This month's issue of Quality eLine, a newsletter from PQ Systems, Inc. provides industry news, case studies, quality tips, and information about software products and training services. In this issue you will find: Quality 'fanatics' use SQCpack to save Ben & Jerry's $100,000 Quality Quiz: Another quiz from Professor Cleary--and last month’s winners! Data in everyday life: What’s your 1950 dollar worth now? Six Sigma and More: Advice from a young entrepreneur. Bytes and pieces: Internal audit support. Current software versions, Quality congress, better work environments. Last word: 10 signs that you need to update your SPC software.

Quality 'fanatics' use SQCpack to save Ben & Jerry's $100,000 When Quality Assurance folks are “absolute fanatics,” like those at Ben & Jerry’s in Vermont, the outcome is predictable: high quality products, cost savings, and a reputation for consistent excellence. With a QA system built on an integrated data approach and utilizing SQCpack in its panoply of quality tools, these “fanatics” have identified savings of more than $100,000 in the past year while continuing to build the company’s reputation for great ice cream products, according to Ben & Jerry’s. Go to benandjerrys.htm

Quality Quiz: Another quiz from Professor ClearyÑand last month's winners! Winners of last month's quiz (and a copy of Quality Gamebox) are Kristin Acree (University of Utah Hospital and Clinic); John Cleary (OMNI Engineering): Robert Duvall (Beavers Dental); Julie Ewing (Long Oil Cooler); and Jonathan Owen (BWD Dana Corp.).Congratulations! For March’s quiz question, and a chance to win a copy of this fun, interactive teaching tool, go to Quality_Quiz.htm

Data in everyday life: What’s your 1950 dollar worth now? We all know that the dollar isn’t what it used to be. This CHARTrunner chart shows what a 1950 dollar is worth in intervening years, based on data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. For calculations, visit chartsyoucanuse.htm

Six Sigma and More: Advice from a young entrepreneur David Schwinn looks at the success of a landscape architect who built his business with these fundamentals. Go to sixsigmaandmore.htm

Bytes and pieces: Information you can use:

• Internal audit support: A new video by Jack West and Charlie Cianfrani gives those assigned to audit teams a quick understanding of how an internal audit program works. The video and learning guide are published by Paton Press. For more information, go to http://www.patonpress.com/xcart/customer/product.php?productid=16177&cat=250&page=1
  
  
• To review the program for the Annual Quality Congress of the American Society for Quality, scheduled for May 24-26 in Toronto, Canada, see the conference website: http://aqc.asq.org/
  
  
• What makes a meaningful workplace? Tom Terez has tackled this question and continues to explore its possibilities. http://betterworkplacenow.com/akeyfind.html

Current versions of software: To determine the most recent version of PQ Systems’ primary software products, check Help/PQ on the web/check for updates on your program (for SQCpack 2000, GAGEpack 2000, and CHARTrunner). To review current maintenance downloads and version numbers for all PQ Systems software, go to: http://www.pqsystems.com/support/Maintenance_release_downloads.htm

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Last word: Ten signs you need to update your SPC software This light-hearted list will help you decide if your software is ready for retirement. Go to tensigns.htm

Copyright 2004 by PQ Systems, Inc., P.O. Box 750010, Dayton, OH 45475-0010
All rights reserved.
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