Celebrating our 5th Year this month with V2.0
R18LabQMS Version 2.0 set to be released
We are now in the final stages of beta testing for V2.0, as this new version will be released shortly. In the past five years we have gone through numerous version updates, with V2.0 being our 20th significant version update. Additionally, there have been numerous changes along the way in keeping up with the AASHTO R18 standard and user experiences.
Recapping the history of R18LabQMS
It was in 2011 while in the midst of preparing for an on-site assessment that we realized the way we managed our quality manual was antiquated at best. We were using a a combination of notebooks, filing cabinets, three-ring binders , and various electronic documents and Outlook reminders.
The idea of a cloud-based application that managed our entire quality manual in one place sounded like an awesome idea, but our next mountain to climb was to sell our management on the idea. Initially, the intention was to develop the application exclusively for our lab, so as to be more efficient in quality management of our laboratory. The first meeting took place in early 2011 and what was to follow is nothing short of amazing!
After countless meetings, market research and assembling a development team, work began in August 2012 on what is now R18LabQMS. In early 2013, beta testing was conducted and on March 1, 2013, V1.0 was launched and available as a commercial product. Today the application is used by commercial and research laboratories, universities and DOTs across the nation. R18LabQMS is now becoming the industry standard and recognized by accreditation bodies.
Application training to be announced
Dates are being finalized for training webinars for V2.0. If your laboratory is currently a user of R18LabQMS you will be notified of the upcoming dates.
Normally, we post blog entries on a monthly basis, on or around the first of each month. When version updates are made we will post an additional blog entry with detailed information about that version update, including a quick video that will be posted to our R18LabQMS YouTube Channel, so please stay tuned!
User comments and questions
We are often asked if R18LabQMS has equipment procedure forms.
This is not a yes or no question. There are a limited number of procedures that can be used when adding procedure forms. The procedures would fall into the “general testing” category, however, each lab needs to develop and review all procedure forms so they not only meet the AASHTO R18 standard requirements, but specific lab requirements. Use the form creator within the application; customize it, or add templates that you have developed using Word or Excel; the application was designed to be as flexible as possible.
Resources
R18LabQMS YouTube Channel – Training and Informational Videos that includes version updates, R18LabQMS demos, and more.
R18LabQMS has a knowledge base – Accessible from within the application, top right “help”.
Training Opportunities
Once you work through the setup process, the following links can be found in the upper right hand corner of the application;
– Support – Email Us
– WebEx – Additional training, please let us know and we can set this up.
– Onsite Training – Fee-based, please inquire.
Upcoming Industry Meetings
AASHTO re:source Technical Exchange
March 12-15, 2018, San Diego, CA
An excellent opportunity for laboratory managers, quality managers, supervisors, and technicians to learn about pertinent industry topics presented by AASHTO re:source staff and other subject matter experts.
R18LabQMS will be a sponsor at this event, please come by and say hello!
For all questions regarding your quality management system, whether your lab is accredited or not, please contact us and learn how R18LabQMS can add value to your company.
Gary Irvine
R18LabQMS Program Manager