
How are you currently tracking your company’s performance against the Q1 requirements? If it’s all on paper and not computer-based, you run the risk of missing opportunities to document and standardize business practices to meet the standards. A web-based software simplifies tracking compliance and building it into organizational processes. And, because it’s web-based, there’s no need to purchase or maintain complicated hardware. Rolling out your new system does not need to be time consuming or hard.
When selecting a software, choose one that easily integrates with your existing technology infrastructure and applications. In today’s wired world, it’s also important to select a tool that is compatible with and accessible from your mobile devices. Being able to access the program and receive alerts and email notifications wherever you are minimizes the likelihood that critical updates will be missed or received late.
Because no two businesses are the same, the software must be flexible enough to customize. Being able to report against your metrics and key performance indicators improves organizational visibility. That visibility reduces the cost of effective quality control and constrained resources. And, it will allow your company to achieve higher customer satisfaction rates and shorter lifecycles for new product launches.
The benefits of API Specification Q1 compliance are clear. To make meeting the standard easier, contact us for a demo.
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Compliance is a major issue facing many businesses. This is especially true for organizations in the oil & natural gas industry. In today’s competitive environment, a Quality Management System (QMS) is an absolute prerequisite for manufacturing and service supply organizations. If your business is facing the increasing pressure for API compliance, or you are trying to maintain and grow your business in the current downturn, you need to integrate a cloud based QMS solution to compete with current regulatory and customer demands.
Quality is Competitive
Although many businesses look for quality management programs to merely meet compliance, the ideal solution for your business will make you more competitive, as well as compliant. Well-managed information is essential to compete in any industry, and quality management software's primary goal is to manage your information so that it is understandable and accessible by key players, wherever they may be.
From real-time reports to accurate understanding of KPIs, a quality management system takes the guesswork out of decision-making. Accurate and up-to-date information enables swift action on the part of your employees and management while limiting variation and surprises. With proper analytics and information management, your business can increase quality, cut costs and build a competitive edge.
Integrate: Platforms, Users, and Locations
In the global economy, businesses are finding new ways to integrate people, technologies, and locations. With multiple locations or employees working in the field, there are multiple touch-points which your software needs to cover. Whether you have global manufacturing facilities or local repair technicians, both require that you manage jobs locally, and integrate with the entire organization via cloud based technologies.
Competition is Demanding
Your software solutions must not only integrate across your organization, and enable you to compete within your industry, but also produce a quality management system which facilitates environmental, health and safety, and other regulatory compliance.
Quality management has long been a bastion of the well-run business, but with the increasing customer and regulatory demands and to increase your competitive edge, your business needs to have a complete quality management system. Accupoint Software specializes in providing these solutions to businesses, contact us for more information about our comprehensive solutions to manage API requirements.
Quality is Competitive
Although many businesses look for quality management programs to merely meet compliance, the ideal solution for your business will make you more competitive, as well as compliant. Well-managed information is essential to compete in any industry, and quality management software's primary goal is to manage your information so that it is understandable and accessible by key players, wherever they may be.
From real-time reports to accurate understanding of KPIs, a quality management system takes the guesswork out of decision-making. Accurate and up-to-date information enables swift action on the part of your employees and management while limiting variation and surprises. With proper analytics and information management, your business can increase quality, cut costs and build a competitive edge.
Integrate: Platforms, Users, and Locations
In the global economy, businesses are finding new ways to integrate people, technologies, and locations. With multiple locations or employees working in the field, there are multiple touch-points which your software needs to cover. Whether you have global manufacturing facilities or local repair technicians, both require that you manage jobs locally, and integrate with the entire organization via cloud based technologies.
Competition is Demanding
Your software solutions must not only integrate across your organization, and enable you to compete within your industry, but also produce a quality management system which facilitates environmental, health and safety, and other regulatory compliance.
Quality management has long been a bastion of the well-run business, but with the increasing customer and regulatory demands and to increase your competitive edge, your business needs to have a complete quality management system. Accupoint Software specializes in providing these solutions to businesses, contact us for more information about our comprehensive solutions to manage API requirements.
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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.
