Blog - WATS

How to Deploy and Scale Fast

Lise — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 11:52:28 +0000

[vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" column_margin="default" column_direction="default" column_direction_tablet="default" column_direction_phone="default" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" row_border_radius="none" row_border_radius_applies="bg" overflow="visible" overlay_strength="0.3" gradient_direction="left_to_right" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="all" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" column_position="default" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" animation_type="default" bg_image_animation="none" border_type="simple" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text css="" text_direction="default"]When it comes to onboarding new software, launching an initiative, or introducing something out of the ordinary, early wins are crucial. That’s one of the great benefits of WATS: you gain value within days — not months or years. Here’s why.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" column_margin="default" column_direction="default" column_direction_tablet="default" column_direction_phone="default" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" row_border_radius="none" row_border_radius_applies="bg" overflow="visible" overlay_strength="0.3" gradient_direction="left_to_right" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="all" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" column_position="default" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" animation_type="default" bg_image_animation="none" border_type="simple" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text css="" text_direction="default"]WATS helps manufacturers streamline test data management, enabling rapid deployment and immediate value. This article explores how WATS integrates seamlessly, enhances efficiency, and drives data-driven decision-making. These are the headlines:

Seamless integration – Connects effortlessly with test systems.
Fast deployment – Get started in days, not months.
Early wins – Delivering value from day one.
Scalable - overcome challenges of scaling

Seamlessly Integrate with Your Test Systems

At WATS, we focus on what we do best: test data management. We strive to make it easy for customers to leverage their test and repair data for continuous improvement. With over twenty years in the industry, we have refined the WATS platform into the trusted solution manufacturers rely on worldwide.

WATS is an incredibly effective tool. Simply set up your instance, and in no time, you’re ready to get started. Ole Happle Sørensen, Director of Global Industrialization, GN Group

But what does that have to do with early wins?

Put simply, the WATS platform is lean and designed to seamlessly integrate with existing systems, delivering immediate value. One of our new clients assessed multiple solutions before choosing WATS. Once we connected to TestStand, they were fully operational within two days.

Any test system can be integrated into WATS, see WATS converters and integrations for details.

Early Wins: Delivering Value From Day One

Getting online quickly is great from a project perspective, but how does WATS impact your test team? Just as we rapidly integrate your business into WATS, the platform itself starts delivering insights immediately.

Almost immediately after adopting WATS, we identified the most pressing weaknesses in our manufacturing test systems. Within the first month, we reduced failures in our first test run by 50%, significantly cutting down on retesting. Stefan Ledberg, Manager Test Development, Scanreco

Work Smarter with WATS: Faster Insights, Less Hassle

For test engineers, WATS minimizes manual data preparation and handling, allowing them to focus on real-time analysis and monitoring. Instead of reactive root cause analysis, engineers can take a proactive approach with data-driven decision-making. When first-pass yield drops unexpectedly, WATS helps pinpoint the root cause within minutes.

Without spending excessive time on manual data preparation, I can quickly and easily analyze test processes. Matthias Strauß, Production Manager, Service and Support, Sennheiser

Beyond test engineers, WATS extends its benefits to Production and R&D teams, fostering a culture of data-driven manufacturing.

Effortless Scaling: Overcoming Growth Challenges with WATS

WATS is tailored for test engineers, offering essential features, metrics, KPIs, and drill-down tools. Say goodbye to endless hours of data preparation—WATS simplifies the process, ensuring effortless access to insights. This also means that setting up new instances is easy, making it simple to scale with WATS.

When you’re scaling or dreaming of scaling, that’s what WATS helps you do. It’s that simple. Morten Hessilt Kjær, Audio Engineer, AceZone

No matter your company's size, WATS scales effortlessly. Small businesses benefit from the fact that WATS does not require a lot of resources, while large enterprises tackle global production complexities with ease. Start small, expand seamlessly."

WATS stands out by delivering rapid deployment, immediate value, and continuous improvements over time. That’s the WATS way. If you're ready to elevate your test data management, contact us today for a free personalized demo and trial.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" column_margin="default" column_direction="default" column_direction_tablet="default" column_direction_phone="default" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" row_border_radius="none" row_border_radius_applies="bg" overflow="visible" overlay_strength="0.3" gradient_direction="left_to_right" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="all" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" 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column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="all" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" column_position="default" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="1/2" tablet_width_inherit="default" animation_type="default" bg_image_animation="none" border_type="simple" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][split_line_heading animation_type="line-reveal-by-space" font_style="p" text_color="#444444" line_reveal_by_space_text_effect="default" content_alignment="default" mobile_content_alignment="inherit" link_target="_self" text_content="Explore additional success stories by delving into the experiences and testimonials of other customers." 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Test Data Management: Top Trends 2024

Lise — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 09:46:16 +0000

What’s Changed Since Last Year?

In 2023, we concluded that to stay ahead of the game, manufacturers must embrace new technologies and business models that enable agility and responsiveness to changing market conditions.

