Quality Control Results

In order to utilize the Quality Control features in Deacom, the following must first be configured in the system:

Quality Control Tests - Describes the base name of the test to be performed in the system. Once created, Quality Control Tests are assigned to a Quality Control Group.
Quality Control Groups - Defines the list of sequenced QC Tests for the group to perform. Once created, QC Groups are added to a Bill of Materials or directly to a Part's Item Master QC/Stability Tests tab.
Quality Control Security Groups - Allows individual users to be assigned to specific Quality Control Tests for the purpose of QC entry and approval. QC Security Groups are assigned to each QC Test when added to a QC Group. Users or User Groups are then assigned to the appropriate Quality Control Security Groups via System > Maintenance > Quality Control Group Security.

Approval and security

QC results may be entered without requiring approval before users may click the "Finish QC" button and place items into regular inventory or failed QC inventory. The QC approval process involves the ability to review and indicate final approval for those QC Groups that require this check and also the ability to approve individual QC results that are out of spec for manufactured items. Several different security options and features are available to ensure QC results are validated, including:

General QC Approval - Determined by the "Approval Type" field on the QC Group.
E-Signature Approval - Available on the Quality Control Group level.
Approving Out Of Spec QC Results - A QC result is considered within specification if the result is between the minimum and maximum values defined on the QC Test. The "Must Pass QC To Continue" flag is an optional setting located on each QC item within the QC Group. If this flag is set, the QC result must be between the minimum and maximum values before the material can be accepted into regular inventory.

Process options

Failing material - The "Fail QC" flag on the Quality Control Results form is used to indicate that items have failed the QC process. Once checked, users will click the "Finish QC" button to specify the inventory location for failed QC items. There is no specific access to prevent users from using the "Fail QC" check box. General security does exist, however, to control access to the Quality Control Results form which contains the "Fail QC" box. When entering QC results, failed tests will be shown in red for easy identification.
Re-testing or reworking material - The Move to "QC Pending" option on the Move Inventory form allows entire lots that were tested previously to be re-tested. Lots that were produced, tested, and placed into inventory may be moved to "QC Pending" and tested via Job > QC Testing. Rework involves using previously processed sub-components or portions marked as failed. In Deacom, the rework portion to be used can be added using the Produce Assemblies function. For more information, refer to Re-testing Material.
Multiple testing passes - Multiple QC results may be entered as necessary, provided the QC test(s) have not been flagged as "Complete" on the Edit QC Results form and the QC process has not been finished by clicking the "Finish QC" button. If multiple results or passes have been entered for a QC test, the system will create a new line on the Quality Control Results form and indicate the appropriate pass in the "Pass" column. There are no limits to the number of passes that may be entered.
Marking material as At-Risk - Items that are pending QC testing can be released via the "Mark At-Risk" button on the Quality Control Results form. Separate security exists to control access to this button and should be restricted for general users. Once items have been released via the “Mark At-Risk” button they may be issued, finished on production jobs, and shipped. For more information, refer to Managing At-Risk Inventory.
Performing QC on Lots in transit - Lots in the "Pending QC" status may be selected when shipping Inter-Company Transfers. Users will be able to perform QC testing while lots are in transit and also when they have been received at the receiving Facility.
Completing empty tests - Quality Control Groups contain a "Complete Empty Tests" flag, which is useful in situations where QC will be performed incrementally on Jobs since users will be able to enter QC via the Close/Relieve form without having to go back to the first pass of QC results and enter values for tests not completed in that pass. When this flag is checked, the system will complete empty tests with empty values and move them to the Quality Control Results form. When unchecked, the system will only move tests that have values to the Quality Control Results form. Another option is to add a Default Value to the QC Test, which will automatically fill each test value with the designated number that will allow the test to complete. This is useful if many fields of a test are not used except for specific cases, for example setting the Default Value to "0", which is effectively a "no" and can switch any tests that are a "yes" in that instance to a "1" value.
Un-grouping Lots - Once Lots are tested as part of a group, when entering results again at a later time, selecting one Lot will automatically select the other already-tested Lots. An example of when this would happen is when testing pallets of material. For Lots already tested, attempting to test that Lot with other untested Lots is not allowed by the system. Users that have the security setting "Quality Control - Un-Group QC" set to Yes may use the "Un-Group" button on the Purchasing > QC Result Entry and/or Production > QC Result Entry] forms.
- Note: This option is only available for post-production QC. When this button is clicked, the Lots on the right-hand side of the mover form that have the same QC Groups will be ungrouped and all previously entered QC results will be cleared.
Re-grouping Lots - Previously un-grouped lots/QC results can be re-grouped. Results that have been re-grouped will only show new QC results after the re-group has taken place, with no way of viewing the previously entered QC results. See the Un-Grouping/Re-Grouping Lots help section for additional details.

