SPC Software Selection Guide

Statistical Process Control, simplified using SPC software, is a primary analysis tool of quality improvement. Control Charts were initially developed by Walter Shewhart in the 1920's, so they are sometimes referred to as Shewhart charts. W. Edwards Deming popularized their use in the 1980's, and current applications are found in healthcare and transactional services, as well as manufacturing and chemical processes. Popular control charts include the XBar chart and the Individual X chart for measurement data, and the c, u, nP and P charts for attribute (count) data. Follow this link to learn more about why you should use control charts to increase Customer Satisfaction.

Since 1983, Quality America has been a leading software provider for the quality practitioner. Thousands of clients worldwide have improved their processes with our Statistical process control software products.

SPC-PC IV Explorer
A spreadsheet package designed primarily for off-line analysis.

• Enhanced Explorer View with cascading folders to manage your process data, analyze external data (such as Excel or database files), and maintain reports! Data entry can also be easily automated using standard (Excel VBA, VB, Access, etc.) scripting tools.
• Export selected charts and statistics to MS Word to create completely customized and reproducible templates and Certificates of Analysis.
• Directly export to MS Excel for quickly distributing chart analyses, statistics, and/or raw data. Recipients using our SPC IV Excel software can even edit the analysis within MS Excel!
• See more features!

Which SPC Software is right for you?

Use the Statistical Process Control Software Decision Tree, created using our Green Belt XL software, to determine which of our SPC software packages best fit your needs.

See Analysis Features for a listing of each product's chart analyses.

See the Comparison Matrix for a listing of each product's functionality.

Analysis Features

The following table summarizes the chart analyses available in each of Quality America's SPC packages:

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	SPC-PC IV Explorer	SPC Explorer RT	SPC IV Excel / Green Belt XL	QA-Active SPC
Variable Data Analysis
Individual-X/Moving Range
X-bar/Range
X-bar/Sigma
Histogram
Capability Analysis
Moving Average/Moving Range
Moving Average/Moving Sigma
Gage Repeatability
Gage Reproducibility
Gage Bias (Accuracy)
Gage Linearity and Stability
Attribute Data Analysis
p Charts
np Charts
c Charts
u Charts
General Data Analysis
Run Charts
Pareto
Regression (Scatter Diagram)
Short Run Analysis
Process Monitor Chart
Box-Whisker Chart
Bar Charts
Pie Charts
Electronic Gage Interface
Web Interface

Comparison Matrix

The following matrix details some of the differences among these packages:

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	SPC-PC IV Explorer	SPC Explorer RT	SPC IV Excel *	QA-Active SPC
Environment	Stand-alone Windows application	Stand-alone Windows application	MS Excel COM Add In	ActiveX Developer's Tool
MS Vista Compliant?	Yes	Yes	Yes	N/A
Data Storage	Data & analysis options stored in Access database (provided), uploadable to SQL Server or SQL Express. Also opens or links to Excel, text or ODBC databases	Data & analysis options stored in Access database (provided), uploadable to SQL Server or SQL Express. Also opens or links to Excel, text or ODBC databases	Microsoft Excel	Defined by Developer
Data Entry & Access	Linked or imported databases, Excel or text files; Keyboard.	Linked or imported databases, Excel or text files; Keyboard; Electronic instrumentation	ODBC using Excel, Keyboard	Defined by Developer
Data Viewing	Spreadsheet	Spreadsheet, Customizable Data Entry Forms	MS Excel Spreadsheet	Defined by Developer
Pre-defined Data Entry Options	Spreadsheets with user-defined columns.	All aspects of data entry, charting and process alerting may be defined in advance for simple "login and go" access for data entry personnel	None	Defined by Developer
Access Control	Every feature and function	Every feature and function	Excel file security	Defined by Developer
Alerting of Process Problems	Emails to any valid address; Customizable based on condition for each chart. Real-time Monitoring of multiple processes provided.	Immediate feedback to Data Entry personnel; Emails to any valid address; Customizable based on condition for each chart. Real-time Monitoring of multiple processes provided.	None	Defined by Developer
External Reporting	Exports to Excel; Customized Exports to Word (using Word Templates).	Exports to Excel; Customized Exports to Word (using Word Templates); Secure/Restricted Web access	JPEG	Defined by Developer
Customizable	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
External Document Retrieval	Files may be attached for access, and version controlled	Files may be attached for access, and version controlled	None	Defined by Developer
Cost per User	$695 Single/ $400 - $550 multiple users	$795 Single $225 - $495 multiple users (web and network)	$199 Single/ $50 - $125 multiple users	$2000 develper plus first 5 users/ $200 per user thereafter

* Except Pricing, also applies to Green Belt XL.

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See also:

(SPC) Statistical Process Control chart concepts

SPC Training Materials for self-study or instructors

SPC articles