posted 17 August 2000 09:57 AM               

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From: ISO Standards Discussion [email protected]
Date: Wed, 16 Aug 2000 08:17:26 -0500
Subject: Re: QSI Software /Mower/Andrews

From: [email protected]

Shawn inquired;
"Does anybody use the Quality Systems International System 9000 software based on Lotus Notes? Does anyone have any recommendations for or against it?"

Shawn,

When I first looked into using an "off the shelf" product that worked under Lotus Notes (our company communication software) I soon realized that I had two choices:

1) - design our QMS around the structure of the "off the shelf" product (not a very efficient approach)
2) - redesign the "off the shelf" product to fit the way we did business (time consuming and still had to compromise to fit the software)

I decided to design our QMS system from scratch in Notes. I designed it to reflect the way that we do business and to enhance our effectiveness. It took some time to do (but so would #2 above); however, we now have in place a fully customized series of applications that are taylor fit to our needs. Also, the (programming) knowledge gained along the way has enabled us to further expand our Notes based systems to fulfill a wide variety of needs throughout the organization.

It was quite some time ago when I first investigated the "off the shelf" products so I'm sure that they have come a long way; however, I still believe that any "off the shelf" product will require you to remold your system to some degree to fit their program.

Hope this is helpful.

Ethan Andrews
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