Additional information regarding QC results

The results of QC testing are available for printing on the majority of Part Forms used throughout the system. Examples include lot labels, PO labels, and Certificates of Analysis. Additionally, QC user-defined fields are available in the system and QC variables are now accessible on the C of A report. These variables can be accessed through two methods:

In the QCINFO block, simply use the field name that needs to be added to the report (i.e. field "u_approver_1" should be written in the report as "u_approver_1").
Through m.notation.simple, put m.u_approver_1 (or whatever the field name is) into the report to produce that value on the report.

The "QC Values" button can be set to allow users with the correct access to modify QC Values on the Inventory Reporting Inventory History and Inventory Lots reports. If a user editing QC results is timed out due to inactivity, their unsaved changes will be removed and kicked from the system so other users can continue editing. If the user has the security option "Inventory -- modify QC results" set to Yes, the "Modify" option will be enabled on the View QC form, even if the lot has been shipped or the job has been finished. The "q5_approvedby" field (form the dtqc5 table) can be added to the View QC form. This variable will indicate the user name of the user that approved QC results, which may be different then the user who entered results. This field is available to the Job and PO Detail/Summary reports as well as the View QC form.

System Navigation

Production > QC Result Entry > "Continue" button
Purchasing > QC Result Entry > "Continue" button
"QC Values" button available to multiple reports
"QC Values" button when modifying a Job.

Quality Control Results form

Opened via the "Continue" or "QC Values" buttons available throughout the system, the Quality Control Results form is used to approve, fail, and/or finish QC.

Displays any previously entered QC results, or a blank form if no results have been previously entered.
The QC Unit of Measure and Unit of Measure name are available for display in the grid of this form.

Button/Field/Flag	Description
Finish QC	Saves the results displayed and concludes current QC process.
Add	Opens the Edit QC Results form and allows users to enter new sets of test results.
Delete	Allows users with appropriate access to delete only tests that have been added via the "Add" button on the Edit QC Results form.
Modify	Opens the Edit QC Results form and allows users with the appropriate security to change existing results
View History	Displays a list of all approvals entered for this Job, including the user who entered and approved the results.
View Lots	Opens an Inventory "Lot Summary" report for the Lots in testing. Users can only print or email from this form, not modify.
Mark At-Risk	Releases Lots that are pending QC testing and marks them as At-Risk then brings the user back to the original form accessed prior to reaching the Quality Control Results form. The QC tab in Inventory > Options contains a field, "At-Risk Inventory Implosion" that determines which lots will be marked as failed when the At-Risk lot being tested is marked as failed during Production QC Result Entry.
QC Group	Displays the name of the QC Group for which results are being entered.
QC Time	Displays the point at which QC testing must be performed. For example, Parts assigned a Quality Control Group that is flagged to "Do QC After Production" will display "After production" in this field.
Lots	Memo field that lists the Postref, Part Number, User Lot, and Quantity for the results listed.
QC Approval	Displays the "Approval Type" as dictated on the QC Group.
E-Signature	Displays the E-Signature requirements as dictated by the "Require E-Signature for Approval" and "Require E-Signature for Results" flags on the QC Group. e-Signatures within Deacom are integrated and authenticated with the Okta SSO. If Okta is selected as the SSO method in System > Options, users will be prompted to enter their Okta credentials on any/all e-Signatures forms in the system. The prompt will read "Please enter your OKTA credentials". This supports 21 CRF Part 11 compliance. Note: if multiple users enter production QC results during a testing pass for the same test group in the same job simultaneously, the system will record the users that entered each test in the q5_resultapproved field in the appropriate quality control grids/reports.
Approve QC	If checked and required by the QC Group (via the "Approval Required" or "E-Signature" flags), sends tested Lots to regular inventory, even if the results entered did not meet the requirements specified. In situations where an item has multiple QC Groups, the "Approve QC" flag on this form will be enabled if any QC Group requires approval. The security setting "Quality control -- Approve QC with no entered results" is available in the system. If set, the "Approve QC" check box will be active when viewing QC results even if there are no test results. Upon clicking the check box, if there are no results, the user will be prompted with "You have not entered any QC results, are you sure you want to approve QC?" Clicking Yes will check the box. If there are any tests that are flagged as required, the user will receive the prompt for missing required tests. Useful in situations where companies have tests that are not flagged as required or must pass but still need a way to indicate that these tests have been completed or will be marked as completed.
Fail QC	If checked, sends tested lots to the Failed QC segment. Only check if this round of testing is the only or last that will be performed. Once a Lot is flagged as Failed QC, the options are return it to the Vendor (if purchased), dispose of it, or use as-is.

