Can you add data (such as Manufacturing Order number, Serial Number, etc.) via a barcode reader to the Traceability Fields?

If the barcode reader is a keyboard emulation type reader, then just put your cursor into the field then scan from the bar code.

I have looked at the tutorials for your SPC-PC IV and SPC Explorer RT products, and it seems they each have advantages for different aspects of our operation. Can you give any recommendations on which is better for different applications? If I purchase both, can the data from SPC Explorer RT be accessed from SPC-PC IV?

Each of the packages is designed for slightly different needs. SPC Explorer RT can be looked at as a 'turn-key solution' for ease of data entry and real-time monitoring of the process. (By real-time, we mean that as data is collected, or measurements made, charts are produced for immediate analysis at the data entry station). Electronic gages can be used to facilitate this data entry. While SPC-PC IV can also be used this way, its interface has much more capability; SPC-PC IV can be used to query existing databases, and link to files or open files created from other software. (SPC Explorer RT has a self contained database). While most users like the flexibility of SPC-PC IV's spreadsheet, the data form used in SPC Explorer RT has appeal to novice users.

The strengths of each package make them especially attractive together. Use SPC Explorer RT for data entry and real-time monitoring at the data entry workstations. Connect to its database using SPC-PC IV's ODBC Query functions and your Supervisors or Engineers can monitor the process off-line in real time fashion. Use SPC-PC IV's advanced Alerting functions to send alert messages to any SPC-PC IV user based on user-defined alert conditions (such as out of control, out of specification, etc.). With SPC-PC IV version 3.63, alert conditions can initiate executable or batch files. These could send pager messages, e-mails, or send warning lights flashing down in Quality Control.

How do you delete Work Sets, Parts, and Characteristics?

Prior to v3.1, Work Sets, Parts and/or Characteristics that were no longer needed could be made Inactive. Version 3.0 provides the ability to limit the views to only those records based on specified criteria (such as Active Only).
Version 3.1 allows deleting of Work Sets, Parts, and Characteristics, as well as Gages and ODBC Import definitions.

If a Characteristic is Inactive, why is it shown in a Work Set view? You shouldn't be able to collect data on it.

It was designed this way to allow on-line users the ability to view a characteristic w/o collecting data for it. If you don't want to see the characteristic in the Workset, you should use the Remove button in the Define Workset dialog to remove the characteristic from the Workset. Note also that Auto Advance will bypass the Inactive characteristic, and that data cannot be collected for the Inactive Characteristic.

Is the size of the database a concern for performance?

Performance does not degrade noticeably with the size of the database, at least within reasonable limits. Instead, performance is dictated by the amount of data being analyzed in the current workset charts. We have generated a large database to demonstrate performance: 288 processes, 384 characteristics, and 48,466 data records. When the charts had the usual 100 or even 200 subgroups there was no noticeable degradation in performance as compared to the much smaller sample database.

Although it is fair to say that MS-Access is not ideally suited for large number of users, or large number of records, you can easily circumvent that by using several databases throughout the plant for the different departments.

Version 3.1 supports the use of SQL Server databases, which are particularly useful for larger databases or frequent transactions.

Is SPC Explorer RT compatible w/ QS 9000?

QS 9000 Element 4.20 (Statistical Techniques) requires the use of statistical methods where applicable and refers the reader to the AIAG SPC Reference Manual.

The formulas used in Quality America's  SPC applications are in agreement with those found in the AIAG SPC Reference Manual. The Foreword to the AIAG SPC Reference Manual states the manual "should be considered an introduction to statistical process control. It is not intended to limit the evolution of statistical methods suited to particular processes or commodities, nor is it intended to be comprehensive of all SPC techniques."

In this regard, Quality America's SPC software does offer analysis options not discussed in the Reference Manual. These include non-normal Individual-X charts, non-normal Process Capability analysis, additional Run Test rules, etc. These options may or may not be used, at the user's discretion. Furthermore, the Reference Manual refers to some analysis techniques not offered in Quality America's SPC software, such as Median Charts and Measurement System Analysis (offered in Quality America's QA-Calibrate software).

.