Siemens Wind Power Danmark has introduced FORCE Technology's web based system – Afvig2000 – in the fight against deficiencies internally and at suppliers.

At Siemens Wind Power they know that faults and defects must be documented, analysed and corrected since money, time and credibility are at stake.

"For a couple of years now we have been looking for a system that could handle management, initiation of corrective actions and documentation of non-conformances. Since we operate globally and involve suppliers we were looking for a web based system that could give us an updated instant view on which to base our decisions. Together with FORCE Technology we could develop and adapt Afvig2000 to our needs and the system is now the centre of our efforts to non-conformances," says quality manager Gert Bohnstedt from Siemens Wind Power.

Clear information

Deficiencies, defects and complaints are not just a giant source of irritation. It costs a lot of money and lays down many of the company's resources if the faults are not identified and corrected. Unfortunately, many faults occur repeatedly because it is impossible to see where they arise and where responsibility for fault correction lies.

"One event – for example a complaint, an incident, a component fault, an audit discrepancy – contains a variety of information that often has to be processed several places in the organisation. Afvig2000 is able to handle all of this information and ensure that the relevant departments and persons receive information about the event. In addition, all quality costs are registered and this information may be used to optimise the company's procedures and in the long-term quality planning," says project manager Henrik Frølund from FORCE Technology.

The suppliers as well

At Siemens Wind Power they have chosen to enable the suppliers to become connected to Afvig2000 since it happens that there are events during the production process that are important to register and document. In this connection, Afvig2000 is a very suitable tool.

"It is important that our suppliers are connected to Afvig2000 and the information we receive through the system gives us a good dialogue with the suppliers. It is an additional advantage for the suppliers that they have a tool with which they can plan and carry out improvements on an ongoing basis. It can be a time-consuming process for us to obtain information about the many aspects that influence an event at a supplier. But now, it has become much easier," says Gert Bohnstedt.

He adds that when the system has been fully implemented at Siemens Wind Power it will be possible to demonstrate a significant reduction in non-conformances per supplier or per department internally at the company and a corresponding reduction in quality costs.