NVP Software Solutions

Category: Quality Assurance Consulting

  • Selecting Software to run your business – 2

    As mentioned in the last blog, there is any number of packages that are available to do some or all of what you want the business to do. Whether that is to track Goods-in-Transit, Maintain Financial Records, Generate a Sales Catalogue, Create and send an email blast, Retain Customer Information, Track needed Repairs or Write a Document, there are many choices and all the choices have their advantages and disadvantages. Some are cheap, others expensive. Some provide functionality you will never use, others will leave you wishing the software did more.

    If you are facing this conundrum, there is a solution. There are methods to evaluate what you need, then to evaluate what is available and then to finally bring the two together to make a quantified decision about what to buy (or build).

    The high level process is:

      1. Survey all the areas in your organisation that will be affected by the new software.
      2. Document the stated requirements from each group and give them weights (example follows).
        • Must have = 5.

          • Note: Any technical requirements that cannot be changed are given a 5 or you can simply set them up as initial questions and remove anyone not matching them.

        • Should have = 4.
        • Nice to have = 3.
        • Minimal need = 2.
        • Unimportant = 1.
        • Not relevant = 0.
      3. Create a scorecard based on the above.
      4. Survey the existing tools (there are many sites on the internet).
      5. Select the top 4 and bring in the vendors for a demonstration.
      6. Fill in the scorecard.
      7. Bring in the two highest scorers for a more indepth presentation.
      8. Make your selection knowing with certainty that you have made the best choice.

      Now comes the more interesting part: Implementation. That is a subject for the next blog.

  • Selecting Software to run your business

    We recently spoke to a municipality about their current IT practices and came away with several interesting pieces of information that point to the probable future of a lot of the software industry. (more…)

  • No Tech Strategy Can Mean Big Problems For Your New Software Project

    Has your company just invested in a new software product? Did you purchase a new software tool in hopes that missed revenue would be captured? Perhaps you were hoping for process improvement in your everyday operations to help address productivity issues. Regardless of the reason, starting a company-changing technology project too fast can have long-lasting effects on your bottom line, your customer base, and your employees. More specifically, if you haven’t clearly defined the tech strategy for this new roll-out, this software project is destined to fail. (more…)

  • JobBOSS Certification under ISO 13485 and FDA QS 21 Parts 11 and 820

    Software like JobBOSS is an integral part of many shop processes.  While it may not be as ‘visible’ or ‘apparent’ in many situations, it is often key to scheduling, controling, recording, and maintaining many of the results of work completed in various shops.

    As a result, regulatory agencies like the FDA and ISO require proof that the software is in compliance with regulations like FDA Quality Systems regulation 21 Parts 11 and 820 and ISO 13485 if the products from the machine shop are used for registered industries.  Your surveillance audits, and the client audits that are requested by customers to ensure that the supplying shop is in compliance, may include the software such as JobBOSS.  The audit pertains to the actual use of the software in the shop, including installation, maintenance, and upgrade processes.  The auditor looks for proof of due diligence with regard to the above processes and requires proof from the audited organisation.  In software, this proof generally takes the form of screen shots showing unchanged behaviour in major functionality after upgrades have occurred, and various supporting reports and documents.  This constitutes a Quality Assurance program for the software.  The auditor examines these proofs and evidence of the Quality Assurance program to provide a Pass on the audit.

    If you have a concern about passing an audit for JobBOSS or have had an audit that has resulted in an NC rating, take a look at our service  to see what can be done and how it can help you pass an audit.  Contact us to follow up.

     

    NVP has generated and maintains a regression package for JobBOSS to help organisations pass the audit.  Since it is already built, the cost is restricted to customising it for your situation and gathering up the artifacts as proof.  The cost of updating is borne by NVP.

  • Let a Quality Assurance Manager Fix It

    Are you struggling with your company’s data management system? Are you and your team, customers or management frustrated with your processes? Are you having challenges delivering on time or scaling your sales cycle to realistic delivery dates? If you are losing customers, talent and credibility because you are struggling to manage your financial data, inventory, CRM data or other software that’s critical to your company’s success, it might be time to think about hiring an external Quality Assurance Manager. (more…)

  • Reduce Business Risk with QA

    The software your business relies on to operate successfully is crutial to the success of your company. Software RISK (a potential problem that may occur due to lack of information, control or time) is something that should be minimized wherever possible when it comes to your daily business operations.
    (more…)

  • Make Better Business Decisions With the Help of QA

    When it comes to your company’s inventory management system and financials, is your information readily available so you can make key business decisions (with confidence)? If you can’t easily and honestly answer yes – perhaps it’s time to look at the process(es) with which you and your company manage data. This data could include monthly sales figures, accounts payable/ receivables, sales management data, purchase order tracking, contact database, employee information and more. (more…)