This could involve investing in new manufacturing equipment or processes. But manufacturers can also look at their backend systems to find ways to enhance their existing processes. This can lead to improvements in manufacturing or testing quality - reducing the need for reworks and speeding up the production process.

Top Three Trends

The message from 2023 remains just as relevant today as it was a year ago. However, in 2024, we clearly see three key topics that illustrate what this means for electronics manufacturers regarding Test Data Management. These three emerging trends are consistently observed in our daily conversations with customers and industry contacts.

Growing demand for AI-driven technologies
Growing Need for Data-Driven Decision-Making
Custom-built solutions becoming more complex

Growing Demand for AI-driven Technologies

It comes as no surprise that the technology driving the most change across manufacturing is AI. At WATS, we’ve observed growing interest and curiosity about AI, which is completely understandable. On one hand, our customers want to invest in future-proof software, and with vast amounts of test data, the potential benefits of AI are clear.

Since 2023, WATS has expanded its features powered by WATS Alvea, our AI technology. At this year's WATS UP event, there was tremendous interest in learning how these new features can streamline root cause analysis and deliver insights faster.

Growing Need for Data-Driven Decision-Making

How do we know data is more important than ever? Demand for WATS has surged over the past twelve months. While we benefit from word-of-mouth referrals and dedicated promotion, it’s clear that the market is increasingly interested in tools like ours.

Companies have recognized the vast wealth of data at their disposal and are actively seeking ways to leverage it. At this year’s WATS UP event, there was considerable interest among our customers and users in maximizing their data utilization even further.

However, with this heightened focus on extracting value from data, we’ve also observed a rising number of companies encountering difficulties. As the landscape evolves, it is crucial for businesses to confront these challenges and fully harness their data potential. By embracing data-driven practices, companies can not only overcome these challenges but also drive innovation and growth.

Custom-built solutions becoming more complex

In-house solutions for managing manufacturing test data are becoming increasingly complex. This complexity stems from the need to integrate multiple sites, connect with other systems (such as ERP and MES), address security concerns, and provide real-time, cloud-based data access.

As companies build larger, more intricate systems, we often see a loss of expertise in Test Data Management, leaving only IT infrastructure knowledge. The reality is that many companies seek an all-encompassing solution to manage their data needs simultaneously.

This pursuit of a universal solution often delays companies from adopting platforms that could deliver tangible value within days. Companies with in-house solutions for test data management frequently struggle to meet their business needs, not to mention the challenges of ensuring usability.

Additionally, the demand to integrate emerging technologies like AI complicates matters even further, especially when teams are already managing the day-to-day.

Conclusion

The best thing manufacturers can do is simply get started with a tool designed specifically for Test Data Management - one that is easy to integrate with your existing test systems and delivers immediate value. Instead of thinking you need one monolithic tool to manage everything, focus on the value specialized tools can provide.

With the evolution of software development, many platforms now integrate seamlessly with adjacent systems, making it easier to build a network of apps that address your business's specific needs. This approach can often be more efficient and flexible than a single, all-encompassing solution.

In 2024, the smart move is to work with experts who understand Test Data Management, the right tools to support it, and what’s on the horizon. By adopting the right tools today, you can position your business to stay agile and competitive as technology continues to evolve.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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WATS Process Heatmap – The Starting Point For Great Root Cause Analysis

Lise — Mon, 02 Sep 2024 10:22:12 +0000

Since its launch, the Process Heatmap has helped numerous users tackle root cause analysis more easily. Now a fully integrated part of WATS, Process Heatmap gives every WATS user the power to understand manufacturing test data faster than ever – delivering them greater insight and more opportunities for improvement. Sound like it could help you? Read on.

A Comprehensive View of Testing

With Process Heatmap, WATS brings together product-specific data and traditional yield information, offering immediate access to a useful level of detail as soon as you start navigating the system. As a user, you can see products listed alongside their yield data and follow the unique testing flows for each product. This integration allows you to monitor product movement through testing phases, providing a broader, more holistic view of your production and testing environment. This perspective means you can tailor your analysis to specific needs, giving you insights that are directly applicable to the products you need to focus on and the work your business will benefit from the most. The ability to customize views and data presentation also means you have the information you need at your fingertips, in a way that also works best for you and your team.

Diving Deeper into Quality Data

The Process Heatmap brings together a vast amount of data, allowing for a broader view of testing. However, it’s truly designed to provide a quick but detailed view of your quality data. You can focus on any element that appears out of the ordinary, such as unexpected pass/fail rates or yield anomalies. This ability to zoom into specific data points means root causes can be quickly found, and potential issues resolved before they escalate. Our development team has prioritized the feature based on user feedback, which means it meets the real-world needs of users like you. By highlighting areas that require attention, Heatmap helps you focus on the critical aspects of your operations, maximizing both product quality and manufacturing efficiency.

Want to see how it works? Watch our recorded webinar on WATS Process Heatmap

Steps Towards Smarter Testing

As WATS grows and evolves, so does our ability to provide cutting-edge tools that meet your needs. The Process Heatmap gives our users immediate testing and production issue alerts with potential root causes in real-time - a genuine value add for any testing team.

