Apriso Launches Industry’s First Quality Execution System

Designed for Better Alignment and Extended Performance of ERP-based Quality Modules

LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apriso Corporation, a provider of adaptive software platforms for global operations execution, today announced an innovative breakthrough in functionality of their FlexNet® Quality application – the industry’s first Quality program capable of performing purely as an execution application, or as a Quality Execution System (QES). This application enhancement provides manufacturers a viable alternative to purchasing third party Quality Management Systems (QMS), which can often be challenging to integrate with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) applications because of overlapping business processes, incompatible quality plans and data collection activities. Apriso’s FlexNet QES was designed instead to complement existing functionality within ERP systems provided by vendors such as SAP, Microsoft, Oracle or Infor Global Systems.

Few will argue the importance of an effective quality assurance program to achieve global manufacturing excellence – the challenge lies in how to effectively design, execute and administer such a program. One approach has been to purchase a third party QMS to provide planning, execution and reporting on overall product quality. The problem with this approach is that many existing quality management functions within ERP systems already perform most of these tasks, so any benefits from a QMS implementation are reduced through a duplication of efforts and data reconciliation issues.

Quality Execution Systems recognize that ERP applications are designed as centralized data repositories, providing a global view of corporate performance, customer interactions and order status while supporting Quality Assurance (QA) planning efforts best performed at the corporate level. Best-in-class manufacturers have demonstrated that quality execution is best performed as an embedded process – not as loosely linked activities – within production, maintenance and warehouse operations. Apriso’s QES has a built in feedback loop, relaying quality metrics back into the ERP master data set, where it can be analyzed and acted upon using global performance criterion that are consistent across all locations and operations processes. By complementing the built-in strengths of an ERP system, QES programs avoid redundancies, leveraging the built-in benefits of ERP applications to yield a timelier implementation and less resource-intensive execution.

“Most organizations are still ill prepared to implement true enterprise quality policies, metrics and management architectures, having dealt with quality for so long as a bolt-on versus an integral element of core business processes,” states Simon Jacobson, Alison Smith and Colin Mason in the August 31, 2006 AMR Research article entitled Manufacturing Snapshot 2006: Quality Management Gets Elevated to Strategic Importance. “…new quality processes require a tighter linkage with the enterprise applications that are coordinating supply and demand—as well as product design—to close the feedback loop between what the organization plans to manufacture and what the end result becomes.”

Enhancing ERP Investment

Combining a Quality Execution System with an existing ERP deployment can provide manufacturers with considerable advantages, when compared to purchasing a stand alone QMS product, which must then be integrated to ERP. To start, QES offers a paperless user interface across all operations, providing a streamlined process for an automated and documented audit trail. Apriso’s embedded QES system is designed to be part of a comprehensive operations execution strategy, providing a high degree of granular data, real-time access to operations processes with sufficient adaptability to support unplanned or exception QA activities.

Apriso’s FlexNet QES extends the Return on Investment (ROI) of an ERP system by providing greater visibility and control across all operations tasks associated with an overall Quality Assurance program, from the boardroom down to the shop floor. FlexNet Quality is designed to execute and administer quality programs throughout the enterprise, including those related to supply chain, production, logistics and maintenance processes. With embedded integration points from its Business-process and Service-oriented Architecture (SOA), FlexNet Quality facilitates an easy transfer of quality metrics to and from an ERP system for complete, enterprise-wide visibility of quality programs.

“This product was developed as a direct response to repeated customer requests, indicative of how quality programs are such a critical component within today’s manufacturing model,” stated Tom Comstock, senior vice president product management at Apriso. “With growing globalization and intense regulatory compliance pressures, industry-leading manufacturers recognize that higher quality production with complete genealogy and traceability can address both regulatory and lean manufacturing initiatives, pulling costs out of the production process while addressing compliance requirements cost effectively.”

About FlexNet Quality (QES)

FlexNet Quality is a software application that tracks issues and actions – from identification through disposition and corrective action – while managing defects, safety issues, supplier quality and audit findings. Available as an industry pioneering Quality Execution System (QES), FlexNet Quality is designed to effortlessly adapt to any manufacturing environment – from small, single sites to large, global, multi-site operations. Designed to integrate rapidly, seamlessly and selectively with existing enterprise systems, FlexNet Quality extends the value of an ERP investment by expanding visibility, providing complete traceability and executing quality processes throughout the manufacturing environment. The FlexNet Quality system facilitates timely resolution of regulatory requirements while containing the cost and scope of a product recall, should it occur. FlexNet QES was specifically designed, and is particularly well suited for manufacturers within the Aerospace & Defense, Automobile and Life Sciences industries.

About Apriso

Apriso Corporation is a software company dedicated to providing competitive advantage for its customers. It does so by enabling organizations to adapt quickly and easily to market changes and unexpected events. Apriso’s FlexNet platform provides visibility, adaptability and real-time control of manufacturing operations across the enterprise and supply chain network. This is accomplished by integrating planning, execution and control, increasing operational efficiency and eliminating errors in the production process. Apriso serves more than 150 customers in 40 countries across the Americas, Europe and Asia, powering more than 550 installations worldwide. Its customers include General Motors, Lear, Honeywell, Microsoft, L'Oreal, Lockheed Martin, Becton Dickinson, Rubbermaid, Saint-Gobain, Novelis and Essilor.

Apriso and FlexNet are registered trademarks of Apriso Corporation. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.