Articles - Manufacturing Quality Control Software - Because your profit is on the bottom line...

Articles

Guideline for Selecting Data Collection Software

Data collection software is an essential tool for gathering and managing endless streams of data. Here's what to look for in a top quality data collection system.

There’s little doubt that data collection software is an extremely important tool for helping companies gain optimum efficiency in their manufacturing operations. It helps gather and manage flow of data, reduce human error and streamline processes, just to name a few of its benefits. But what constitutes quality data collection software?

That’s the question an article in the September issue of Quality Magazine tries to answer. “The Fundamentals of Data Collection” offers a primer on the elements of well-designed data collection software. Not surprisingly, DataNet Quality Systems was prominently featured in the article.

The article stresses that data collection drives the decision-making process for all companies. And, obviously, the quality of the decisions is directly related to the quality of the data being collected.

The main point of a data collection system is to automate the flow of data and to eliminate the potential for human error, which entails eliminating all “questions for human operators.”  This requires a data collection system that is easy to use for shop-floor operators yet flexible enough to be adapted to a manufacturer’s existing equipment.

Beena Anand, a Six Sigma Black Belt quality engineer at DataNet, explains in the article that any data collection system should be able to perform two vital functions: seamlessly collect data from any source or device and directly load the data into a computer system.

Anand notes that DataNet offers real-time software that collects and charts data automatically from virtually any shop-floor source, including serial devices, text files, machines, gages, databases and other manufacturing systems.

“It is possible to directly hook those (sources and devices) to computers and pick up data directly,” Anand says. That capability allows companies to not only gather and manage data in real time but trace it as well.

“Almost every manufacturer wants to track things, whether you are making tires for cars or medicine for people.”

A key advantage of DataNet’s real-time data collection software is that it allows manufacturers to view essential data on product recalls and the cost of quality.

Just as important, DataNet’s software easily integrates with enterprise systems, such as SAP and Oracle.

To read "The Fundamentals of Data Collection", visit: http://www.qualitymag.com/Articles/Feature_Article/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000409862.
 
Quality Control Products SPC Software Applications Why Use WinSPC? SPC Information