Integrated management system created by Steinbeis lays the focus on synergies
A management system capable of mastering all processes should allow companies to produce commodities and services that not only match customer requirements, but also the firm’s internal management objectives – such as quality and environmental goals. Setting up, introducing, and maintaining management systems requires intense resource investment, yet it would be impossible to imagine conducting everyday business without such systems. This is why many companies have an integrated management system (IMS), bringing together a variety of management systems to form one overall, end-to-end solution. This was also the course of action chosen by SQB, which has introduced an audit management system to its SQB IMS solution.
Management systems are now a standard part of many companies. They help to manage the complexity of everyday business and to implement corporate goals systematically, in keeping with targets and defined plans. In doing so, many companies must meet the requirements of several management standards, such as:
- Quality Management – DIN EN ISO 9001
- Environmental Management – DIN EN ISO 14001
- Occupational Health and Safety – DIN ISO 45001
- Medical Devices – DIN EN ISO 13485
- DAkkS Laboratory Accreditation – DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025
- Information Security – DIN EN ISO/IEC 27001
- Automotive Industry – IATF 16949 and VDA 6.4.
The solution offered by the SQB IMS integrated management system
To achieve this task, use is often made of integrated management systems, bringing together a number of methods and tools to create a uniform solution that meets standards across different areas. By unifying different standards according to so-called high-level structures, an IMS can dovetail aspects such as quality, environmental factors, and occupational safety. This can reduce resource investment by as much as 50%. [1] Integrated management systems work well as web-based intranet or cloud solutions.
The experts at Steinbeis were quick to recognize these advantages, and the SQB IMS management system also includes an integrated audit management system. As a result, when auditing integrated management systems, the synergy effects offered by the Steinbeis system can also make it possible to achieve significant savings – of up to 50%. [2], [3]
The other advantage offered by this web-based integrated management system is that it can be used to automate a whole host of routine tasks [4]:
- Automated versioning: If changes are made to a document, versioning is carried out automatically and records of changes are updated.
- Automated reading of folder structures: Companies’ existing folder structures are automatically processed during installation, including all data.
- Date stamp: Documents are given a current date stamp on opening.
- Rights management: Definition of which employees are allowed to read, edit, or set up information and documents.
- Document control with a notification system: Documents can be forwarded via email to specific recipients, or groups of recipients such as departments, with an option for addressees to confirm receipt.
- Document matrix: Documents can, for example, be managed automatically in a document matrix as required by the IATF.
- Automated content search: Documents and content can be found quickly using full-text searches.
- Web-based: Once installed on the company server or in the cloud, the IMS can be made easy to access via all linked computers used by employees at the company.
- Languages: The IMS can be run in several languages.
- Favorites: General and user-specific favorites can be set up for quick navigation.
- Release process: A multi-stage approval process can be set up for new document versions.
Using systematic structures and introducing lean management systems can save a lot of time and effort, but things do have to be well thought out and it’s important to adopt a systematic approach to project planning and introduction. The Steinbeis experts from Ilmenau accompany enterprises on the journey to introducing, maintaining, and continuing to develop management systems, offering solutions that are specifically tailored to their requirements.