March 25, 2014

Dennis Payton Expandable Software  Tools Will Allow You to Focus More on Creating Quality Products

Dennis Payton, Vice President of Product Marketing and Development, Expandable Software, Inc.

In 1908, the first Model T was created and more than 15 million were sold through mid-1927, proving that a focus on your core product can create a tidal wave of success. The plan and processes Henry Ford put in place to create the Model T, revolutionized the automotive industry. Having a streamlined set of processes is still important for manufacturing a quality product today. The Model T not only tells the story of efficiency and mass production, but it also depicts the story of quality proving that they are not mutually exclusive.

The medical device industry is no doubt tough to do business in, whether it’s the constant threat from multiple competitors or the constant scrutiny from the FDA with 21 CFR Part 820 and Part 11, it’s an eat or get eaten world. Non-compliance with the FDA can result in a number of costly consequences including audits, recalls, production stoppage, substantial fines, and potential lawsuits.

With the advancements of technology, we are now able to efficiently control and monitor the process with tools such as an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system combined with a Quality Management System (QMS). Having the right partnership between your ERP and QMS vendors allows you to create a reliable support system.

erp vs qms graph Tools Will Allow You to Focus More on Creating Quality Products

With such a support system in place, your company can, in turn, focus more on your initial quality system, developing a sound and innovative product. The theory is that creating a quality product begins with the inception of the product. A house built on sand, no matter how nice it looks, is not going to work, and the same goes for a medical device, a quality product should be the goal from the very beginning. With today’s tools, Henry Ford could create the ultimate formula: efficiency + variety + quality = success

A more detailed paper, Effective Compliance Programs Demand Sound Strategy, Strong Partners wrote by Michael Causey, outlines some of the key advantages your company stands to gain by selecting an ERP system that is integrated with your QMS. The never-ending challenge of creating and monitoring a quality system can contribute to your company’s increased regulatory compliance and customer satisfaction.

About the Authors

Dennis Payton is Vice President of product marketing and development with Expandable Software Inc. He has 23 years of engineering, product management, and executive management experience. He holds a BS in electrical engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Louis Obispo, and post studies at Stanford University, University of California, Santa Cruz, and UC Berkley Haas School of Business.

Ryan Hussey is a marketing professional with Expandable Software, Inc. Mr. Hussey holds a BS of Business Marketing from San Jose State University and contributes personal time to coaching youth swimming classes and teams at local South Bay Area swim clubs.