A FRAMEWORK OF DISTRIBUTED QUALITY-CONTROL

Historically, members of the supply chain exchanged quality-related in formation in a static, cumbersome manner. With recent advances in inte rnet technologies, we propose that a new distributed quality control f ramework is possible. The proposed framework will support an initiativ e that integrates state-of-the-art information technologies with quali ty control tools for swift product design, process design, and quality assurance. The biggest impact of the proposed approach is that custom ers can be involved in decision making about product quality while the manufacturing of ordered products is being planned and produced, and after production at a supplier's facility is complete, without physica lly being there. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.