Feb.15.2012

In this Issue...   EDITOR'S PICK: CCS Build Sheets Ensure Quality and Efficiency Special Offer: 10% Off ADDAX-i Fanless Workstation* CCS to Implement Net Promoter Score Methodology in Customer Satisfaction Surveys Employee Spotlight

 

CCS Build sheets ensure quality and efficiency

By: Tim Kirk, CCS Manufacturing Engineer

When presented with a new project, the team at CCS follows a systematic approach to ensure quality deliverables and customer satisfaction. A key component of this approach is build sheet creation. A build sheet is a set of technical instructions that contains all of the relevant integration, configuration, and verification information required to build and replicate systems in the CCS Production environment. A subset of CCS’ Pilot System Development process*, build sheet creation involves the Manufacturing Engineering and Systems Engineering groups working together to develop and document these instructions for the Production team. Once a customer has placed an order, CCS’ Production Technicians use the build sheets to create and inspect each system.

The complexity of build sheets varies according to the type of product being created. For a simple desktop system, a single page build sheet with few instructions may suffice. But if a completely custom solution is going into production, a longer build sheet with thousands of lines of instructions may be needed. To accommodate for these variances, CCS build sheets are designed to be modular and scalable. Each build sheet is composed of a series of cells that can be expanded or collapsed, allowing the technician to see more or less detail as necessary.  Every cell contains a header line that provides a succinct summary of the instructions for that step of the build process. The header line is always visible, even if the cells have been collapsed. A set of highly-detailed instructions, diagrams, and/or pictures follows each header line.

When integrating and configuring a system, the technician often expands the cells to view the detailed instructions. Once the system has been created, the technician collapses the cells to conduct an inspection. In this view, each header line serves as an inspection point. Every single customization and requirement is tested not only by the original technician, but also by a separate inspector – a high-level Production Technician or an Engineer.  This process verifies that each system meets CCS’ high quality standards and ensures conformance to customer expectations.

Integrating build sheets into the CCS Approach has yielded a highly efficient production process with an unmatched level of quality and consistency. In fact, out of nearly 5,600 work orders that went through Production last year, only three errors (nonconforming products) were linked to Production, and only one resulted from a build sheet error.  Interested in learning more about build sheet creation? Contact CCS today.

*For more information on the piloting process, read the CCS Development Process for Industrial Computer Systems by CCS Manufacturing Engineer, Kevin Drum

Special offer: 10% off addax-i fanless workstation*

Built on Intel® Core™ i5/i7 technology, CCS-Inc's ADDAX-i supports up to 8 GB RAM for workstation class processing power in a compact, fanless configuration. Utilizing a specialized heat dissipation system, the ADDAX-i can withstand high ambient temperatures without the need for a mechanical fan. This makes it ideal for dusty environments and/or high vibration applications.

*All orders must be placed by May 31, 2012, to be eligible for the discount. Please mention code NL10OFF when ordering. 

Contact CCS to Receive a Quote
 

CCS to implement net promoter score methodology in customer satisfaction surveys

CCS values customer feedback, and plans to implement Net Promoter Score (NPS) methodology in future customer satisfaction surveys. Satmetrix Systems explains that "NPS is based on the fundamental perspective that every company's customers can be divided into three categories: promoters, passives, and detractors. By asking how likely is it that the customer would recommend [Company X] to a friend or colleague, you can obtain a clear measure of your company's performance through its customers eyes."

Click here to learn how to calculate your company's Net Promoter Score.

employee spotlight

Name: Jeffrey Stanley
Position: Production Technician I
Years at CCS: 1
Responsibilities: Build industrial computers for business application, ensure that Production stays on schedule, troubleshoot issues that affect product quality on a daily basis.
Qualifications: AAS Computer Information Systems, IT Network Security, A+ Certification, Network+ Certification.
Favorite Part of the Job: Continuous development of IT skills, and being a part of the Production team.

 

engineers reading corner

Find out what the engineers at CCS are intersted in by checking out the links below:

• Microsoft to Launch Windows 8 Consumer Preview at Mobile World Congress... Read Article
• Hacker Releases Symantec Source Code... Read Article

 

CCS is Hiring! Know someone that would be a great fit for CCS? Located in Christiansburg, VA, CCS is always looking for talented people to add to its team. Click here to view a list of current job openings.

newsletter archive Miss something? CCS has added a newsletter archive to its website to give customers access to past issues they may have missed. Visit the archive today to stay informed of recent and past developments at CCS.