The global aerospace community is pushing manufacturers to earn AS9100 certification. Certification can make or break an aerospace manufacturing firm, so it’s important to be aware of the recent updates to the standard — AS9100 Revision D — which took effect in September 2018.
AS9100 Revision D makes sweeping changes to how manufacturing companies track and report quality. Most of those changes relate to how companies implement their Quality Management System (QMS) and then use it to track and report quality of their products.
Manufacturers must adapt or face the consequences of losing the AS9100 certification — such as canceled contracts and damaged customer relationships. AS9100 Rev D includes a vast set of policies that are substantially different than those that came before it, and adapting to it requires having the right technology in place to make the pivot. Here’s how your ERP system helps your organization remain compliant with AS9100 Rev D.
ERP Plays a Key Role in AS9100 Compliance
Because ERP is a tool for data management, it is by nature also a powerful tool for compliance management. Staying within the boundaries of international regulations or certifications like AS9100 requires the ability to track the details closely and adjust the variables carefully. ERP makes that possible by reporting and delivering all relevant information to one central location and providing real-time updates. Here are just a few specific examples:
- ERP can be used to monitor various points in the supply chain for quality deficiencies. Rather than letting those deficiencies put your AS9100 certification at risk, you can fix them before they degrade overall product quality.
- ERP helps to circumvent the impact of faulty equipment, preventing it from jeopardizing product quality. Your ERP solution can flag and manage important maintenance needs, such as equipment calibration so that your manufacturing firm can meet the standards for the first article inspection outlined in the standard.
- Earning AS9100 certification requires companies to pass an extensive audit. ERP makes the audit process easier, as the system stores all your required information in one central location. Anything the auditors may need from you is conveniently accessible on demand.
To understand just how efficient it is to manage compliance using ERP, consider what it would be like not to have your ERP system. Documenting your quality management system would require endless manual input, exhaustive efforts to integrate data, and a constant commitment to fixing errors. Instead of being a competitive asset, striving to earn AS9100 certification would become an embarrassing obstacle without an ERP solution to manage the requirements.
Navigating AS9100 Standard's QMS Requirements
Ensuring Compliance through Risk-Based Management
To achieve and maintain AS9100 certification, aerospace manufacturers need to navigate the updated QMS standards set by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG). By focusing on risk management and the continual improvement of quality management system requirements, organizations can streamline their operational risk assessments and comply with evolving regulatory requirements.
Conducting AS9100 Audits for Certification
Preparing for Internal Audits and Customer Satisfaction
AS9100 audits demand rigorous preparation, especially for internal audits. Regular management reviews are crucial for evaluating design and development processes, production processes, and overall customer satisfaction. Successfully passing these audits requires a comprehensive understanding of the standard and a proactive approach to quality management.
Stay Compliant So You Can Stay Competitive
AS9100 Rev D is the most recent regulatory change to hit the aerospace industry, but it certainly won’t be the last. Each time the standard is updated, companies must carefully review and update their compliance policies—a largely disruptive yet unavoidable undertaking.
ERP helps companies navigate compliance, by enabling self-assessments, providing data analysis for process optimization, storing and centralizing all company policies, and supporting organizations during compliance audits. When all your data and processes are stored in one centralized platform, it’s easier to make enterprise-wide changes.
Not only that but every project and team member can be brought up to date with the current compliance requirements in one sweep. Since all stakeholders can access the same ERP platform, one update renders everyone’s workflow compliant. ERP minimizes risks while making compliance-related updates quick and comprehensive.
Streamlining Supply Chain and Configuration Management
Aligning with Additional Requirements for AS9100 Certification
Manufacturers aiming to be AS9100 certified must prioritize configuration management and supply chain optimization. By adhering to the additional requirements laid out by the AS9100 standard, companies can better manage operational risk and align with global QMS standards for aerospace quality.
With the update of AS9100 Revision D, we expect this gold-standard certification to carry even more cache in the aerospace industry. If your company hopes to earn certification for the first time or renew your existing certification, your ERP solution is key. Contact Cre8tive Technology & Design (Opens in a new window) for a consultation.