Edit QC Results form

Opened via the "Add" or "Modify" buttons on the Quality Control Results form, the Edit QC Results form displays all tests that need to be completed.

Double clicking on a QC Test from the list will open the Modify QC Result form, used to enter results.
When a QC result is added, the q4_date and q4_time is added to the q4 table.

Button/Field	Description
Apply	Applies the QC Results entered and returns the user to the Quality Control Results form.
Add	Allows users with the appropriate access to add another QC Test to this run of the process.
QC Group	Displays the name of the QC Group for which results are being entered.

Edit Quality Control Item form

Opened via the "Add" button on the Edit QC Results form, the Edit Quality Control Item form is used to add additional QC Tests to be performed for this run of the process.

Field/Flag	Description
Quality Control Test	Search field used to select a Quality Control Test.
QC Test Group	Search field used to select a Quality Control Security Group.
Description	Used to enter a description of the test.
Target Value	Memo field used to enter a target value for the test. Maximum length is 120 characters.
Default Value	Memo field used to enter a default value for the test. Maximum length is 120 characters.
Min Value	Used to dictate the minimum acceptable value for the test.
Max Value	Used to dictate the maximum acceptable value for the test. Deacom accepts tests with a Minimum and no Maximum. In this case, QC results will pass if the result is greater than the Minimum and the Maximum is set to 0.
Min Detectable	Used to indicate that an amount/emission was evident but below the stated detectable level for the test, the testing equipment, or both. A default Minimum Detectable value may be set on tests via Quality Control Groups. This field is available for printing on C of A Part Forms.
Picture	Used to define the mask or format in which testing results should be entered.
Aggregate Type	Pick list used to dictate which test results, when multiple results for one test are entered, should be included on C of As. Options are: Average Last Max Min Weighted Avg
Notes	Memo field used to store notes regarding this run of the test.
Required	If checked, a result for this test must be entered before a pass of QC testing can be accepted.
Must Pass QC To Continue	If checked, indicates that the testing value must be between the "Min Value" and the "Max Value" in order for the material to be accepted into regular inventory. Separate security is available that allows a user to override failed tests that are flagged as "Must Pass QC to Continue". QC Tests may be set with a Minimum but no Maximum. In this case, QC results will pass if the result is greater than the Minimum and the Maximum is set to 0.
Print On Forms	If checked, the entered results will print on Part Forms.
Print On POs	If checked, the entered results will print on Purchase Order documents.
Require Notes	If checked, the user is required to enter notes via the memo fields when entering results. The "Results Notes" field on the Modify QC Result form will be displayed in blue when this flag is checked to better alert users when multiple QC Tests are present

Modify QC Result form

Opened via double clicking on a QC Test from the list in the Edit QC Results form, the Modify QC Result form is used to enter QC Test results.\

