PQ Systems eLine

June 2005

www.pqsystems.com

Vol. 7, No. 06

Welcome to Quality eLine, a monthly newsletter from PQ Systems, Inc., developers of software products and training services that help organizations improve their processes and products and achieve compliance to standards. This newsletter gives you industry news, case studies, and information about product enhancements and tips to enhance your software use.

In this issue you will find:

GAGEpack EZ 6.5 takes the nightmare out of maintenance.
Quality Quiz: Another quiz from Professor Cleary--and last month’s winners! Plus, watch for video to support quiz response.
Six Sigma and more: Avoiding 'no-ing' ourselves and others.
Data in everyday life: Charts show response time for tech support calls.
Bytes and pieces: Healthcare quality; Best pizza service; Training opportunities
FYI: How to check current version numbers and maintenance releases.

GAGEpack EZ 6.5 takes the nightmare out of maintenance
Just what you need to respond to ISO 9001:2000 standards relating to preventive maintenance processes—software that will keep track of these processes. The newest version of GAGEpack EZ 6.5 has a fully-functional maintenance scheduling and reporting capability, making gage maintenance a snap. http://www.pqsystems.com/eline/2005/06/gagepack.htm

Quality Quiz: Another quiz from Professor Cleary--and last month’s winners!
Winners of last month's quiz and a copy of Volume 1 and Volume 2 of Practical Tools for Continuous Improvement by Jackie Graham, Ph.D., and Michael J. Cleary, Ph.D: Benjamin Ayers (Bridgestone-Metalpha USA, Inc.); Kerri Campbell (LINPAC Materials Handling); Dr. Clifford Lau (Bayer Material Science); Randy Meyer (Kohler Company); and Elizabeth Greene Taquechel (Miami Children's Hospital). Congratulations! For this month’s quiz, and a chance to win these useful reference sources, go to http://www.pqsystems.com/eline/2005/06/Quality_Quiz.htm.

Six Sigma and More: Avoiding 'no-ing' ourselves and others
Fear in the workplace can be subtle, but its insidious effects include diminishing employee creativity and productivity and undermining organizations’ efforts at success. David Schwinn reflects on creating and eliminating fear. See his comments at http://www.pqsystems.com/eline/2005/06/sixsigmaandmore.htm.

Data in everyday life: Response time for support calls
PQ Systems uses data to improve response time for technical support calls. This chart demonstrates how we’re doing with respect to percentage of calls that are taken “live”—that is, answered by a member of our technical support staff. http://www.pqsystems.com/eline/2005/06/chartsyoucanuse.htm.

Bytes and pieces:

Improving the quality and value of health care is the mission of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. IHI Innovation Series help to understand and evaluate the issues and begin to make breakthrough improvements: More information.
Papa John's has ranked #1 in the University of Michigan National Quality Research Center's American Customer Satisfaction index for six years. More information.
Professional development opportunities: PQ Systems offers the following training seminars (to learn more, click on these links):

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, GAGEpack, and CHARTrunner). To review current maintenance downloads and version numbers for all PQ Systems software, go to: http://www.pqsystems.com/support/SoftwareUpdates.php