More info about the WATS Process Heatmap

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Process-Driven or Data-Driven? Discover What Sets Manufacturers Apart

Lise — Sun, 04 Aug 2024 11:47:52 +0000

Recurring Challenges in Test Data Management

Recently, we visited a factory that produce a single component for a popular car brand. Despite a reception area filled with quality certs, the testing data was incongruous – text files scattered everywhere with no standardization. They were making great quality products, but their focus on a totally process-driven approach made it difficult to leverage their data to improve further.

It’s clear that the manufacturing sector is dominated by businesses that put quality first and have done so consistently for many many years. Those investing in cutting-edge machinery are continuing to capture market share and retain it over their competitors. However, while the machines are cutting-edge, the software running in the background is sometimes outdated, not offering real-time access or insight.

That’s been a recurring theme we’ve seen since we started: Companies identify as both machine and software providers but often lean more heavily on their machinery. Testing processes are definitely robust in the sector but focus on a binary approach – pass or fail – barely scratching the surface of the data's potential. Machinery gets more and more advanced, but software often lags behind. The challenge is getting access to the data and having it in a usable format.

Limitations of Process-Driven Approaches in Manufacturing

Consider the pioneers of quality, like Toyota, who introduced concepts like Cpk, Six Sigma, and innovative approaches like go/no-go. These practices are still embraced throughout the automotive sector and beyond because they’re so effective at helping companies meet quality standards. This process-driven mindset – where the focus is on moving products along the line, ensuring they meet quality standards, and rejecting those that don't – is popular because it guarantees a certain quality level. But it stops short of leveraging data to optimize processes, increase yield, and cut costs. These companies generate a whole host of data while maintaining these high levels of quality, so the need is to get more value from it.

Uncovering the Hidden Value in Your Test Data

As a company dedicated to test data management we see the value of data every day. We’ve seen, throughout the years, how valuable access to the right data in real-time is. In terms of immediate cost-savings in production, reducing re-testing volumes, to the reduction of risk for future claims. Adding new dimensions to your test data, allows you to look at trends, analyze, and understand the nuances of your testing outcomes – that’s where the value is. And, it goes beyond just your testing teams. R&D teams, for example, massively benefit from surfacing outliers as they can often represent future product failures and claims.

Common Traits of Data-Driven Manufacturers

By transitioning to a more data-driven approach, we’ve seen real cultural shifts in our partners’ production environments. Companies that once stored valuable data on aging servers are now harnessing that data to drive improvements. What we’ve seen is that companies who succeed in making this shift, tend to have these things in common:

Their production and testing teams are actively seek new ways to manage production data
Short decision-making processes and cross-functional collaboration
A software strategy focused on micro-services instead of building a monolithic architecture
An organizational mindset focused on becoming more data-driven

What we’ve seen over the years is that the value of getting access to your test data from WATS has given our customer insights and immediate cost-reductions which represents significant improvement in their production, ROI on machinery, and spending less time preparing data versus using data.

“Almost immediately after adopting WATS we were exposed to the most present weaknesses in our manufacturing test systems. Within the first month of usage we were able to reduce the failures in our first test step run by 50%, significantly reducing the need to retest our products”

Stefan Ledbert, Manager Test Development, Scanreco

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The Cost of Retesting in Electronics Manufacturing

Tom Andres Lomsdalen — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 12:48:55 +0000

It also serves as an introduction to our Retest Cost Calculator, which will provide you with a ballpark estimate for the costs that go into retesting, and how it relates to unit costs and affects test system utilization or throughput.

Finally, we show you how you can use the WATS Cost Analysis Tool to estimate and monitor your cost of retesting.

Is retesting a problem?

It is a well-established fact that most electronics manufacturing companies retest their products more than what is ideal. It is a very familiar scenario for companies with outsourced manufacturing but also for OEM companies with in-house manufacturing. Unfortunately, it is also a problem that also is almost invisible.

One of the use cases of Test Data Management for Electronics Manufacturing is to make these occurrences and trends explicit. So that you can use this data to make informed decisions.

We have seen many new customers uncover and reduce re-testing cost within the first months of using WATS, some even in the trial period. Due to improved and real-time access to their test data.

The consequences of retesting

The consequence of retesting is both expensive and potentially damaging. Excessive retesting represents two overall problems on a spectrum from less severe to more severe:

Overall Problems with Retesting:

Reduced test asset utilization
Increased cost
Quality implications

On the less severe end of the spectrum, the only consequence of retesting a product is that it takes time and steals bandwidth from the test throughput. It could be something as simple as the test operators’ impression that the test system itself is the source of the problems. If a test fails, it is only natural to test it repeatedly. Hoping that whatever problem they suspect will ease off.

Maybe the test limits are sat incorrect, and the average measurements are operating very close to one of the limits. Perhaps the operator suspects that there is poor connectivity from the test interface board, so he or she applies some force to the board. A trick they have picked up over the years has worked many times before. And behold, the product passes the test. Ready to move to the next stage. Or out to the customer.

