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 Explorer RT
The optimal Statistical Process Control software solution, offering the benefits of three packages in one!

• 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.
• Easy to use Work Set view for real-time data entry through keyboard, electronic equipment and barcode readers!
• A secure web interface, requiring only a browser, for distributing information to your customer-base, your supply-chain, or your representatives in the field. Even supports data entry!

QA-Active SPC
The Custom Solution

• An ActiveX control used by Software Developers to integrate SPC analysis into customized applications.

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

• A powerful analysis and reporting tool that can import data from spreadsheets and databases and display a wide variety of easy-to-read control charts.
• Data may be stored in .qdb spreadsheet files or any ODBC-compliant database or spreadsheet (such as Excel).

SPC IV Excel
Fast, easy, affordable control charting software

• An Excel COM Add On that combines the power of SPC analysis with the simplicity of Microsoft© Excel.

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	QA-ActiveSPC	SPC IV Excel / Green Belt XL	SPC Explorer RT
Variable Data Analysis
Individual-X/Moving Range
X-bar/Range
X-bar/Sigma
Histogram
Capability Analysis
Moving Average/Moving Range
Moving Average/Moving Sigma
CuSum
EWMA
Multivariate Control Charts
Autocorrelation Function
Gage Repeatability
Gage Reproducibility
Gage Bias (Accuracy)
Gage Performance
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
Real-Time Gage Module	Optional			Included

Comparison Matrix

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

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	SPC-PC IV	QA-ActiveSPC	SPC IV Excel *	SPC Explorer RT
Environment	Stand-alone Windows application	ActiveX Developer's Tool	MS Excel COM Add In	Stand-alone Windows application
MS Vista Compliant?	No	N/A	Yes	Yes
Data Storage	Data & analysis options stored in QDB files. Also opens Excel and text files, and links to (ODBC) databases.	Defined by Developer	Microsoft Excel	Data & analysis options stored in SQL Server or Access database (provided). Also opens or links to Excel, text or ODBC databases
Data Entry & Access	Linked or imported databases or files, Keyboard, Electronic instrumentation	Defined by Developer	ODBC using Excel, Keyboard	Linked or imported databases or files, Keyboard, Electronic instrumentation
Data Viewing	Spreadsheet	Defined by Developer	MS Excel Spreadsheet	Spreadsheet, Customizable Data Entry Forms
Pre-defined Data Entry Options	Uses file templates for establishing columns in data entry spreadsheet.	Defined by Developer	None	All aspects of data entry, charting and process alerting may be defined in advance for simple "login and go" access for data entry personnel
Access Control	Partial	Defined by Developer	None	Every feature and function
Alerting of Process Problems	Partial, when logged into software	Defined by Developer	None	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.
External Reporting	JPEG, Printed Reports	Defined by Developer	JPEG	Web, Customizable Printed Reports
Customizable	No	Yes	No	Yes
External Document Retrieval	Files may be attached for access	Defined by Developer	None	Files may be attached for access, and version controlled
Cost per User	$595 Single/ $400 - $550 multiple users	$2000 develper plus first 5 users/ $200 per user thereafter	$199 Single/ $50 - $125 multiple users	$595 Single $225 - $495 multiple users (web and network)

* 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