Hertzler Systems' Evan Miller Profiled in Food Quality by Thomas R. Cutler

Evan J. Miller, developer of Hertzler Systems' GainSeeker Suite, an automated SPC software system, cited a recent benchmarking report by the Aberdeen Group, "The Cost of Quality: Benchmarking Enterprise Quality Management," which states that automated SPC is the number one tool used by best-in-class manufacturers. The research shows that best-in-class performers were nearly three times more likely to be using automated SPC systems and that use of these systems had the strongest correlation to performance than all other quality tools available.

Automated SPC can have a powerful impact in a number of areas affecting food quality. Often the fastest payback comes in the areas of net weight control and product giveaway reduction. This is especially true with skyrocketing food and petroleum prices. Automated SPC also has a profound impact on other areas, including HACCP data, process data such as processing temperatures and pressures, and even some of the soft, transactional data such as transportation cycle times and on-time delivery.

Manufacturing journalist Thomas R. Cutler, profiled the importance of statistical process control in Food Quality magazine. The complete article may be read at http://foodquality.com/mag/10012008_11012008/fq_10012008_QC1.html.

Various sources say statistical process control's power lies in its ability to monitor both process and variation. Collecting data from food samples at various points within the process enables detection and correction of variations in the process that would affect the end product's quality. Along with reducing waste, SPC lessens the likelihood that problems will be passed on to the customer. With its emphasis on early detection and prevention of problems, SPC has a distinct advantage over rudimentary quality methods, such as inspection, that apply resources to detecting and correcting problems in the end-deliverable food product.

Automated SPC gives food processors instant knowledge of process variation and, because it is far more sensitive to shifts in the process than pass/fail data, response time is that much faster when problems arise. Moreover, this data can be used in aggregate to improve a manufacturer's understanding of the underlying causes of variation, making it possible to systematically drive variation out of the process.

In addition to reducing waste, SPC often leads to a reduction in the time required to produce the food product; the diminished likelihood that the final product will have to be reworked may also result from using SPC data to identify bottlenecks, wait times, and other sources of delay within the process. Process cycle time reductions, coupled with improvements in yield, have made SPC a valuable tool from both cost reduction and customer satisfaction perspectives.

Hertzler Systems (www.hertzler.com) provides seamless, accurate data acquisition solutions that drive business transformation. The company provides the leading real-time data acquisition and analytics software, the GainSeeker Suite. This powerful and flexible system is best used by lean and progressive companies. Gainseeker Suite allows companies to connect with devices and other information systems, collecting data and alarming key personnel when problems arise; this technology allows organizations to analyze data for root cause problems, converting data into knowledge.

Hertzler Systems has been a leader in Statistical Process Control and Six Sigma for over twenty years, and includes a diverse customer base in service, transactional and manufacturing environments; clients include BAE Systems, Crown Audio, IDEX Corporation, McCormick & Company, Inc., Hormel Foods Corporation, Titleist & Footjoy, and TaylorMade-Adidas Golf Worldwide. The company's software and services enable clients to collect and analyze data; building a robust data infrastructure for making data-driven decisions. These capabilities help clients to reduce costs, cycle time and errors, and increase profitability.

Hertzler Systems Inc. www.hertzler.com Adrienne DePew Communications Manager info@hertzler.com 800.958.2709