ERROR 424! Considerations for fixing the weak link in your supply chain

The need for an IT ecosystem with inbuilt resilience has skyrocketed as an influx of challenges has impacted world trade with critical areas at risk, including Hyperinflation, recessions, volatile markets, an energy crisis, and increased compliance and escalating regulation, to name but a few.

Businesses are increasingly partnering with other companies they trust to streamline procurement systems and improve the value and quality of both services and products. A need to undertake relentless problem-solving and a willingness to adapt quickly is essential for creating a more sustainable supply chain.

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Let’s consider a few examples of why there is an increased demand for robust IT systems and products to deliver the best return on investment:

• Data leaks

• Security breaches

• Malfunctioning websites

• User errors

• Software bugs

• Fast-changing legislation

• Multiple software products in a supply chain

As more companies share ever-increasing amounts of data by integrating systems and embark on a journey to transition to a dependency on AI, the stakes are being raised on potential reputational and operational damage.

Digital transformation increases customer expectations across a more global customer base for which there is little forgiveness should it not meet those expectations. By integrating Quality Engineering into a company’s digital services and products, the quality of the company’s products and services is optimised.

Undeniably, digital transformation has become a key component in the survival of long-established corporations and newly emerging SMEs. Standing still with tried and tested systems is no longer an option for a business to remain competitive. The speed of technological change is relentless, forcing digital transformation not to be just a one-off project or solution but an inbuilt system that is organic and inbuilt into every procedure, product, service, and system.

A well-trained Quality Engineer is in the best position to regularly help introduce, establish, review, monitor, test, and report across the board to ensure everyone in a business is responsible for quality.

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Business survival strategies that revolve around only cost savings do, of course, offer short-term solutions to the many challenges being faced. These strategies offer a brief respite during which businesses can reassess and define longer-term goals aligned to their values (and indeed, where needed, realign their values!).

Let me give you an example. In the current moral, social climate, selecting the cheapest supplier/product above more ethical purchases now presents a brand risk for businesses. Additionally, in many sectors, environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) factors are generating tough legislation and regulation, with the associated impact on companies as governments clamber to meet the United Nations’ 17 sustainable developmental goals by 2035.

The alignment of company values with customer values has never been so critical in building a sustainable business.

The UK Government’s Procurement Bill 2022/23, which requires enhanced transparency requirements and value for money, is a true indicator that this will only increase. Transparency and reporting as part of governance are outcomes of Quality Engineering and ensure value for money… for stakeholders and customers alike.

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Certain cost-savings make good business sense - ones made without compromising on quality.

Procurement professionals who tweak existing products and services (rather than buy in cheaper substitutes), make changes to the supply chain, collaborate with supply chain partners, and choose to rationalise products can positively impact the bottom line without compromising on quality. However, they do pose a risk of business interruption.

A Quality Engineer with a 360-degree view is invaluable in such situations, bringing the technical knowledge to oversee and help manage a network of changes, integrations, and replacements to ensure business continuity before, during and post any transitional period.

In what has become a more transient, Instagram-driven world, where loyalty is hard-won, having an overarching and detailed view brings better outcomes, increased product value and higher customer retention.

Ensuring Quality isn’t a 404 error with Quality Engineering

Why should an organisation outsource Quality Engineering expertise?

Let’s take a look at one of the biggest IT companies, Meta by way of example. On 4 October 2021, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp users worldwide were unable to log into their accounts due to an error in the Border Gateway Protocol. The company’s obsession with running all of its own internal systems meant it had created a single point of access without a backup supply. This resulted in the techs who could potentially fix the issue being unable to enter the building to do what was needed. Not only that, but the internal communications team was unable to use its in-house communications system to help.

As well as providing an independent source of expertise and support, the right outsourcing can help every aspect of the organisation meet company standards and external regulations, and streamline the supply chain, by:

• Reducing the risk of defective products from a supplier

• Providing a proactive approach to supplier quality management

• Assisting in the procurement process

• Reducing costs through increased efficiency

• Developing scalability.

As I’ve already mentioned, the benefit of Quality Engineers is that they work with all areas of a business and with its suppliers. This often happens alongside Quality Assurance and Quality Control teams. In doing so, they can develop processes, test procedures, and implement systems that ensure products and processes fulfil quality standards, meet regulations, and satisfy client expectations.

Quality Engineers develop, implement, test, analyse, revise, and improve processes. They do all this through continual process and product audits, internally and with suppliers. Attention to detail is a prerequisite of any Quality Engineer, providing detailed records of products and services, root cause analyses, corrective action plans, and other reporting requirements.

Food for thought? We’d welcome the opportunity to have a chat in more depth with you. Get in touch at roq@ask.co.uk.