When retesting becomes concerning

You will find the exact same scenario on the more severe end of the spectrum. The product is failing. All of the accumulated experience of the test operator says that this is because of the test system. Retesting it is the obvious action to that. And again. And again. Apply some pressure, then test again.

The problem now though is that there is nothing wrong with the connectivity of the interface board. It is one of the capacitors that is not properly connected. As the test operator applies pressure to the system, the capacitance reaches just the right value to allow the unit to pass.

You would think that these scenarios are rare. You might think that the operators can distinguish between a faulty unit and a poor test system.

Our experience, working with several industry-leading companies in this sector is that this is far from rare. It happens all over the place, from high volume consumer electronics to FDA regulated products. They lack the insight provided by the Retesting Chart found in WATS. They simply lack the necessary data to bring the problem into the light.

You could think that implementing Forced Routing will fix this. But unless you have good control of your test systems accuracy you are likely to be wrong.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" column_margin="default" column_direction="default" column_direction_tablet="default" column_direction_phone="default" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" row_border_radius="none" row_border_radius_applies="bg" overflow="visible" overlay_strength="0.3" gradient_direction="left_to_right" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="all" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" column_position="default" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" animation_type="default" bg_image_animation="none" border_type="simple" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][image_with_animation image_url="10899" image_size="full" animation_type="entrance" animation="None" animation_movement_type="transform_y" hover_animation="none" alignment="center" img_link_large="yes" border_radius="none" box_shadow="none" image_loading="default" max_width="100%" max_width_mobile="default" screen_reader_text="Enlarge picture"][vc_column_text css="" text_direction="default"]

Example of the Retesting Chart found in WATS

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How to Calculate the Cost of Your Retesting

The cost of retesting is an important metric in test data management and knowing your cost of retesting is vital if you want to improve. We introduce you to two ways of estimating this, one for non-users of WATS and the other one with the use of WATS:

Use our Retest Cost Calculator
Use WATS Cost Analysis Tool

Retest Cost Calculator

If you are a non-user of WATS you can check out our Retest Cost Calculator. This tool provides a ballpark estimate for the costs involved in retesting and illustrates how these costs impact unit costs and affect test system utilization or throughput.

WATS Cost Analysis Tool

Another way to find out the cost of your retesting is to use WATS to get a real-time overview of your retest costs. With our Cost Analysis tool, you get the estimated cost based on your actual manufacturing data. WATS users can constantly monitor their cost of retesting and see how they improve.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" column_margin="default" column_direction="default" column_direction_tablet="default" column_direction_phone="default" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" row_border_radius="none" row_border_radius_applies="bg" overflow="visible" overlay_strength="0.3" gradient_direction="left_to_right" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="all" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" column_position="default" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" animation_type="default" bg_image_animation="none" border_type="simple" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][image_with_animation image_url="10900" image_size="full" animation_type="entrance" animation="None" animation_movement_type="transform_y" hover_animation="none" alignment="center" img_link_large="yes" border_radius="none" box_shadow="none" image_loading="default" max_width="100%" max_width_mobile="default" screen_reader_text="Enlarge picture"][vc_column_text css="" text_direction="default"]

Example of the Cost Analysis Tool in WATS

How to Fix and Transform a Retesting Culture

Fortunately, though, the two sides of the severity spectrum are very entangled. In simple terms, the common behavior is a tendency to deploy manufacturing test systems and not continuously optimize their accuracy. This in turn allows this undesired culture to manifest.

New Product Introduction is a golden opportunity to make this improvement, to ensure that your limits are well suited to the actual unit specification. But before the high volumes kick in. Before your focus shifts to other product releases.

In our top-down approach to quality assurance, the natural tool for this set of problems starts with Process Capability Analysis. In an early stage.

Make sure that you don’t have big rooms for measurement outliers.
That your measurements are not clustered towards one of the limits.
And that when a product fails the test it is most likely a product issue.

Only then can you make sure that you have solid grounds to kill the retesting culture and stay ahead of the curve.

How to Reduce Retesting

The cost of retesting is a time-intensive task that often is representative of 10-30% of the total time spent testing. The impact is reduced test asset utilization. You might need to add new testers as you increase output volumes, and it takes a paid employee to operate the tester. Test equipment often comes at a high cost, so there is no need to say that reducing re-testing is a good business case.

A specific Test Data Management benefit from WATS is that you can address retesting in two ways. First, you have full visibility into how many retests your products have. You can drill down and dissect this data as you need, to figure out what is the likely reason. If you collect repair data, you can cross-correlate these. You can even receive automated notifications if products are retested more than a threshold.

Second, WATS also features a Software Distribution Module. You can use this to centralize the distribution of software and firmware packages. So that when a test initiates it checks the latest version on the server against what it is running. If it is outdated, the operator can choose to upgrade directly.

If you suspect that extensive retesting is a problem in your organization, make sure to sign up for a free trial to see what your test data looks like.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The post The Cost of Retesting in Electronics Manufacturing appeared first on WATS.

