Archive for February, 2009

Software short: Software pricing based on usage

February 27, 2009

Steve Daum

For 20+ years we have been selling our software based on a per-workstation license. The idea is that for each computer where the software is installed, the user must purchase one license. This has worked well and we will continue to offer this option into the future.

One of the trends we are watching is software licensing based on how much it is used. There are different usage-based pricing models but most of them tie the price to how many people use the software rather than the number of computers where it is installed. In the past, the technology for managing this type of license added complexity to the installation and deployment experience. With networks, the internet, and new license tools, the usage-based license model is becoming more appealing.

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Posted in CHARTrunner, GAGEpack, SQCpack, Software, Software short | Comments Off

Worth a look: Mike Micklewright on Quality Digest

February 25, 2009

Matt Savage

I regularly follow Quality Digest articles and videos and have come to really enjoy the material written by Mike Micklewright. His material is not just educational, it is usually presented in an entertaining fashion. Hey, if you can make quality information a little entertaining, then you have some talent! You can see many of his articles directly from the Quality Digest site once you enter Mike’s name in the search engine at http://www.qualitydigest.com/.

For example, in this video, http://www.qualitydigest.com/inside/quality-insider-video/viewpoint-mike-micklewright.html, Mike shares his opinions on the new ISO 9001:2008 standard. If your company is ISO registered or you are interested in more information about the standard, there are many sources of information on the web. Google gave me more than I could have anticipated. Yet in this short video, Mike Micklewright examines the eight quality management principles and what the editors did or more to his point, what they did not do, with the standard.

Mike owns his own company, Quality Quest, and if you are interested in more of his material, Google his name or visit http://www.mikemick.com/. What helpful quality resources do you follow online?

Posted in Worth a look | Comments Off

Searching for a quality job or employee?

February 17, 2009

Mike Cleary

Written Chinese characters for the word “crisis” have two elements, representing “danger” and “opportunity.” This ancient wisdom suggests that every crisis contains an element of opportunity—a hard lesson to be remembered in these days of economic downturn and massive layoffs.

Companies faced with diminished sales are turning to quality improvement as a way to save money and avoid further layoffs, according to observers, providing opportunities not only for quality professionals, but also for companies that may survive the crisis as stronger, more competitive organizations.

In the meantime, of course, lies the “danger” part: layoffs are painful, and staff reductions leave no one feeling safe. The network of quality organizations, companies, and professionals, however, may represent the “opportunity” part of the equation.

As part of this network, PQ Systems invites those who have lost their jobs to post links to their resumes and those who can use qualified professionals to link to position postings. Use the comments section below for our blog community to see. Acting as a link between job-seekers and job-providers is one way we can lend a helping hand.

We welcome your suggestions, your input, and of course, your link if you wish to post it.

Posted in Miscellaneous | 1 Comment »

Software short: Direct data in SQCpack

February 16, 2009

Scott Johnson

I recently received a call from Tom who was keying gage data into SQCpack through a keyboard. Tom called because his company was interested in reducing the amount of time that it was taking to get their data into SQCpack. I learned that he was writing down the readings, walking across the plant to the PC, then typing the numbers into SQCpack. There were multiple ways to make their data entry more efficient.

First, I suggested moving the computer to the production area. This was not an option as this PC was in use by the supervisor and could not be moved. My next suggestion was to purchase another PC. This solution was also denied due to the cost. Eventually, the company agreed to move an unused PC from an old production area to the current production area. This move alone saved them a great deal of time.

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Posted in SQCpack, Software, Software short | Comments Off

Upcoming SQCpack training

February 16, 2009

Alison Nelson

We’re holding a 75-minute webinar, Understanding your processes using SQCpack, this Thursday, February 19th at 11:00am ET. This is the final session in a three-part SQCpack webinar series that teaches tips and techniques to enhance your software use.

Participants will learn how to interpret the following SPC charts:

  • X-bar and range
  • Individual and moving range
  • p- and c-charts
  • Attributes charts
  • Control limit options
  • Special causes and notes
  • Chart annotation Control limits Histogram options
  • Cpk, Cp
  • Ppk, Pp
  • Dpm Control chart selection Out-of-control tests

We hope all of you SQCpack users can join us for this event!

Posted in SQCpack, Training, Webinars | Comments Off

Valentine’s Day is for the young at heart

February 12, 2009

Alison Nelson

According to about.com, it is children who receive the most Valentine’s Day gifts. The following CHARTrunner chart details who else is sure to be spoiled this Saturday.

Posted in Data in everyday life | 2 Comments »

Upcoming articles in this month’s Quality eLine

February 9, 2009

Alison Nelson

Quality eLine is our monthly newsletter that gives you industry news, case studies, and information about product enhancements and tips to enhance your software use. Here is what you’ll find in this month’s issue:

  • Alert: Program manages complex email alerts, remote entry of gage records
  • Quality Quiz: Another quiz from Professor Cleary—and last month’s winners!
  • Data in everyday life: Countries with most wind energy charted
  • Six Sigma and more: New Year’s resolutions: Turning dreams into action

Not a subscriber yet? Subscribe now to receive your free copy.

Posted in Miscellaneous | Comments Off

Preview: Winter edition of Quality School Line

February 4, 2009

Marilou Jewett

Quality School Line is our free quarterly newsletter full of tips, examples, and suggestions for both classroom teachers and administrators. Sally Duncan, a PQ Systems consultant and seminar leader specializing in education, assembles every issue of this newsletter to help educators gain usable knowledge of quality improvement tools for use in their classrooms.

Here’s what you’ll find in tomorrow’s issue of Quality School Line:

  • Teaching a dog to sing: The value of formative assessments
  • Sally answers a teacher’s question: “Do formative assessments really work?”
  • Meet Sally in Chicago! Sally will be leading a presentation entitled, “Twenty Minutes Once a Week — Improve Students’ Knowledge of Math Standards” at the 2009 AdvancED Conference on March 29-31, 2009.

If you’re interested in quality in education, click here to subscribe.

Posted in K-12 education | Comments Off

Stats tip: Within and between subgroup variation clarified

February 3, 2009

Matt Savage

I received a question after my last blog post asking me to clarify the concept of within and between subgroup variation which is used in calculating Cpk, Cp, Cr, Ppk, Pp, Pr and other statistics. Here is an example I used to help explain the differences.

Let’s say that every day I run about 30 minutes with my chocolate labrador, Cadbury (pictured below).

While running, I decide to measure how fast we are going. I measure the speed (pace) three times throughout the run: toward the beginning, the middle, and the end of the run. This data tells me a few things:

1. The pace at the beginning, middle, and end of the run.
2. The average pace we keep. This average pace is also called an X-bar.
3. The difference between the fastest pace and the slowest pace, also called the range.
4. Cadbury, like me, has a lot more energy at the beginning of our run than at the end.

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Posted in Stats tips | Comments Off

Upcoming SQCpack training

February 2, 2009

Alison Nelson

We’re holding the second session in a three-part SQCpack webinar series, SQCpack Unwrapped, this Thursday, February 5th at 11:00am ET.

This 75-minute webinar delves even deeper into the SPC tools that SQCpack has to offer such as:

1) Audit trail report
2) Choice lists
3) Named control charts with filters
4) Cpk report
5) Chart titles
6) Control chart annotation
7) Chart workspaces

We hope all of you SQCpack users can join us for this event!

Posted in SQCpack, Software, Training, Webinars | Comments Off