The Importance of Choosing a Cloud-Native QMS Solution
Identifying the right QMS software for your business depends on a number of factors. You’ll need to consider who will be using the software, how it will be used, how it will be maintained, and what implementation might look like.
In today’s connected world, on-site legacy EQMS solutions are limited by their structure and environment — a closed-door information silo that’s a critical barrier to partners, suppliers, and industry regulators.
Choosing a cloud-native quality management solution allows greater flexibility for growing businesses that want to improve quality management across the business while improving auditing, reporting, and data collection.
What is a Cloud-Native QMS Solution?
Unlike site-specific software, quality management solutions based on “the cloud” don’t use an on-site server. Instead, these cloud-native solutions use millions of public servers available virtually. This allows your software to be accessible wherever you need it to be and allows for updates, changes, and new information to show immediately at other locations and offices.
Cloud-native solutions are built in the cloud, making them much more powerful than a legacy system that’s been moved online. While the term “cloud-based” does indicate that software is scalable and accessible, cloud-native solutions do so much more.
This is why it’s important to understand that “cloud-based” does not mean the same as “cloud-native”. There’s a big distinction in terms of configurability as a cloud-based QMS is often built from a legacy system, while a cloud-native QMS has been on the cloud from day one. This gives it more flexibility as it doesn’t have the limitations of a system that’s been built for on-site server use then moved online.
ETQ Reliance is an example of a cloud-native QMS. This means it’s built in the cloud to allow the flexibility modern businesses need.
Reasons to Choose a Cloud-Native QMS
There are numerous reasons to choose a cloud-native QMS but let’s highlight three that showcase the power of this type of software.
Strong Application Breadth
A cloud-native quality management solution is flexible, adaptable, and easy to implement. With online integrations being at the heart of these systems, it’s easy for your business to add additional applications as needed. Because one update will show across all locations, it’s easy to add new functionality to your QMS without lengthy downtime or the entire IT department needing to spring into action.
This is important because, according to Gartner’s Market Guide for Quality Management Systems, businesses need a more flexible system than ever before. The report states: “In addition to the traditional focus on core QMS capabilities, buying organizations and end-users now demand an unprecedented level of flexibility, adaptability and ease of configuration.”
By allowing the integration of apps, as well as the use of APIs, a cloud-native solution offers all this and more to its users. This puts an end to information silos and allows you to gain deeper insight into all areas of the business.
Analytic Capabilities
A cloud-native QMS solution is built for integration. Much of the communication is automated, while the structure itself is flexible and adaptable to accommodate other pre-built systems and their legacy updates. Simplifying how other software — such as that used by suppliers or regulators — talks to your data through automation speeds up reporting and auditing capability.
This makes it simple to pull reports with the insights you need, in seconds. What would once take in-person site visits or spreadsheet reports sent via email, is now a process that’s accessible anywhere, in real-time, thanks to cloud-native API integrations and automated analytics.
When looking for a cloud-native QMS, consider the compatibility and availability of prebuilt APIs for ERP, PLM, MES, LIMS, LMS, EH&S, traceability, and other systems.
Cross-Industry Strategy
Quality begins with OEM suppliers then goes through an often complex journey to your happy customer. Streamlining the reporting of these quality processes improves your overall quality, efficiency, and productivity. A cloud-native QMS solution can deploy updates, send SCARs, and monitor real-time regulatory compliance across your entire operation.
Need more information from your Hong Kong team? You don’t need to ask for it, they’re hooked up to your cloud-native application too. Want to analyze the quality of your newest product line? You can trace its original materials, the build, and its journey to market. Want to find out how well it sells? Add a retail-specific API into your cloud-native system to get that information in real-time.
Wondering what else is possible? Take a look at the new functionality ETQ Reliance customers can expect this year.
The right QMS solution can give you the insight needed for real growth and change. Going cloud-native adds a new level of adaptability to your QMS. This means it can be tailored to your business needs, the way you manage quality, regulatory requirements, how you like to report, and the way in which you work with suppliers.
To further understand the benefits of a cloud-native QMS and what it can do for your organization, take a look at the 2022 Gartner market guide on QMS software providers.
FAQ
What is cloud-native and why is it important?
A cloud-native application is designed, built, and run in the cloud — with the full range of functionality that the cloud computing model provides. To future-proof your operations, it’s important to consider cloud technology because cloud-native systems mean there are no limits on storage capacity, innovation, or functionality.
Why is cloud-native important for business?
For your operation to be future-ready — whatever that may look like — this requires agile systems that can change, grow or adapt as needed. Working with cloud-native technologies gives you the best tools; all in the right place, at the right time.
What are the advantages of a cloud-native QMS?
A cloud-native quality management solution offers a broader spectrum of applications, global access to one system, the latest in AI and machine learning technology, and real-time data analysis. Add in limitless storage and highly adaptable functionality, and it’s clear a cloud-native QMS is a configurable, flexible option for growing businesses.
What are the three most important benefits of using the cloud in an organization?
These benefits include:
- Using cloud computing ensures all stakeholders across your product cycles, can access and contribute to the same flow of information.
- Cloud computing applications provide greater depths of statistical data — informing innovation, opportunity, and actionable improvements or corrections.
- The cost savings of working in the cloud impact every part of your business. Improving environmental and sustainability practices, identifying quality trends, preventing loss, increasing supplier collaboration and performance, and improving employee engagement and satisfaction all add up.