Manual Inspection Documentation: The Missing Link In Test Automation

Lise — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 08:37:09 +0000

Production issues aren’t just costly mistakes. Their wider ramifications can topple even the biggest giants. Remember Takata Airbags? The business went bankrupt over a flaw in airbag production, causing tens of millions of vehicles with their product to be retracted.

Whatever you’re building, constant testing and inspection is essential. You need to ensure your production line delivers the way it should. The test process, even for smaller components, has to be precise.

This is why standard automated tests are so useful. They provide in-circuit testing and automated optical inspection; as well as PCBA, module, and system level testing. They’re also evidence of how well-oiled your production flow is. After that, the formal evaluation can begin to determine product viability.

However, many manufacturers still perform inspection tests manually. Not only that, but they record the data in the same way – using a static Excel spreadsheet or good old-fashioned pen and paper.

They’re clearly missing a trick by doing so.

Data From Manual Inspection should be easily accessible

Often products will go through dozens of manual checkpoints. But once complete, the data gets forgotten. It remains hidden – most likely never to be used again. This is a huge mistake. Data kept in isolation is worthless. When it’s combined with other sets, so much more becomes apparent.

For example, if you're making blue LED lights and some turn-up green. OK, great, there’s a documented fault. But what if 3% of all the manual inspections detect an issue with the LEDs? There may be issues with your PBC board – but to find out, you need a way to go back and see exactly where things went wrong with these units.

Automated Testing Streamlines Processes

Bringing together accurate testing and manual inspection data in a system like WATS, gives you a holistic view of information from all sources – including all of the faults and the correlations between them. This overview gives you the ultimate foundation to maximize yield, gauge productivity, and run with proficiency.

Finding faults early in the process is also critical. The further down the line a failure is identified, the cost increases tenfold. With a proper analytics system in place, you can discover upstream faults before they cost money – and better understand where things went wrong.

Rather than risking human failure in manual inspections, digitized inspection sequences also bring you accurate and consistent results you can trust.

With full data accessibility, you no longer have to search for what you want endlessly. WATS lets you see the exact process every product went through, including all workflow stages. Scan the product bar code and see its entire journey – all information is there, ready for you to streamline your operations.

Manual Inspection Module in WATS

The Manual Inspection Module in WATS features a sequence builder where you can graphically design the test flow, along with a web interface that guides the test operator through all the necessary steps. All history of manual testing is thus collected in the same system, in an easily accessible format.

Learn more about the Manual Inspection Module

The post Manual Inspection Documentation: The Missing Link In Test Automation appeared first on WATS.

Using Data to boost Investment Returns On Machinery

Lise — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 06:49:03 +0000

Data-Driven Payback

At WATS, we understand the importance of machinery in production processes. It almost goes without saying, but if you don’t have the testing equipment necessary to make sure you’re hitting the quality levels you need, you’re not going to get very far.

Uptime and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)

At WATS, we recognize the critical role of machinery in production processes. Without the necessary testing equipment to ensure quality, your operations can't succeed. Given the high costs of testers and production equipment, maintaining near 100% uptime is a priority for manufacturers.

What’s interesting, though, is that uptime itself is just a single measure of machine productivity.

If we take Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) as a more telling measurement, we’d compare the speed of output, availability of output, and quality of output. That last one, quality of output, is particularly important because it doesn’t matter if you’ve got 100% speed and availability if what you’re producing isn’t hitting your First Pass Yield targets.

Use data to boost the quality aspect of your OEE

The only way to improve your First Pass Yield is to identify the root causes of issues; and the only way to do that is to effectively manage your testing data, and organize and access it in such a way that it delivers the insight you need to find a solution.

If you have real-time access to the data you’re producing and analyze it faster and more efficiently you can improve First Pass Yield and boost the quality aspect of your Overall Equipment Effectiveness. In turn, if the quality improves, you’ll have less retesting and reproducing, which will also improve availability.

How to use WATS to increase ROI on machinery

WATS is a test data management platform specifically designed for the needs for testing in electronics manufacturing companies. If you’re already a user of WATS you know just how powerful the tool is to get full control and overview of your manufacturing test data from anywhere in the world, real-time.

1. Analyze Performance Metrics with Process Heatmap

WATS helps you identify trends across millions of data points so that you can then dig deeper into your testing and production data. One of the best places to start is using the Process Heatmap. This feature is a central place for starting root cause analysis, offering an intuitive and efficient way to manage your manufacturing test data

2. Automated Root Cause Analysis

WATS has several features and tools which are powered by WATS Alvea, our AI-technology. WATS users get suggestions on how to look for potential of increasing First Pass Yield. WATS Alvea surfaces insights directly and gives users insights that are difficult and time-consuming to find. Even if you’re an experienced test engineer, this saves a lot of time.

3. Streamline Data Collection and share real-time data

Eliminate the manual effort involved in gathering data across all your machines, test stations, and manufacturing sites. With WATS, you can automate test data collection and bring it all into a single, secure place. With highly granulated data and real-time access you can easily share the necessary data across your organization and do root cause analysis faster.

Those three features barely scratch the surface of everything that WATS can do. But, for manufacturers looking to get more for their money, it makes sense to use the data they’re already capturing to boost machinery ROI.

