Manufacturing

Quality Management System

Strengthen quality control by integrating your quality management system into everyday business operations. Use controlled document management and training requirements to ensure your teams always follow the latest procedures. Automate the traceability of issues, corrective actions, and preventive measures, and simplify audits with automated evidence from version control and audit trails.

Challenges: Quality management relies on manual work and employee diligence

Every organization can benefit from documenting processes and setting up systems to monitor and improve outcomes, the core principle of quality management. However, many organizations find it challenging to embed a quality management system (QMS) into daily operations without dedicated resources and supporting systems. As a result, despite significant effort, the QMS often becomes a checkbox exercise aimed at certification rather than delivering real business value.

Use-Case Feature: Blue Bell

About

Blue Bell Creameries is an American food company specializing in ice cream production. Founded in 1907 in Brenham, Texas, the company initially produced both ice cream and butter for the local market. By the mid-20th century, Blue Bell shifted its focus solely to ice cream and expanded its reach across Texas and much of the Southern United States. Its corporate headquarters, known as the "Little Creamery," remain in Brenham. The Kruse family has owned the company since 1919. As of 2015, Blue Bell ranked as the second-largest ice cream manufacturer in the United States.

Key Challenges Before M-Files

Fragmented Documentation

Blue Bell's documents, such as policies, procedures, and supplier records were scattered across various systems, making it difficult to locate necessary information during audits.

Inefficient Training Processes

The company faced challenges in delivering effective employee training, as there was no centralized system to manage training materials and track progress.

Audit Difficulties

Preparing for audits was time-consuming and inefficient due to the decentralized nature of document storage and lack of streamlined processes.

Compliance

Government projects have additional complexity due to formalized communication between engineers, stakeholders, and government bodies. Correspondence must be tracked, numbered, and cross-referenced, adding to the already large document sets that need to be stored, referenced, and archived.

The M-Files Solution

Improved Operational Efficiency

By centralizing documentation and automating workflows, Blue Bell significantly increased productivity and efficiency across its operations.

Enhanced Compliance and Quality Control

The streamlined processes made it simpler to ensure compliance and uphold the company's commitment to quality and food safety.

Effective Employee Training

Real-time visibility into training progress allowed management to identify overdue sessions and areas where employees needed additional support, thereby improving the effectiveness of training programs.

The Result?

By centralizing documentation and automating workflows, Blue Bell significantly improved operational efficiency across the organization. Employees were able to locate and manage critical information faster, which streamlined daily activities and boosted overall productivity.

The streamlined processes also enhanced compliance and quality control. With better access to accurate, up-to-date information, Blue Bell was able to more easily meet regulatory requirements and maintain its high standards for quality and food safety. This helped strengthen the company’s commitment to delivering trusted products to its customers.

Additionally, M-Files greatly improved the effectiveness of employee training. With real-time visibility into training progress, management could quickly identify overdue sessions and provide targeted support where needed. This proactive approach ensured that employees were consistently trained on the latest procedures and best practices, further supporting operational excellence.