In this expert article, Didier Elain, Quality and Information Systems Manager at Clufix, shares his experience with Skill Software, specifically through the use of the innovative Skill FMEA Pro tool. He highlights the importance of this tool in the continuous improvement and risk management process in the automotive industry. Highlighting the specific challenges he faced, including adapting to new standards and seeking efficiency in FMEA management, Mr. Elain demonstrates how the solution offered by Skill Software has profoundly influenced quality and operational efficiency at Clufix.
Among the highlights of this collaboration are Skill Software's responsiveness and technical support, the software's tangible impact on processing times, and the possible improvements in terms of ergonomics and understanding of automotive-specific standards. Following his journey with Skill Software, we explore how this collaboration has facilitated better risk management, optimized internal processes, and contributed to a better understanding of quality requirements in the automotive sector.
How long have you benefited from Skill Software's services?
We've been associated with Skill Software for about a year and a half to two years.
What software do you use on Skill Software?
We mainly use Skill FMEA Pro, a tool that has become essential to our quality approach.
Skill FMEA Pro is a software package designed to help companies effectively manage Failure Mode, Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMEA). This systematic approach aims to identify and assess potential risks associated with product design or manufacturing processes before they become problematic. By highlighting potential flaws, companies can take preventive measures to reduce or eliminate risks.
The software provides a structured platform where teams can collaborate to analyze risks, assign severity, occurrence and detection scores, and track corrective actions. Skill FMEA Pro is distinguished by its focus on efficiency and ease of use, enabling users to significantly reduce the time spent on FMEA analysis, while improving the quality and consistency of results.
The use of Skill FMEA Pro in an industrial context, such as that of Clufix (a company specializing in mechanical fasteners for the automotive industry), is particularly relevant. The software meets the sector's stringent quality and safety requirements, and helps maintain compliance with international standards and industry-specific regulations. In addition, by optimizing the FMEA analysis process, Skill FMEA Pro contributes to better risk management, increased product reliability and, ultimately, greater customer satisfaction.
What is your role and what are your main challenges?
As Quality and IS Manager at Clufix, we design, manufacture and sell our products. We are currently experiencing significant growth in the automotive industry, which means that we need to find a software solution adapted to the growing requirements of FMEA and monitoring plans.
In the context of the automotive industry, where quality and safety standards are among the most stringent, the Quality and IS Manager must :
- Ensure compliance with international standards: The automotive industry is regulated by stringent standards such as IATF 16949, which is a quality specification based on ISO 9001 specific to the automotive industry. The manager must ensure that all processes and products comply with these standards, including the specific aspects of FMEA (Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analysis), which is a key element in quality risk management.
- Covering risk management and monitoring plans: FMEA is a structured method for identifying and addressing potential risks at every stage of the manufacturing process. For Clufix, effectively integrating FMEA and monitoring plans into existing processes is vital to anticipate and prevent potential failures, thereby reducing non-conformance costs and improving customer satisfaction.
- Helping the company comply with market and technological developments: With the rapid development of new technologies and the ever-changing requirements of the automotive market, the manager must ensure continuous technological and regulatory monitoring, in order to adapt the company's quality processes and information systems accordingly.
Could you tell us why you chose Skill Software, and describe the initial context of your project?
Faced with the growing need for FMEA and the changing standards in the automotive industry, we had to look for suitable software. After a market comparison between Skill Software's solution and another tool, Skill FMEA Pro seemed to us to be the best option, thanks to its simplicity and straightforward approach.
The simplicity of a tool like Skill FMEA Pro can be a significant advantage in an environment where the complexity of processes and standards can be burdensome. Easy-to-use software reduces training time and can improve user adoption.
In addition, the ability of software to adapt and evolve in response to changing industry standards is fundamental. Regular updates and competent technical support are essential to maintain compliance with the latest requirements. Your company's decision to choose Skill can be seen as an alignment with these needs, ensuring a smoother integration of FMEA practices into your day-to-day operations.
Can you quantify or qualify the benefits you have achieved by using Skill FMEA Pro?
We were aiming to halve the time spent on this activity, an ambitious goal which Skill FMEA Pro has helped us to approach, even if there is still room for improvement in certain areas.
How is your collaboration with Skill Software's team going? Are there any specific processes or methodologies in place?
The collaboration involved initial training followed by ongoing support. This approach is much appreciated, as it provides constant support, which is essential for putting acquired knowledge into practice.
Initial training is essential to ensure that all users understand the software's basic functionalities and operational processes. In the case of Clufix, this enables them to align themselves with the specific requirements of the automotive industry, particularly with regard to FMEA and monitoring plans. Initial training should be thorough enough to cover all the basic aspects of the software, yet accessible enough to avoid information overload.
What do you find most satisfying about Skill Software's offering, and why?
Their responsiveness is exceptional. When a problem arises, their presence and availability are second to none.
The responsiveness and availability of a software supplier are essential criteria when choosing a professional tool, especially in high value-added sectors such as the automotive industry. This responsiveness is not only a guarantee of reliability, but also a pillar of continuity in day-to-day business operations.
When a problem arises, a rapid, efficient response can limit downtime and reduce potential losses. What's more, the availability of responsive, problem-solving customer service reflects the supplier's commitment to its customers, reinforcing the trust and long-term relationship between the two parties.
Choosing a partner like Skill Software, who values responsiveness and availability, can be a decisive factor in maintaining optimum performance and ensuring the success of continuous improvement projects.
If you had to sum up your experience with Skill Software in one sentence, what would you say?
Skill Software provides an efficient solution for our FMEA needs, saving us precious time.