You might also want to read: Improve Performance with OEE Monitoring[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="full_width_background" full_screen_row_position="middle" column_margin="default" column_direction="default" column_direction_tablet="default" column_direction_phone="default" bg_color="#fcfcfc" scene_position="center" top_padding="4%" bottom_padding="4%" text_color="dark" text_align="left" row_border_radius="none" row_border_radius_applies="bg" overflow="visible" id="newsletter" overlay_strength="0.3" gradient_direction="left_to_right" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="fade-in" shape_type=""][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="all" top_margin="3%" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" centered_text="true" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" column_position="default" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="1/3" tablet_width_inherit="default" animation_type="default" bg_image_animation="none" border_type="simple" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][image_with_animation image_url="3880" image_size="full" animation_type="entrance" animation="Fade In" animation_easing="default" animation_movement_type="transform_y" hover_animation="none" alignment="center" border_radius="none" box_shadow="none" image_loading="lazy-load" max_width="75%" max_width_mobile="default"][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="all" top_margin="2%" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" column_position="default" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="2/3" tablet_width_inherit="default" animation_type="default" bg_image_animation="fade-in" border_type="simple" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text css="" text_direction="default"]

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[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="full_width_background" full_screen_row_position="middle" column_margin="default" equal_height="yes" content_placement="middle" column_direction="default" column_direction_tablet="default" column_direction_phone="default" bg_color="#fcfaf7" scene_position="center" top_padding="6%" bottom_padding="6%" text_color="dark" text_align="left" row_border_radius="none" row_border_radius_applies="bg" overflow="visible" overlay_strength="0.3" gradient_direction="left_to_right" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none" shape_type=""][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="all" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" column_position="default" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" animation_type="default" bg_image_animation="none" border_type="simple" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_row_inner column_margin="default" column_direction="default" column_direction_tablet="default" column_direction_phone="default" text_align="left" row_position="default" row_position_tablet="inherit" row_position_phone="inherit" overflow="visible" pointer_events="all"][vc_column_inner column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="all" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" overflow="visible" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="1/6" tablet_width_inherit="default" animation_type="default" bg_image_animation="none" border_type="simple" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding="padding-2-percent" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="left-right" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" centered_text="true" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" overflow="visible" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="2/3" tablet_width_inherit="default" animation_type="default" enable_animation="true" animation="fade-in" animation_easing="default" bg_image_animation="none" border_type="simple" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][nectar_gradient_text heading_tag="h5" color="extra-color-gradient-1" gradient_direction="horizontal" text="See how easy our platform is to use" margin_bottom="10"][vc_custom_heading text="Book a Demo with us today" font_container="tag:h2|font_size:52|text_align:center|line_height:52px" use_theme_fonts="yes" css_animation="fadeInUp"][divider line_type="No Line" custom_height="10"][vc_custom_heading text="Learn how WATS can access your test data and let you have a real-time overview of your manufacturing." font_container="tag:p|text_align:center|color:rgba(0%2C0%2C0%2C0.7)" use_theme_fonts="yes" css_animation="fadeInUp" css=".vc_custom_1651044743360{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;}"][nectar_btn size="jumbo" open_new_tab="true" button_style="regular" button_color_2="Accent-Color" icon_family="default_arrow" url="https://www2.wats.com/book_a_wats_demo_nor" text="Request a Demo" css_animation="zoomIn" margin_top="30"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="all" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" overflow="visible" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="1/6" tablet_width_inherit="default" animation_type="default" bg_image_animation="none" border_type="simple" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The post Using Data to boost Investment Returns On Machinery appeared first on WATS.

Industry Thoughts: The Reality of AI in Electronics Manufacturing

Lise — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 13:10:59 +0000

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and DALL-E continue to get media attention, but what about the application and potential of AI in electronics manufacturing and test data management?

Is it really going to make an impact? In short – absolutely.

This year, we've enhanced WATS with new features powered with our AI technology: WATS Alvea. And we have more planned for the future.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css="" text_direction="default"]

Generative AI in Electronics Manufacturing

We’re very excited about AI here at WATS and the integration of AI into manufacturing processes. As a group of professionals whose working lives are built around managing data and get the most value of it, we’ve approached AI with a commitment to build practical value-driven solutions.

We’re sure you’ve already tried out ChatGPT or similar tools, so you’ll understand generative AI’s current capabilities. You’re also probably used to using AI without really thinking about it, such as using a chatbot on a website.

But with AI starting to spread throughout our personal and professional lives, it has yet to go mainstream in production environments.

Most of the new AI you’re seeing right now is built on Large Language Models – the same technology behind ChatGPT. However, these kinds of applications are often off-the-shelf modules giving varied benefits for the end user: designed to appease marketing goals rather than make a product genuinely better.

However, when it comes to hyper-technical applications – like managing test data – a one-size-fits-all platform isn’t powerful enough.

Enhancing Test Data Management with AI

If you’re involved in testing within your business, you know just how much data you produce. You measure a huge range of variables, across a massive number of components, in different test stations, in other plants, and in various countries. As a result, test teams, or test-adjacent teams like R&D and Quality Assurance needs capabilities to get the value from these data.

