Re: Microsoft Access - APQP type database for process flow, fmea, control plan, etc.
Now I have to confess that I’m not an active user of these forums, but I came across this thread some time ago when researching using Access to create an APQP database and having revisited it since then and seeing the most recent post on the subject I thought I'd register on the forum to share my experiences.
From the outset as I should make it clear that I’m not an Access programmer, or for that matter have any kind of formal Access training, I’m a Project Manager for an engineering business and I’m not posting this to sell my database (or give it away for that matter!). But simply to answer Manix's question, yes, it is possible to use Access as a database for APQP/PPAP/Project Management and do so very successfully.
About 3 years ago the company I work for was working towards Q1 accreditation, the big problem was how we controlled and managed our PPAP process, due mainly to the large number of components and suppliers involved. It was decided that a database needed and I was tasked with selecting a suitable one for the business. During the course of my research I found that the majority of products on the market just weren't suitable for my needs, they either cost too much, or they had dozens of features I didn't need and none of the ones I did, they didn't work the way I wanted them to or were just plain too complicated. So the decision was taken that we should develop our own database and being the person with the most knowledge of Access I was given the task.
The database initially took about 2 weeks to develop from scratch, it wasn’t perfect by any means, but it was a good start and it has continued to develop over time and it’s now a very solid and reliable database, even in a multi-user environment. The database covers the following aspects of the APQP/PPAP process (not an exhaustive list); Bill of Materials, PPAP and IMDS status of child parts (including an annual revalidation timetable), Process Flow, Control Plans (linked to the Process Flow),
PFMEA (again linked to the Process Flow), OEE and the PSW front sheet. The likes of the OEE and PSW can be exported to Excel spreadsheets, as many customers want these documents in their own Excel format rather than using the standard AIAG ones.
Admittedly not being an Access programmer the database may not be written as an expert would do it, but being an engineer and understanding how the various bit of information are used is a great advantage and allows a greater degree of freedom. I feel the main benefit though of developing your own database is the flexibility it gives you of being able to tailor a database to the way your business works. I’ve attached a couple of screenshots for information.
