posted 30 June 2000 03:11 AM               

As you all know there are lots of document control applications on the market, and many of us are about to make the transition from a paper based to an electronic QMS. Quite a few have already done so.

About a year and a half ago we had examined a bundle of commercial applications, and were about to purchase one. We were quite optimistic about it.

Then lightning struck: Our IT dep decided that they could put a similar application together for us, so in spite of our protests the purchase was put on hold while they set out doing it. A beta version built on the ideas from the commercial product resulted.

We are still at the beta stage. The project has been put on hold. You see, one thing was overlooked: The input of working hours needed from both the quality and IT departments... We simply didn't have it, and we said so from the start, but we still got steamrolled...

I think the lesson from this is crystal clear: Be very wary about designing your own applications ( unless that is your buissnes ). In the end it usually costs more than buying a seemingly expensive commercial package...