August 21, 2000
DataNet Quality Systems (Southfield) and Statware, Inc. (Corvallis) have formed a strategic alliance specifically to help manufacturers start using the Internet as a global tool for managing quality processes.
DataNet is the developer of award-winning WinSPC® statistical process control software. Statware is a top-selling provider of e-business applications for quality improvement.
“These two companies are taking an innovative step to benefit quality managers and information technology executives, alike,” says William W. Cassell, director of the Information Technology Management Association (ITMA), and former Gartner Group representative.
“Integrating plant-floor, real-time statistical process control with Internet-based, management-level statistical analysis adds a new dimension to the Internet’s global communications power,” Cassell said. “Equally important, it links quality operations into the corporate information mainstream, and this factors very well into strategies for informed, rapid-response, enterprise-wide business management.” Cassell’s ITMA serves scores of companies including Fortune 500 listees.
The DataNet/Statware alliance brings together the best of breed from the real-time statistical process control and enterprise-wide statistical analysis markets.
Valuable new capabilities
DataNet vice president Ned Greenberg says, “People responsible for quality can start using any Internet-connected PC anywhere in the enterprise, or anywhere in the world, to see what’s going on with plant floor quality processes in real-time. They can look at the enterprise as a whole, at divisions, at specific plants, or at any individual quality process. Customers and suppliers can be granted instant access to quality data, too. It’s totally flexible. We are eliminating distance and time differences as obstacles to managing quality.”
Statware president Tom Simas says, “This is a high-ROI capability for any company that is serious about achieving consistent levels of quality for customer satisfaction, competitive advantage and, of course, for profits. Savings resulting from continuous quality improvements flow directly to the profit line. The integrated product will compliment corporate systems and IT strategy for Internet and intranet development.”
How it works. Statware’s Statit™ Internet-based software engine is being integrated with DataNet’s WinSPC C/S Enterprise real-time statistical process control software system. This means that as operators collect data from any process, the information is instantly available for a variety of Web-publishing options. For example, users can customize charts, reports and analyses for specific individuals or groups, and then share that information across the enterprise via the Internet or corporate intranet. Resulting on-screen charts and reports can be updated in real-time through the Web browser, enabling users anywhere in the world to see problems as they arise and to act immediately. By using common Web browsers, report distribution is essentially free as well as instantaneous.
Quality managers gain the ability to create custom procedures, menus and dialogs to match the specific needs of the enterprise. Any chart, graph or visual available to quality process supervisors on the factory floor can be available on demand anywhere else in the enterprise. “Drill-down” capabilities let the viewer click on a chart or a data point and immediately access underlying data down to any level, or download it locally for further analysis.
Extensive data-mining capability. The new technology gives WinSPC the ability to collect data from almost any source, be it ASCII files or databases. It also lets you extract and analyze data from automation systems, ERP, MRP, MES or SCADA applications in real-time, monitor the process and distribute the information throughout your corporate intranet or extranet.
No special training needed. Reports are generated as Web pages and are posted to password-protected sites on the Internet, corporate intranets or extranets. Users do not need Web programming skills.
The newly combined software provides customizable security, automated reporting and alarm notification, and browser-based administration. Even CAD drawings and quality process documentation can be made accessible via the Internet.
First availability
DataNet plans to start offering the new WinSPC/Statit functionality later this quarter.
Working together
“We are thrilled to work with Statware,” says DataNet’s Greenberg. “Statware is dedicated to creating products that help customers manage processes and their outcomes for optimal quality, customer satisfaction, and cost containment. Statware is clearly the leader in the field of Internet-based quality analysis tools.”
According to Statware’s Simas, “DataNet is constantly raising the bar for real-time SPC software. Combining our Internet-based analysis software with the peerless data collection and data warehousing power of WinSPC creates a state-of-the-art tool for quality management.”
About Statware
Statware, Inc. develops enterprise solutions for quality improvement analysis and reporting. The company provides e-business, application developer and desktop products, along with related consulting, education and support services, to manufacturers and healthcare organizations worldwide.
© 2000 Statware, Inc. All rights reserved. Statit is a registered trademark, and Statware and Statit e-QC are trademarks of Statware, Inc.
Statware media contact: Cristie Lynch, Statware, Inc., 541.753.5382