Why We Designed a Self-Service QMS Option SMBs Can Implement on Day One

ETQ Reliance Go® is a self-service Quality Management System (QMS) implementation option designed for small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to use on day one
The new self-service option is pre-configured using decades of quality management expertise from ETQ
With reduced upfront costs, immediate usability and scalable features, ETQ Reliance Go helps SMBs provide enterprise-level quality even when they have fewer resources

We recently rolled out ETQ Reliance Go®, a self-service deployment option that small- and medium businesses (SMBs) can independently set up and start using on day one, incorporating best quality practices forged from the decades of experience ETQ has in the quality space.

Many SMBs require the same rigor in quality management as large enterprises but don’t have the same level of resources or the same complex requirements (such as multiple sites or global operations). That makes maintaining compliance while protecting margins difficult, especially when they need to meet the same federal policies, quality standards and regulations, regardless of their size.

When an SMB eventually looks into adopting a Quality Management System (QMS) to automate processes, they run into bumps with implementation costs. A good QMS often comes with implementation costs because of the business complexity involved, the need to customize the solution, and the strategic guidance and technical resources required from the vendor. With ETQ, most companies see their QMS pay for itself within 6-9 months. Some have seen 3,200% ROI within the first year.

Because of that, customized implementations can be valuable for organizations with complex, multi-site operations or unique requirements. But that puts SMBs at a disadvantage compared to their enterprises with a healthy number of resources to throw at a problem. To get a high-quality QMS that will deliver ROI and operational improvements, many SMBs need to make some tough decisions.

Not anymore.

ETQ Reliance Go: Enterprise-Level Practices Without Implementation Costs

ETQ Reliance Go incorporates essential quality process applications delivered on ETQ’s cloud-based QMS platform. The applications contain built-in workflows and are designed to seamlessly connect with each other to support compliance with a range of requirements, from industry standards to regulatory to customers.

Together, these applications provide a comprehensive quality management foundation that covers the essential processes all SMBs need to maintain compliance and operational excellence.

What’s Included in Core

The Core application bundle serves as the backbone of your quality operations, delivering nine critical capabilities:

Document Control ensures your team always works with the latest approved documents, eliminating the confusion and compliance risks that come with version control nightmares.

Employee Training Management tracks certifications, assigns required training and maintains records to prove compliance during audits.
Corrective Action Management and Audit Management work hand-in-hand to identify issues and drive continuous improvement. When audits uncover gaps, you can immediately launch corrective actions and track them through resolution.

Change Management provides the controls you need to evaluate, approve and implement changes without disrupting operations or compromising quality.
Suppliers, Materials & Chemicals management helps you qualify vendors, track materials and maintain the documentation regulators expect to see.
Risk Register gives you a centralized view of potential risks across your operations, so you can be proactive rather than reactive.
Centralized Reporting & Alerts transforms your quality data into actionable insights, helping you spot trends, identify recurring issues and demonstrate the value of your quality program to leadership.

What core automates on day one:

Before:

Emailing documents for approvals, printing outdated SOPs from local drives and manually tracking document reviews in spreadsheets
Using sign-in sheets, spreadsheets, or manual processes to track training certifications and records for audits
CAPA investigations lost in email threads, tracking audit findings in Excel with manual follow-ups and compiling audit reports from multiple sources
Change requests via email or verbal conversations with no documentation, unclear approval history and manual updates to related documents
Tracking approved suppliers in spreadsheets and digging through records to identify which products use specific materials
Risk assessments scattered across documents and spreadsheets, inconsistent risk reviews and scrambling to compile risk reports for leadership
Manually pulling data from different systems to build PowerPoint decks, no easy way to analyze recurring issues and difficulty proving quality ROI

After

Centralized workflows show exactly where each document sits in the review process, team members automatically access current versions and automated notifications ensure reviews happen on time
Company training matrix tracked in one searchable system with automated reminders and the ability to pull comprehensive reports in minutes
Structured workflows with clear ownership and due dates, real-time status visibility with escalation notifications and comprehensive reports generated with a few clicks
Formal system ensuring every change is properly evaluated and approved, complete approval history in one place and automatic linking to impacted documents and training requirements
Centralized supplier information, documents attached directly to supplier and material records
All risks in one centralized location, automated review reminders and real-time dashboards showing top risks and mitigation status
Built-in solution for graphical reporting, real-time visibility into process metrics, and automated trend notifications to stay ahead of developing issues

Nonconformance Handling

Even with the best processes in place, nonconformances happen. This set of applications streamlines how you identify, document, investigate and resolve quality issues. It creates a clear workflow from detection through disposition, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks and you maintain a complete record for compliance purposes.

What it automates on day one:

Before:

Paper forms for defects, tracking investigations via email or handwritten logs, and hunting down nonconformance records across filing cabinets for audits

After:

Log nonconformances directly from the shop floor, real-time visibility into status and ownership, all documentation in one searchable location and automated defect reports

Quality Events
Quality Events handles the capture and investigation of any unplanned deviation, providing a structured method to either track and trend the occurrence or launch a formal corrective action process.

What it automates on day one:

Before:

Paper forms or email chains to report unplanned deviations, uncertainty about investigation status, and digging through files when auditors ask for deviation records

After:

Electronic approval workflows with clear documentation, enforced investigation processes, complete records accessible in minutes and pattern analysis to identify systemic issues

The Benefits: Quality Management Without the Wait

The fully tailored QMS implementation model works well when you have the budget and time for extensive configuration. But ETQ Reliance Go recognizes that SMBs often need to start managing quality now, not six months from now.

Here’s what that means in practice:

Faster Time to Value: You’re working in the system from day one. Your team can start documenting procedures, tracking training and managing CAPAs in days not weeks or months.

Best Practices Built In: The workflows and structures in ETQ Reliance Go reflect decades of quality management expertise. You’re not starting from scratch or trying to figure out how quality processes should work. You’re implementing proven approaches that work for companies across industries.

Lower Initial Investment: By eliminating the implementation service costs, you reduce the financial barrier to entry. This makes enterprise-grade quality management accessible even when you’re watching every dollar.

Scalability: As your business grows, your quality management system grows with you. ETQ ETQ Reliance Go gives you the foundation, and you can always add customization later if your needs become more complex.

Reduced Complexity: A streamlined, pre-configured system means less time training employees . Your team can focus on quality work, not learning how to navigate a bespoke system.

Who Is ETQ Reliance Go Right For?

This self-service option is ideal for SMBs that:

Need to implement or upgrade their QMS quickly
Want enterprise-level functionality without enterprise-level complexity
Have straightforward quality management needs that align with industry best practices
Prefer to start with a solid foundation rather than building from the ground up
Want to prove ROI before investing in extensive customization