quality control - software

[loosemarbles]

We sell product (B2B), which we sub-contract out the manufacturer for, and ship from A-B. All pretty normal I suppose!

We infrequently have product quality issues, but more likely have transport related damage etc. Save for using Excel, is there a software solution that anyone can recommend which isn't ridiculous amounts of money?

We want to improve the reporting side of it, and give the whole team access, elevating from just a QC 'thing' to an organisational wide process. Ideally it would give customers the opportunity to fill out an NCR form online, with the option to upload files and allow us to quickly produce reports, tracking claims, with alerts when overdue etc.

[48k]

Do you do the shipping with your own fleet + drivers or is it subcontracted to a haulier/courier?

Are the products shipped such that they can visibly be seen to be undamaged at point of delivery or do they need to be unwrapped / inspected (which happens after the delivery driver has gone)?

Reason for asking is that my company developers a bespoke ERM system for manufacturing businesses which includes an "Electronic Delivery Note" - we're live with a couple of companies who manufacture concrete beams and the EDN means that when the beams are craned on to site not only can the driver capture a customer signature but can also take photos of the delivery showing everything is intact and the GPS position of where he left it. Subsequently when the software generates the invoice to the customer, the invoice PDF includes the Proof of Delivery so the invoice payer can see the signature and any pics. Makes any disputes far easier to investigate and resolve.

Obviously won't work for wrapped/packaged items but PM me if you think it may work for you.

[loosemarbles]

Thanks @48k.

I think we are quite a bit different - we do any of the distribution ourselves and mainly full loads. Tracking of goods generally isn't an issue, more tracking the whole quality process - putting a technologically led system around what we already have.

[48k]

Sorry I picked up on your "more likely have transport related damage" issue. If the beams guys have an issue with a beam they can track right back through the process from who delivered it to who loaded it , who picked it in the yard, what day it was cast, which mould it was cast in, what mix of concrete was used, which supplier the wire came from, what the sample test results were etc. It's pretty essential for ISO / quality standards. They used to have this all in Excel but it's much better to have all the data in a central system.