Document control helps manufacturers keep their documents in check. Organizations use document control software to manage structured documents used in the design, development and manufacturing of products, throughout their entire lifecycles.

Ever since the revolution of Henry Ford’s assembly line, it has been possible to produce identical complex products in drastically less time. It was the inception of mass production as we know it today.

Document control is the cornerstone of quality, compliance, environmental health and safety (EHS) and process excellence. Quality process information, work instructions, job descriptions, and specifications must all be created, revised, distributed, tracked and “retired” with consistency and efficiency. 

Manufacturers are grappling with multiple challenges—global competition, evolving quality standards, regulatory compliance, and profitability—not to mention a demanding, informed consumer. With no room for inefficiency in managing operations, companies have to rely on internal business processes to effectively support the enterprise.

So, let’s say you’re headhunted by a tier one oil company to lead their upstream business process in a new territory where, amongst many other demanding strategic and operational responsibilities, you will need to procure and commission a new production rig.

In the mid 1980s my company got its first PC for accounting and a database of client/case records. It was a revolution!