In mid-October, we released the industry’s first Solution Selection Guide for Enterprise Quality Management Software (EQMS). Because the software space for quality management is ill-defined, we felt that this was not only necessary, but could also serve as a critical resource for industrial and manufacturing decision makers.
Choosing an EQMS solution is a process that can consume considerable resources and be a source of much confusion for industry executives. To help smooth this process, LNS believes our EQMS Solution Selection Guide should be the first stop on the journey. With 18 of the market’s top vendors covered in depth, it provides executives with everything needed to make a shortlist of potential EQMS solutions.
Over the past month, we’ve been blogging about vendors listed within the publication, touching briefly on strengths, weaknesses, functionalities, industries served, technology architectures and more. The information provided is based on a number of briefings with vendors as well as our own analyses of the market.
This week, we’re covering Colorado-based software company IHS, an up-and-coming provider of EQMS functionalities.
A Brief Overview of IHS
IHS is a vendor long known for its service-based offerings, and more recently, through a number of acquisitions, as a provider of Enterprise Sustainability Management (ESM) software. In addition to investments around the sustainability space, IHS has also acquired capabilities in Operational Risk Management (ORM). Its ORM capabilities and existing expertise position it as a rising player in the EQMS space.
Of the numerous acquisitions in recent years, IHS’s acquisition of Dyadem in 2010 has been the source of a majority of its EQMS functionalities. The organization refers to its EQMS functionalities as Quality Risk Management, which is included as part of the overall ORM solution. IHS’s Quality Risk Management solution helps companies account for how both quality and risk impact the complete product lifecycle.
The vendor’s solution touches a number of industries, with strength in aerospace and defense, automotive, chemicals, mining, oil and gas, and utilities. A majority of IHS’s customers come from risk-intensive industries. These customers may be looking for a solution that helps to mitigate risk and ensure quality in the product itself or in the manufacturing process.
In addition to risk management, the Quality Risk Management solution is also strong in incident management, risk assessment (including Failure Mode and Effects Analysis functionalities), corrective and preventive actions, and audit management. It can be viewed as a good choice for organizations that want to focus on product quality, effectively managing operational risk, and managing sustainability holistically.
A Deeper Look at IHS
For a more extensive overview of IHS, read LNS Research’s EQMS Solution Selection Guide. It covers industries served, specific functionalities included with its EQMS, company sizes served, geographies covered, technology delivery platforms, and technology delivery models. The guide also breaks down the vendor’s central attributes by total coverage areas, areas of strength, and areas of emerging strength.
Reviewing the analysis of IHS alongside the other 17 vendors covered, executives can take a comparative approach to selecting an EQMS solution. They will have everything needed to produce a shortlist of potential EQMS vendors for their organization’s implementation. More quality management software vendor write-ups can be found on our site as well.
If you are currently using or considering IHS’s software, we would like to hear about your experiences. Please feel free to reach us by email at info@lnsresearch.com.
For this selection and implementation, more information can be found in the links below:
Research Spotlights:
Enterprise Quality Management Software Best Practices Guide
Top Integration Points for Enterprise Quality Management Software
Blogs:
Top 3 Strategies for Selecting an EQMS Solution
EQMS: Understanding the Drivers behind Global Adoption
Realizing Operational Excellence through EQMS
