Cloud-Based QMS vs. On-Premise QMS
We have previously discussed setting up a cloud-based quality management system and 10 reasons why you should go for a cloud-based QMS. Before choosing a cloud-driven QMS, we would like to mention the main benefits of going cloud-based instead of on-premise. Let’s compare the differences.
What Is a Cloud-Based QMS?
A cloud-based quality management system (QMS) is an online application that provides all the necessary functions to manage your manufacturing processes and products. The software can be accessed from anywhere in the world via the internet.
What Is an On-Premise QMS?
An on-premise QMS is installed on premises and usually consists of several hardware components such as servers. This type of QMS is more expensive than a cloud-based solution since it requires additional investments in terms of hardware.
Benefits of Using a Cloud-Driven QMS:
A cloud-based QMS is more cost-effective than a traditional on-site QMS due to lower costs per user.
In addition to ease of use and cost savings, cloud-based quality solutions can also:
1. Reduce Data Security Risks
On-premise quality management software increases the risk of data security breaches and ransomware. Many companies used to think that data had to be kept inside their own four walls for security. With the digital revolution upon us and the rise of the Internet of Things, manufacturers now understand that their data is safer in the cloud than it was in the past.
One reason for this could be that there’s a greater chance of data breach and ransomware when security is managed by smaller teams. On-premise quality management software and data behind their own firewall limits the frequency of system penetration tests.
A cloud-based quality management system includes a multitude of people who are responsible for data security and perform daily system penetration tests. By doing so, they can rapidly identify and address any security issues and ensure the protection of their clients’ data.
2. Provide Greater Visibility into the Data
To manage quality effectively, you have to be able to see data. The challenge here is that many on-premise quality management software often operate in silos, which makes them difficult to integrate into one system. It can be difficult for companies to integrate additional systems, including regulatory and manufacturing, into their quality management software. This means that there are limited insights into the data across the enterprise.
Cloud-based solutions offer a flexible option for integrating external systems. It allows manufacturers to gain insight into their data, in real-time, through the use of a cloud-based central repository. This data can be analyzed and reported on quickly and easily.
3. Provide a Pathway into Quality 4.0
Manual, paper-driven systems simply don’t align with Quality 4.0 and hinder digital transformation for companies still using those processes for managing quality. To truly transform into a proactive organization with Quality 4.0, organizations must have access to vast amounts of data in real-time and be able to compile, store, and access it quickly and efficiently. It’s not possible in on-premise quality management software.
Cloud-based quality management systems seamlessly integrate internal and external processes and technologies to help organizations truly embrace and benefit from Quality 4.0. These systems enable manufacturers to analyze data in ways never possible until now.