Field/Flag	Description
QC Test	Displays the name of the Quality Control Test being performed.
Description	Displays the Description of the Quality Control Test being performed.
Value	Used to enter the value obtained from testing.
Complete	If checked, this test is considered complete and will not be performed again. The system will remove test from subsequent QC testing. If a test is flagged as "Must Pass", users will not be able to check the "Complete" flag unless the value in the "Results" field is a passing value as defined by the test min/max range. In cases were a "Must Past" test has in fact failed, users will need to enter the failing result, click the "Apply" button, and then check the "Fail QC" flag on the Quality Control Results form, which marks the QC as failed. If the lot needs to pass QC, then contacting a user with the proper security ("Jobs -- approve out-of-spec QC") will allow them to run the test again, check the "Approve QC" flag, and Finish QC.
Target	Displays the desired value for the QC test. This is a memo field to support both numeric and non-numeric test results.
Min	Displays the minimum accepted value for QC test.
Max	Displays the maximum accepted value for QC test. Deacom accepts tests with a Minimum and no Maximum. In this case, QC results will pass if the result is greater than the Minimum and the Maximum is set to 0.
Required	Indicates whether a result for this test must be entered before a pass of QC testing can be accepted.
Must Pass	Indicates that the testing value must be between the "Min Value" and the "Max Value" in order for the material to be accepted into regular inventory. Separate security is available that allows a user to override failed tests that are flagged as "Must Pass QC to Continue". QC tests may be set with a Minimum but no Maximum. In this case, QC results will pass if the result is greater than the Minimum and the Maximum is set to 0.
Min Detectable	Used to indicate that an amount/emission was evident but below the stated detectable level for the test, the testing equipment, or both. A default Minimum Detectable value may be set on tests via Quality Control Groups. This field is available for printing on C of A Part Forms.
Test Notes	Displays notes that are entered via the "Edit Notes" button on the Edit QC Results form. Users can hover the mouse pointer over the word "memo" in the column to see the complete notes.
Result Notes	Memo field used to display notes as entered on the Quality Control Test. Users can hover the mouse pointer over the word "memo" in the column to see the complete notes. This field will be displayed in blue if the "Require Notes" field is checked on the Edit Quality Control Item form.

Finish QC form

Opened via the "Finish QC" button once all appropriate values have been entered and the QC process is ready to be flagged as finished, this form is used to indicate the Location where approved or failed items will be placed.

Button/Field/Flag	Description
Continue	Completes the tests being performed and returns the user to the original form used to access the Quality Control Results form.
Location Source	Pick list used to indicate if the default, current, or a user-specified Location should be used to store the material. Default is set via the "Post QC Location" field on the Inventory > Options > QC tab.
Location Type	Defines the Location Type of where material will be stored. Default value is provided from the Item Master General 1 tab.
Location	Defines the physical Location where the item(s) will be placed. Default value provided from the Item Master General 1 tab.
Override Lot Values	If checked, the user is allowed to modify the "Attribute 1-3" and "Expiration Date" fields. Requires "Inventory -- modify attributes" security permission.
Attribute 1-3	If attributes are being used to store physical characteristics that are determined during QC testing (Density, Strength, etc.), existing information is displayed and can be modified if "Override Attributes" is checked.
Density	Displays the density of the Lots and allows users to enter actual density if the "Measured Density" flag on the Item Master Properties tab is flagged. When using the Produce Assemblies transaction, users have the option to enter the actual density.
Expiration Date	Populated with the existing Expiration Date, but may be overridden if the "Override Lot Values" flag is checked.
Finish Date	Defaults to the current date, but can be changed to reflect that the material was tested and moved to regular inventory on a prior date.
Inventory Notes	Memo field used to store comments to be attached to the inventory lot (fi_notes). When approving QC results that are out of spec, users will be required to enter an explanation in this field.
QC Notes	Memo field used to store comments to be attached to the "QC Approvals" field (q5_notes).
Print Lot Label	If checked, a Lot label will print for the material just passed out of QC testing.