I've been wondering how the whole multiple spec functionality in QM has been received and how folks like it or don't like it.
I helped implement this at one chemical firm a few years back. Since then I believe they have had mixed feelings about it.
I've been told that the maintenance of the specs is a real pain and the learning curve difficult for people that have to learn it due to normal employee turnover/promotions etc.
There were also some issues with LIMS integration, in particular getting the qualitative characteristics for customer specs to properly valuate and close when transferred from LIMS. From what I understand, SAP has been slow to offer any solution.
One of the things it also results in is that all plans have to be managed using the workbench (CWBQM) which in and of itself can have a steep learning curve.
Another issue was that it could only use copied characteristics and no reference characteristics. This thus forced all material specs to be maintained fully in the plans. Something I've never personally been a real fan of.
But at the time, and given the requirements of the project it seemed like the best solution.
So now that it has been available for awhile, I'd like to hear some other feedback from people and firms who have implemented and used it for awhile. Or from folks that recently decided to implement or not implement it and why they choose the route that they did.
My goal is to write a series of blogs on the multitude of ways that product and customer specifications can be handled in SAP. There are a number of them and I think few people, (including many consultants), really have a strong grasp of all the various approaches. Most seem to have a certain way they "like" and it usually relates back to what they were taught or shown first! But as we all know, one solution never fits everyone. I have my own thoughts as to what I think is "ideal" but I try to realize not all companies can do it that way. I try to provide a few viable options with the given pros/cons of each and let the client choose a particular path.
So for this discussion.. lets hear your thoughts on multiple specification functionality!!
FF