Supplier Management Software

Figure: QISS Supplier Management Software Workflow

QISS Supplier Management Software

Supplier Management Software System manages every supplier quality data and documentation in one place. It automatically tracks and stores audit findings and other supplier information. Also, it simplifies supplier qualification and supplier corrective action request processes.

This writing will discuss a Supplier Management Software System of an ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standard-based quality management software QISS.

The QISS Supplier Management Module is the state-of-the-art supply chain management system to use in relation to a company’s quality management system.

The Supplier Management Module features an extensive database system capable of handling a vast and varied amount of supplier data, including materials supplied and financial information. Global suppliers can be added to make them visible in all locations.

Specification for supplied materials can be defined elaborately using multiple levels. It means that a particular material can be organized in a hierarchical manner. Example: Tubes can have a subordinate level based on the material that the tube is made of, such as steel, copper, plastic, etc. Below this could be another level based on Diameters, and so on. They can also include information such as an approved supplier or preferred supplier for a material or product.

How does QISS software help an organization manage its supply chain?

Suppliers are allowed to access QISS through the supplier portal. They can complete questionnaires directly in QISS, which in turn allows faster approval and on-boarding. Besides, supplier certification information is kept, and reminders are generated in the event of certification expiration. Audit reports can be uploaded, and Supplier scorecards can also be included.

An operational advantage is for the QISS users to issue Non-conformance, Corrective Action notices to supplier representatives, who can perform required actions. It can be monitored if desired by QISS users to ensure satisfactory and compliant processes are followed while they are being actioned.

Another powerful function is its dedicated search engine that allows for not only a simple search by account numbers or the like but a systematic and detailed search. This capability allows the user to “drill down” into supplier data to allow the user to make the best purchase choice.

Use of the Supplier Management Module can create a readily available supply chain database that allows the user to pinpoint particular procurement actions, as required by their business needs.

The Supplier Management Module allows a supplier to have multiple supply sites listed under the parent company’s corporate designation. Additionally, a user can search by several modalities, including site, location, materials supplied, or a specific type of certification (ISO, API, etc.).

The QISS Supplier Management Module allows users to keep all of their Supplier certification data and questionnaires in one place while linking Audits, NCRs & CAPAs to the Supplier records for ease of analysis and ranking.

In addition to being an excellent business investment, the QISS Supplier module is a valuable tool for Compliance in highly regulated industries, such as API, Aerospace, and FDA Regulated industries.

What is the QISS Supplier Management System?

The QISS Supplier Management Module is the state-of-the-art supply chain management system to use in relation to a company’s quality management system.

It is a complete and comprehensive tool for a company to use that ensures the best possible performance of suppliers across multiple supplier locations on a global basis. Large user companies can use this globally, while stand-alone single location companies can get the most out of their supply chain from their location.

How does the QISS Supplier Management System work?

The QISS Supplier module is designed for the user to create and manage supplier information in one powerful system. The module can be used as a single location site model or a global system for organizations who may have multiple locations or do business on a global scale.

The module provides a work-flow that the user can set-up to document and monitor all supplier information and supplier inventory. Supplier information can be for a single location supplier or a supplier with multiple sites over a large geographic area. The module provides the ability to load data on materials purchased from suppliers, information on inventory materials, and availability. The data can be as detailed as is preferred by the user.

The module has four levels of supplied materials that allow the user to drill-down for specific materials. The information can be updated by the supplier directly into the module for up-to-date availability information.

The module also can send performance evaluations for grading the performance history of a given supplier or supplier site.

Why does the QISS Supplier Management System matter?

The QISS Supplier module is a very powerful and effective quality tool for managing supplier relationships. The ability to document not only contact and purchasing information, but the user can also create detailed data on materials that various suppliers have on-hand and track historical purchasing patterns by the organization. The user will be able to drill-down into a supplier’s inventory and keep detailed records on material availability and cost. The user can create supplier sites for multiple locations of a parent supplier for the most effective purchasing options that are available to the organization. In addition, the module provides the ability to send supplier evaluations and track the responses for grading supplier effectiveness.

It provides a process that will strengthen an organization’s overall productivity and meet ISO standards’ requirements related to supplier relationships. The above summary of the QISS- Supplier module shows how using this system can give you an advantage over your competition.

Benefits of QISS Supplier Management System

• Ability to add supplier, supplier sites, and representatives
• Local and global suppliers
• Ability to add questionnaires, audit reports, brochures, catalogs, the scope of approval, certifications, and scorecards to supplier sites
• Ability to specify vendor status
• Ability to set email notifications for expired certifications
• Ability to link supplier documents from QISS Document Control modules; ensuring that your supplier is using the latest revision
• Ability to create supplier survey for a particular supplier
• Ability to do the supplier audit using QISS Audit module
• Ability to get the Approved Vendor List (AVL)
• Ability to categorize products supplied by a supplier site into multiple levels
• Association of corporate buyers to the group of sites
• Ability to specify approved and preferred supplier tags to products
• Ability to differentiate treatment of suppliers according to their status of being “Critical” or not.
• Ability filter out suppliers, sites, and representatives according to specified search criteria
• Ability to assign NCR and CAR to supplier representative, directly from your NC or CAR module
• Supplier’s representative can then handle assignments in QISS through a secure portal. The supplier will work on their NC or CAR in your system for you to review and approve if you choose.
• Ability to incorporate supplier representative in QISS system by providing username and password

Features of QISS Supplier Management System

• Ability to add questionnaires, audit reports, brochures, catalogs, the scope of approval, certifications, and scorecards to supplier sites
• Ability to specify vendor status
• Ability to set email notifications for expired certifications
• Ability to link supplier documents from QISS Document Control modules
• Ability to create supplier survey for a particular supplier
• Ability to do the supplier audit using QISS Audit module
• Ability to get the Approved Vendor List (AVL)
• Ability to assign NCR and CAR to the supplier representative
• Supplier representative can then handle assignments in QISS through a secure portal
• Ability to incorporate supplier representative in QISS system by providing username and password
• Get complete visibility into your Suppliers
• Track all Suppliers through this centralized web-based database so you can trend information and identify areas of increased risk.
• Ensure Compliance with common management standards.
• Satisfy and exceed audit, nonconformance, and corrective and preventive action requirements of many common standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001.
• Prevent the recurrence or occurrence of discrepancies, failures, and deviations through dashboards that provide a real-time, at-a-glance assessment of the status of Supplier accreditation
• Cultivate a companywide culture of continuous improvement

The history of QISS Supplier Management System

The QISS Supplier module was developed for a large services organization client. Since its introduction in 2014, the module has been continually upgraded to allow for more data and information related to the supplier functionality and management of the purchasing/supply chain relationship.

The current version of the supplier module contains an impressive and powerful search engine capability that allows the user to search all aspects of a particular supplier or supplier location/site. It allows the user to have the latest material availability and costs at a fingertip and saves time and money related to more traditional search methods across multiple record-keeping locations.

As discussed in the Features and Benefits contained herein, the supplier module has many functionalities that lend to the module’s overall capability. The supplier module is one of the most powerful modules in the QISS suite of quality management modules and would make a vital and useful addition to any QMS.