New software packages are being developed continuously. Search in technical publications for listings of providers.

Quality Magazine has rated ISO 9000 Software in the past including:

• Office Control
• System 9000
• Proquis 9000
• ISO Easy

Quality Digest lists available software at least once a year in its advertising section. The functions of the software are also described.

Advantages

• They meet ISO requirements.
• They may include corrective action tracking and other records management.
• They take some of the worry out of document control.
• They have added features such as tracking changes or matching documentation to process flow models.

...and disadvantages.

• You may need to set up departments for the documents.
• Word processing capabilities may not be as good as frequently used software such as Microsoft Word.
• Your system may need to be designed around the software.
• The system may lack flexibility.
• You may have to change your procedures and work instructions.
• The software is typically too structured and formal for small companies.

Evaluate the software well before investing in it. Making a change to a diiferent software system becomes increasingly difficult.

Many companies build their own software systems. This allows for more flexibility and adaptability but has high internal costs. Treat the software development as a design and development project and perform the planning, evaluation of inputs and outputs, reviews, verification and validation steps.