My original message to the group was the following...
-----Original Message-----
Quality Dude wrote in message
news:[email protected]

> Greetings all!
> I've been thinking about creating a simple database using Microsoft Visual
> Basic and/or Access that simply provides a template to guide someone
> (multiple users running on a network server) through the entry of specific
> data for documentation and control of corrective actions of any kind. The
> basic structure would be a Corrective Action Request Entry Screen that
> would provide fields for standard things like date, name, description of
> problem, a list of who must respond with e-mail addresses, target date for
> implementation, follow-up date to review implementation, product line,
> customer, distribution, open/closed status, etc. etc. Another screen would
> provide the input fields for the responders, a third screen would allow for
> inquiries and printing summaries and reports.
>
> As I've been conceptualizing this it occurs to me that someone, somewhere
> must have already done this and might have made it available in the public
> domain as freeware / shareware, or just as a free / low-cost database
> utility. I don't want to go out and spend $500+ on a system that does
> things I don't need to do, but I'd be willing to spend a smaller reasonable
> amount for a simple tool like I've described above.
>
> Has anyone seen what I am looking for? I would appreciate being pointed in
> the right direction with an e-mail address or a web site that could provide
> the tool. Any advice would be welcomed.
>
> Please respond to [email protected], with my thanks.
> Best Regards!
>
>
-----End of Message-----

I have since received many good responses and kind offers for help. I have also received a number of requests for the results of my search by others who are looking for the same thing. I would like to share with everyone the results of what I have found so far for the general benefit of all.

This is what I've found so far...

For the month of December, JKT is giving away the CAS9000, Corrective Action System for free!. You can download the program at www.jkt9000.com. I initially had to try several times to get into the web site and several times to download the program but was eventually successful. If you need help, there is contact information at the web site, or the technical contact at JKT is Kevin V. Emmrich, Internet [email protected] I've looked at this program fairly completely, so far, and it does everything I need for now. If you talk to Kevin, please tell him I referred you. You can mention my name and company: Scott Lolmaugh, SiCOM Inc. Obviously, they are in business to make money and are trying to sell something. They have a number of ISO related modules, each license normally sells for $500 with a 5 user license for around $1500. With the CAR module for free, you can upgrade to the 5 user version for around $1000. Note that this is not a 5 "seat" license where only 5 people in your company can use it, it is for 5 maximum concurrent users, by an unlimited number of users at a location. I see this as a major benefit. It is also a stand-alone program, not depending on some other platform that you would have to buy for any user, such as Lotus Notes. Although these types of systems can be much more powerful and secure, If you don't need it, why pay for the extra software and training?

Also I plan to take a look at this next one from the Harrington Group. I have a demo disk coming, but it hasn't arrived yet. The price is about the same, but I think it is for "seats", not for concurrent users. The web address is http://www.Harrington-Group.com. It looks like it has all the same basic functionality as the CAS9000 program.

I also was referenced to these, but some cost a lot more, some are too simple or limited, and some are more than I really need right now...

Korbitec Advanced Document and Information Manager http://www.adam.co.za/products/index.htm

Sierra Vista provides a unique combination of managing customer complaints while tracking internal corrective actions. http://www.lynkview.com/

QMX is the leading quality management software that shortens your company's time to standards compliance by automating processes such as document control and corrective action. http://www.qmx.com/qmxweb/qmx.nsf I also received this message from them...

We give away a number of fully operational evaluation copies of QMS-1, #1 integrated quality management software. We will appreciate user's input, any comments, indication of errors and flaws, criticism, ideas for improvement, etc. as they arise during the evaluation.

All you need to do is to fill in the order form and we will email the QMS-1 to you or to your client. Your/client company name and address will appear in QMS-1 where appropriate.

Please go to http://www.clover.com.au/quality/ and fill the order and try it.

This message was from Lucian Nowicki [[email protected]]

IDS CATS Corrective Action Tracking System (CATS) is a MS Windows(r) multi-user database system designed to help firms track problems from identification of nonconformance, through disposition and corrective action. http://www.idscats.com/main.htm

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I hope this summary is helpful to the quality community at large.