Just about any of today’s ERP systems will have a quality management component included. Set up properly, they provide a source of data to satisfy the needs of your business and the needs of your customers. But used incorrectly, an ERP quality module can throw a wrench into the works.
The alligator wrench is mostly a curiosity today – not of any current value. Your quality module can quickly become useless too and one sure way is to fill it up with data that no one needs or wants. Just because you can easily collect data doesn’t mean you should. What is important to your processes? What does your customer ask and pay for? Be sure you can collect that data and stop there.
The adjustable wrench is an important unit in anyone’s toolkit. You turn the little thumb wheel and the jaw opens wider. Be sure your ERP quality system is adjustable. Set things up to meet today’s needs. Be prepared for tomorrow’s needs too. What will your next customer want? What recommendations will come from ISO next year?
Your box wrench fits exactly on a fastener. Whatever the size, 12 mm, ¾ inch, there is a wrench that fits perfectly. But use that ¾ inch tool on an 11/16 bolt and what happens? The corners of the bolt wear down and you are stuck. Something similar happens when you use the same quality measures for every purpose. A highly automated machine-driven process and a one-time developmental, individual process both should have a quality measurement but they won’t be the same. Go back to the store and buy the 11/16 wrench you need.
Your business needs to be flexible and scalable. You need to ratchet up and down with speed and agility to meet today’s requirements. Your ratchet wrench will turn that fastener quickly and with a flip of the switch will turn it just as quickly and easily the other way.
When your business is humming along and your customers and employees are happy, you hear the machinery clicking into place. Your torque wrench has a similar click when you turned that fastener just right. Think of changing a tire on your car. There is an exact spec for tightening your alloy wheels. Use the torque wrench. Take the wheel off with the lug wrench that came with the car. Use the right tool and your ERP and your business works well. Use the wrong tool or use the right tool in the wrong way and you know what will happen – the business works badly or even comes to a stop.