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Choosing Calibration Management Software

Jul 27, 01:47 PM , , Al Weisenborn , Comment

For those of you that are looking for Calibration Management Software you may find the listed links to be useful. If you have any relevant links that you would like to share please add them to the comments.

Tracking Down the Right Gage Software
Evaluating Calibration Software
How to Select Calibration Management Software
How to Choose Calibration Management Software
The Changing Face of Calibration & Management – Calibration Software

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Tracking Training

May 1, 08:28 PM , , Al Weisenborn , Comment [1]

Today I was asked if TrackPro could be used to schedule annual certification training a company requires for its technicians. My first reaction was that TrackPro is not particularly well suited to this task. Well, TrackPro may not be well suited to this task, but it certainly better than no system at all. So here’s an approach you might take.

  1. Open the Add Item Wizard
  2. Enter a description of the training in the “Item Description”
  3. Don’t bother with the “Model Number” Field
  4. Click “Next”
  5. Enter or select a “Custodian” from the list; this will be the person to be trained.
  6. Enter or select a “Location” from the list; this is not really neccessary but you’ve got to enter something to proceed.
  7. Enter something like N/A – Training in the “Manufacturer” field for the same reason as above
  8. Click “Next”
  9. Don’t enter anything in the “Contract Agency” Field
  10. You may want to enter a short description (<=30 characters) in the “Category” field. This will make it possible to sort reports by training category.
  11. Click “Next”
  12. Ensure “Item Status” is Active
  13. Enter the word Training in the “Item Type” list
  14. Enter the “Action Interval”
  15. Enter the last date of training in the “Last Action Date” field
  16. The “Due Date” field will be calculated for you
  17. Click “Next”
  18. Click “Next”
  19. Click “Finish”

Enter the remainder of your training items. In Version 2.5.0000 and higher this will be facilitated by the “Clone Item” Command button on the first page of the Add Item Wizard.

When you want to run a training report be sure to select “Training” in the “Show Item Types” list box. If desired, you may group reports by Custodian (person to be trained). Please note that only the Action Items, Item List, Activity, and Notices reports will be useful regarding training.

OK, this is not perfect but it’s better than being caught by an auditor with no records at all.

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Calibration Audit Findings

Apr 21, 01:13 PM , , Al Weisenborn , Comment

I have been an auditor in the Medical Device field for over 21 years. I have performed external audits as a supplier QAE, internal audits as an employee, and in my most recent reincarnation as an independent consultant. During this time, I have identified an aspect of having a calibration program that is fundamental but is often misunderstood or ignored.

Past Due Equipment

Here’s what happens:

  1. You are in the shop or in a lab and you observe someone using and instrument.
  2. You ask to see if the instrument to check the calibration sticker.
  3. Fortunately you find one; however, the instrument is past due.
  4. You take some notes about the Cal ID number, the date calibrated, the date due, and other information for formulating the observation.

On the surface this appears to be straight forward observation such as; a micrometer, Calibration ID 347, past due for calibration, was observed in use the production area. All too often corrective action for this observation is to calibrate the instrument and return it to service. This addresses the observation…right???

As far as the corrective action goes it solves the immediate problem of the instrument being past due for calibration. If the instrument is found out of calibration you would need to study the potential impact but this is not the subject of today’s discussion. We need to ask some questions:

  1. Do the company’s calibration procedures require that the instrument be checked for status before use?
  2. Did the operator receive adequate training to perform their job?
  3. Was the operator pressured to “Get the Job Done” despite knowing the status of the instrument?
  4. What was the the nature of the failure of the calibration recall program that permitted the instrument to be available for use?
  5. Is using a “Past Due” instrument considered unimportant at your company?

The foregoing list is not inclusive but is designed to help establish the root cause of the problem. If you don’t know the root cause your preventive action is likely to be unsuccessful.

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