QUALITY IN THE 90S IS MORE THAN JUST STATISTICAL PROCESS-CONTROL

Quality in the 90s will be focused on the customer, not the producer. Statistical process control is a start but not enough to stay competit ive in the future. To have a competitive edge in the '90s, quality wil l require on-time deliveries with short notice, more consistent materi al within an ever narrower set of specifications, and more products pr oduced by a smaller workforce. In order to respond to these needs, ope rating companies will have to add capability above their supervisory p rocess control systems in an integrated, open fashion. Functions such as quality control laboratory, planning, scheduling and customer servi ces will need to be coupled together.