Here at WATS, we thought about how to use AI to get even faster and more insights into this enormous amount of data. Fundamentally, we want to include features that add value to WATS, not just implementing AI for the sake of it. We very much believe in using the right technology for the right job.

That’s why we started out with WATS Alvea – our AI Technology designed to improve WATS and empower test engineers and colleagues in R&D and Quality with handling their Test Data and manufacturing insights.

Introducing WATS Alvea: Advanced Analytics with AI Technology

Accelerating Root Cause Analysis with AI

This year we've launched more tools such as Process Heatmap and Test Step Analysis with AI–powered suggestion. We wanted to empower test engineers to get more insights and do more analysis faster than ever. These tools and features are designed to accelerate root cause analysis and identifying yield trends faster, enabling companies to adapt a data-driven approach to improve manufacturing processes, R&D and product quality.

WATS Process Heatmap with AI

WATS Alvea surfaces hyper-relevant data for users who might otherwise not know where to look in the first place. For users who are more confident using test management systems, WATS Alvea just speeds up what they already do.

What’s Next: Combining rule-based AI with gen-AI?

While Generative AI can be very useful in both surfacing and presenting data. WATS Alvea gives you the heads-up on failure root causes, but what if you could quiz it further, asking for a step-by-step guide on what to investigate based on the measurements it's presenting?

That thinking forms part of our plan for WATS in the future: combining the rule-based AI with the power of modern generative AI.

Predictive Analytics and Machine Learning

We’re closely watching to see what AI could evolve into, particularly in the field of predictive analytics. For example, something that is truly exciting would be for our users to have the ability to model the business impact of failures in components or proactive fixes in test tolerances.

Machine Learning holds the keys to much of that work and, with the right approach to training a model, this level of predictive analytics could be custom-made for individual businesses. One bonus that manufacturers have over other industries is how much data they already collect, which means when the models are ready to be trained, all the material they need will be there.

Dedicated to extract the value of Test Data

At WATS we have a whole team looking at ways to improve Test Data Management and getting the most value out of your Test Data. We’re all in on AI, just as long as it helps the people we’ve been supporting for decades, as well as newcomers to the WATS platform.

Test Step Analysis and Root Cause Analysis with AI Technology[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="full_width_background" full_screen_row_position="middle" column_margin="default" equal_height="yes" content_placement="middle" column_direction="default" column_direction_tablet="default" column_direction_phone="default" bg_color="#efefef" scene_position="center" top_padding="6%" bottom_padding="6%" text_color="dark" text_align="left" row_border_radius="none" row_border_radius_applies="bg" overflow="visible" overlay_strength="0.3" gradient_direction="left_to_right" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none" shape_type="" gradient_type="default"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="all" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" column_position="default" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" animation_type="default" bg_image_animation="none" border_type="simple" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_row_inner column_margin="default" column_direction="default" column_direction_tablet="default" column_direction_phone="default" text_align="left" row_position="default" row_position_tablet="inherit" row_position_phone="inherit" overflow="visible" pointer_events="all"][vc_column_inner column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="all" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" overflow="visible" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="1/6" tablet_width_inherit="default" animation_type="default" bg_image_animation="none" border_type="simple" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding="padding-2-percent" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="left-right" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" centered_text="true" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" overflow="visible" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="2/3" tablet_width_inherit="default" animation_type="default" enable_animation="true" animation="fade-in" animation_easing="default" bg_image_animation="none" border_type="simple" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_custom_heading text="Book a Demo with us today" font_container="tag:h2|font_size:52|text_align:center|line_height:52px" use_theme_fonts="yes" css_animation="fadeInUp"][divider line_type="No Line" custom_height="10"][vc_custom_heading text="Get a deep dive on how WATS work and discover how easy our platform is to use. Learn how WATS can access your test data and give you a real-time overview of your manufacturing." font_container="tag:p|text_align:center|color:rgba(0%2C0%2C0%2C0.7)" use_theme_fonts="yes" css_animation="fadeInUp" css=".vc_custom_1707830247893{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;}"][nectar_btn size="large" button_style="regular" button_color_2="Accent-Color" icon_family="none" url="https://wats.com/book-demo/" text="Book Demo" css_animation="zoomIn" margin_top="10"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="all" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" overflow="visible" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="1/6" tablet_width_inherit="default" animation_type="default" bg_image_animation="none" border_type="simple" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The post Industry Thoughts: The Reality of AI in Electronics Manufacturing appeared first on WATS.

Testing times: Why Asset Management Should be Core to Your Test Process

Lise — Mon, 13 May 2024 05:15:08 +0000

Unfortunately protecting hardware and software assets sometimes take a back seat to product development and testing. In this article Vidar Grønås explains that a holistic approach to calibration of hardware for testing demands attention to detail and forms part of a successful strategy to ultimately protect workflow and production.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" column_margin="default" column_direction="default" column_direction_tablet="default" column_direction_phone="default" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" row_border_radius="none" row_border_radius_applies="bg" overflow="visible" overlay_strength="0.3" gradient_direction="left_to_right" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="all" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" column_position="default" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" animation_type="default" bg_image_animation="none" border_type="simple" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text]

Command and control is not just about getting connected but staying connected

In the manufacturing process, we need to ensure that we understand what has and has not, been done across a range of processes.

