Dissecting FreeQMS' Customers Module: Elevating Quality Relationships
Welcome back, fellow quality enthusiasts!
Today, we would like to take some time to talk about the FreeQMS Customers Module.
The Customers module represents one of FreeQMS’ most popular additions, and the best part? It's entirely free to use! This module is tailor-made for organizations with stringent quality system requirements, especially those that need to track customer details concerning SCARs, Complaints, Audits, and much more.
But there's more to it. The Customers module isn't just about tracking customers; it's also a perfect fit for overseeing EU authorized representatives, notified bodies, and distributors that, in essence, act more like customers than suppliers.
FreeQMS goes the extra mile by enabling administrators to grant independent access to both the Customers and Suppliers modules. This nifty feature streamlines the process for users responsible for tracking customer information in the context of Complaints or CAPAs. No more unnecessary data duplication.
Now, let's roll up our sleeves and explore the Customers module's functionality. You can access it directly from the home screen or via the convenient left-hand menu.
Adding customers is a breeze – simply hit the "Create Customer" button in the upper left corner, much like other modules.
And when it's time to export customer data, the process mirrors what you'd expect from other modules.
Speaking of evaluations, FreeQMS allows you to configure Evaluation Levels, similar to what you'd do for Suppliers. This feature proves invaluable when you need to conduct quarterly or annual reviews, or when you require regular notifications regarding design or process changes for your customers.
A typical Customer record in FreeQMS includes all the essential information you'd anticipate: customer status, creation date, the date of their last evaluation, and much more. The evaluation system in FreeQMS functions as a reliable tracking mechanism for staying on top of regular customer follow-up.
One of these example customers calls for a Biannual Review of Distribution Records. This nifty feature allows you to set this customer to expire every six months and then collect their distribution records. It's perfect for procedures that necessitate regular monitoring of distributors to ensure control over distributed products.
The other example customer has different requirements. It calls for an annual collection of PMS Input Data. In this case, you can set the customer to expire every year, then proceed to gather vigilance, complaint data, or feedback from their customers. It's an invaluable addition for your Post Market Surveillance process.
Down below, you'll find expected location and contact information, and it operates identically to the Supplier module.
Since this video aims to provide a broad introduction, we won't delve into each activity's intricacies (stay tuned for that in a more in-depth video). For now, let's check out the "Create Customer Activity" button. It's akin to what you'd expect from other modules, encompassing activities such as "Monitor and Measure Performance" and "Notify External Party."
"Monitor and Measure Performance" comes in handy for tracking distributors and periodically checking up on customers as part of post-market surveillance.
"Notify External Party" proves to be a valuable asset for alerting external parties to significant changes in your organization, be it an update in certification scope or a facility relocation.
The remaining tabs in the Customers module – Files, Tasks, Approvals, and History – operate in a similar manner to other FreeQMS modules, providing a comprehensive suite of tools for efficient quality management.
We hope this brief introduction has piqued your interest in the Customers module. Stay tuned for a more detailed series on customer monitoring coming your way.
As always, keep an eye out for more insights, tutorials, and updates from FreeQMS.