Manufacturers choose to track product genealogy within a quality management solution to improve the outcome of their finished goods. Managers are able to gain complete visibility into the production of every part, sub-assembly, and final assembly to help identify quality issues before they become a problem.
Product genealogy tracks important manufacturing information such as raw materials, equipment used, inspection results, dates, quantities, lot numbers and serial numbers, including those products supplied by vendors. The information collected though the product genealogy process can be used to measure quality output at each manufacturing stage against the intended product specifications.
Product genealogy is powerful information that can be used to improve overall quality, increase efficiencies and provide the following benefits:
Comprehensive Product Documentation
Tracking product genealogy within a quality management system increases confidence that comprehensive records will be electronically maintained for audit readiness. Complete traceability can be obtained with a documented audit trail for all material, parts and finished products. Quality records include associated as-built/as-maintained configuration records and nonconformance dispositioning. A digital thread of historical production data is maintained within the system.
Improved Quality Tracking
Manufacturers are able to track custom specifications for a particular product or component and can assign various levels of control over a specific product, lot, shipment or customer. Unique identifiers can be used to track a specific product requirement.
Fewer Product Defects & Product Recalls
Effective parts management reduces risk and provides a vehicle to track, recall and dispose of any suspect item. With the ability to track back a product to its raw material, problems can be quickly identified and rework can often be avoided. This improved visibility reduces the number of recalls or warranty claims a company would otherwise have to process.
Helps Maintain Regulatory Compliance
Manufacturers can use a quality management solution to configure their quality processes to facilitate compliance and regulatory requirements. Standards can be managed within a quality management system to facilitate conformity throughout the entire product lifecycle. In a rapidly evolving regulatory environment, this proves invaluable. Industry standards such as ISO, DFARS, and AS9100D can be easily referenced and validated within the system, eliminating audit concerns.
Streamlines Shop Floor Operations
With access to real-time product lifecycle information, managers are able to make better business decisions. The production process is automated at each stage ensuring a workflow that focuses on quality and saves valuable time on the shop floor.
Holds Suppliers Accountable
Product genealogy helps holds vendors accountable to quality standards. Use of lot and serial numbers can quickly identify points of failure. Visibility into key supplier metrics at each stage of the product lifecycle promote continuous improvement. Manufacturers can associate first-tier suppliers to their sub-tier suppliers for improved traceability.
Improved Customer Satisfaction
Manufacturers can rest easy knowing that the product quality lifecycle is being closely monitored. Fewer product defects and recalls result in fewer customer complaints and higher overall quality improves overall customer satisfaction.
Effective tracking of product genealogy can help your organization in many ways. For companies in highly regulated industries, it is vitally important to maintain component level traceability and comprehensive product lifecycle records. TIP Technologies can help companies reach this sophisticated level of quality. Its TIPQA Quality Management Solution will track the quality of all manufactured and supplied parts to ensure the highest industry standards are met.
Contact TIP Technologies today for a demo of our TIPQA Quality Management Solution.