Command and control in your operation is not just about getting connected but staying connected. In this context, it means keeping track of all assets for testing and building products is essential.

For example, instruments, fixtures, and connectors are all expensive hardware that must work correctly in order to achieve repeatable and reliable results. This could include calibration of an instrument – guaranteed to produce results in a specification. In this case, you measure a known source such as voltage checking where ‘one voltage you are assured of’ you test against.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" column_margin="default" column_direction="default" column_direction_tablet="default" column_direction_phone="default" scene_position="center" bottom_padding="3%" text_color="dark" text_align="left" row_border_radius="none" row_border_radius_applies="bg" overflow="visible" overlay_strength="0.3" gradient_direction="left_to_right" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none" shape_type=""][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="all" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" column_position="default" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" animation_type="default" bg_image_animation="none" border_type="simple" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text css="" text_direction="default"]

Keep track of the Maintenance and Calibration Status of Test Assets

You may add some software with coefficients, or adjust screws for measuring that one volt. This approach covers everything you measure – frequency, strain, current, temperature…the list goes on. Typically based on a calibration interval of one year.

The Asset Management Module in WATS allows users to keep track of the maintenance and calibration status of test assets.

Notifications alert users to indicate need for calibration or replacement of measurement pins. When testing a product you can ask a central database with the right information to show what the result should be. This importantly establishes that instruments are ready to use for tests. An API (Application Programming Interface) to communicate through – can add assets easily from anywhere, can communicate back to the database and update devices correctly.

Popups can be coded into the test program to give information to operators. These reminders enable essential decisions to determine when something should be re-calibrated. However, the pop-ups must be programmed by someone in order to work in this way.

Electronically labeling with an identifier (name) and then setting up a way to count the number of (1-5,000 or whatever) calibration intervals, typically on an annual basis, can be established for multiple devices. The count is used when a device has a limited number of connections between maintenance. When you calibrate, you can start from a new date – so a new connector will be reset to zero, for example. In this way, users have more control over assets when tested.

Importance of having control of assets cannot be underestimated

An automated system like this enables users to report the overall health status of assets or export the information through the API to a top-level maintenance tracking system.

The importance of having control of assets cannot be underestimated. It’s not just about the software, but making sure the device itself is fit for purpose. Hardware needs to be factored into all of the features that rely on integrity to perform.

Protecting these assets ensures efficiency and long term benefits to the operational bottom line![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The post Testing times: Why Asset Management Should be Core to Your Test Process appeared first on WATS.

Doing RMA The Right Way

Thomas Løvaas Wiken — Fri, 10 May 2024 13:42:31 +0000

Send It Back

We do concede that the RMA process can be costly, particularly if you have a global customer base but a centralized point of manufacturing. It means you’ll have to coordinate returns from your distributors back to your HQ, which is no mean feat. But if you’re going to all the trouble of getting faulty goods back to base, then surely you should aim to get as much value from the process as possible – while also streamlining it to reduce that cost?

What value can be gained from bringing faulty goods back and either repairing or replacing them? Well, aside from fulfilling what your customers probably expect of you, there is a great deal of real-world use that those products have been through that can help you improve in the future. While a lot of the reasons for product failures can be traced back to improper usage, the end user isn’t always to blame – often there is a pattern to be found.

Origin Story

That pattern is best sought out in its origins. Products that fail due to quality issues will share a history, and in those records will be the root cause of the failure. It could be the combination of a particular component and a specific firmware version, or conversely, there could be a testing issue, where they were all signed off on a single test station, which could mean your limits or tolerances are out.

By the way, if you’re already managing your testing in WATS, then you’ll have a complete history of that product ready to pair with the return and repair data – which is pretty handy. Using the Serial Number History feature, you can get instant access to the full history of a product, along with statistics informing about the most frequent historical repair types for the failed test steps.

RMA Is A Part of Broader Improvement

Continuous improvement is always a popular subject for manufacturers – which makes sense. After all, what business wouldn’t want to fix issues in the future and reduce production bottlenecks?

If continuous improvement is on your radar, have you considered how useful RMA can be? It’s not just even production that can benefit from learning about product failures – you’ll quickly start making friends in marketing and sales if you can make your product more reliable.

There are a lot of definitions of ‘brand’ out there, but many believe that it is the meeting point of what you say you do and what you actually do. If your reputation hinges on the reliability of your goods, then effectively reviewing returns and finding root causes of failures is going to do wonders for your image.

Clearly you’re not going to be making operational decisions based purely on optics, but they are an important consideration. Whatever the true motivation to make production better in a manufacturing environment, RMA offers a rare goldmine of info that if you don’t try to tap into, you’re missing out on.

Learn how you can do RMA the right way with the WATS Repair Module.

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