ISO/IATF Compliance in Auto-Component Manufacturing: A Functional Perspective

In the ever-competitive auto-component manufacturing industry, maintaining quality is a must. To meet customer expectations and global disposition compliance, industry standards such as ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 must be satisfied. These standards show that quality management systems (QMS) exist, processes are controlled, and improvement is continuous. The challenge arises in following through on processes and daily compliance, and software platforms, such as Manufapp, help meet those challenges.

Let’s focus on the processes included in Manufapp to help manufacturers meet ISO/IATF requirements through a functional lens.

1. Document Management: Supporting Controlled Workflows

ISO/IATF requirements state that processes, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and work instructions must be well documented. Manufapp makes certain those far too often long processes documented in an SOP or work instruction are digitalized and can be accessed on the shop floor. It allows version control and approval workflows and supports the team in utilizing the right process at the right time—which is crucial during an audit.

2. Real-Time Quality Checks and Inspection Data

Part of the IATF standard, IPQC, and IQC are critical quality checks to verify the ability to deliver a reliable product. Manufapp records inspection parameters and inspection check sheets as they are carried out, decreasing the opportunity for errors and preserving a complete quality history. This is important during audits, as the auditor scrutinizes how consistent the quality checks are and the traceability of these records.

3. Traceability Across Material and Processes

Another key to IATF audits is traceability. Manufapp allows manufacturers to trace everything digitally from the receipt of raw materials to the final assembly. It allows the auditor to trace which materials and processes were involved in making any finished goods—auditable transparency at all stages of production.

4. Vendor Performance & QMS Insight

Part of ISO 9001 requirements is the evaluation of suppliers for performance and adherence to the QMS. Using Manufapp allows manufacturers to quantify vendor performance based on quality data and delivery performance. Based on undocumented data, Manufapp can tell if vendors are complying with ISO 9001 standards and improve data-based decision-making along with the larger supply chain.

5. Customer Complaints and CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Actions)

Receiving customer complaints is unavoidable, but how we handle them denotes quality excellence. CAPA documentation and follow-up are required for ISO/IATF compliance, and customers would expect some form of CAPA documentation. Manufapp helps manufacturers document complaints, determine root causes, and trace corrective and preventive actions to closure. This organized approach addresses the customer issues and builds discretion when the time for audit arrives.

6. Visual Dashboards for KPIs and KAIs

You can’t improve what you do not measure. Manufapp provides dashboards, reporting capabilities, and visual displays for Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Key Activity Indicators (KAIs). To help leadership monitor KPIs, ensure action is completed to meet quality objectives, and let quality leadership input on the audit.

Conclusion

ISO/IATF compliance is not about filling in forms; it is about performing actions to address a culture of quality and continuous improvement. Manufapp provides a shift from a manual experience to a smart automated combination, which not only brings the audit away from the season but also instills an innovative approach to improve any quality management system. When manufacturers align their technology with a primary quality goal, they process to provide outcomes and evidence that meet industry expectations. At the end of the process, manufacturers can agree that every component that leaves the shop floor is audit-ready and approved with customers’ permission to make processes sustainable.

Ready to simplify your audits and improve your QMS? Contact us today to see how Manufapp can change your compliance process.