Techy Stuff
CIS Continuous Improvement Software is a WEB-BASED APPLICATION that is hosted in the cloud, and may also be hosted on a company server (additional costs). We have the following capabilities:
Native/Desktop Application: Locally installed and database also on local server
Web Application: Hosted on cloud, installed on cloud, database on cloud
Cloud Application: Locally installed and the database is maintained locally as well as on the cloud so CIS can run offline. When a device goes online, it synchs the database with the cloud version, the way Outlook does. (This option is very expensive)
CIS is written on Windows Operating System using ASP.NET technology and the databases are MS SQL Server based.
CIS has the capability to export data (EDI) to Excel spread sheets. CIS does not include API as received in the package but we can provide customer specific API and EDI capabilities based on the customer's specific requirements. This would be an add-on to the standard CIS Package and is quoted separately based on the extent of the specifications.
We can support ETL but again this would be a customer specific add-on and would be quoted separately.
CIS comes with many reports and graphs that can be further customized. All data in CIS can be sorted, queried, and the queried sort can be exported to an Excel spreadsheet. Additionally, our programmers can add any report, key performance indicator charts or graphs to meet customer needs at an additional cost. We also offer at no fee a daily, weekly or monthly transfer of all data to the customer's IP address whereby the customer may use a third party reporting system such as Crystal Reports.
Security and Cloud - See Data Security.
We perform periodic database maintenance to keep all of CIS running fast and to ensure that it is always responsive.
Further FAQs asked by our clients:
Has the system been validated?
Yes, however, it is the responsibility of the customer to validate CIS after they have performed their custom set-up and any changes, they make to the CIS system. This would also include user’s access settings, user passwords and user permissions.
Has there been testing performed to show that audit trails work as intended? You can see who, when performed a task in the system. This cannot be turned off.
CIS Software maintains a separate database that collects and reports all key actions including date and time the user(s) log in and the actions performed such as adding or deleting a record, including the data added. This also records any e-mail notifications sent out by CIS. This process runs in the background and the user(s) and client have no access to corrupt, change or revise this data. The data can be viewed by the client at any time under Reports and Graphs – Track DB History.
Has there been any testing done that user access works as expected? Access levels work as intended.
Yes. CIS is tested by the programmers and then tested by TQMS consultants prior to release. However, the most critical information is obtained from our clients who are also responsible for testing their management system. Since our software (CIS Software) allows the client to modify databases, input and edit screens and to create new databases, the client must also perform their own testing as they make changes and/or additions.
Has there been any validation of electronic signatures? These cannot be manipulated.
There is a complete tamper free validation in the document management application of CIS that cannot be manipulated since it is controlled by the scripting within the background of CIS Software. However, in all the other apps, the input of the person responsible and approvals rely on the users to input their names by selection, and it may be revised by them or other authorized users. This is by design because many clients will enter data after an event and/or on behalf of an employee on the floor. However, we do offer electronic signature for any of these apps that captures the actual graphical signature, and this may be added as an add-on feature to CIS. The electronic signature would capture the actual signature of the person approving or issuing an action and this cannot be tampered with.
Backups - System is maintained – true copy. Data does not get lost or changed. Links remain intact. How to make sure it is not altered, not erased. Information is not lost.
Since CIS is a live system, the only important back-up is the latest most current back-up. CIS is a sequential database, and the data is backed up using Microsoft’s tools for exporting such databases. CIS is backed-up on the server continuously. However, we also offer a daily FTP back-up to be sent automatically to the client for safekeeping and to allow them to access information that they may have deleted by error or to integrate it with a graphing or other applications.
Unique passwords and logins
The customer controls the unique passwords and logins. However, CIS comes with geolocation protection that will only allow users to login only when they are on a specific IP address. This prevents access from users to an unauthorized remote location. CIS also offers two factor logins using a google authentication for added security.
Can login / authentication be against two data sets (one for employees, one for temp labor)?
Yes. Through user controls we provide different levels of access for different users/user types.
For example, you can set up a user type "1-day labor" and another user type "returning labor" each with different access and authorities. You can have individual users (separate employees) or similar users (Incoming Inspection Warehouse 1 group).
Can application be fully hosted within our company? Can the system be installed on our local servers?
Yes. This requires you to assume responsibility for system availability, backup, latest Windows updates, email, etc. We would need access to your system to provide support and CIS updates when available. Access can be time limited as agreed between our programmers and your IT professionals.
We suggest the initial application be installed on our servers for 6 months (when most of the customizations are typically programmed) and then transferred when the system is completed to your specific needs. This allows us to have instant access during the six months start-up to help you.
How often do you release new versionS of the system? Will customization be done by us?
CIS allows the user to develop new apps and modify existing ones. Therefore, customers revise their system on an on-going basis by developing new and improved apps. Periodically CIS offers to the clients interesting apps that they may want to include in their own system. However, because each system becomes customer unique, there are no general updates to CIS.
Does application stand alone or require another application as a backbone (ie: SharePoint)
CIS is a Web-based stand-alone system but can certainly be linked real-time with SharePoint if desired.
Describe the management of User Permission Levels (Author/Superuser/Reader/etc.). Confirm ability to have more than one system administrator and many superusers
CIS offers the ability to create multiple user-types. Permissions to view each page can be set by User-Types and each user control for each page can be set for user permissions (edit, add, copy, delete) by User Type. For example, an inspector may log into CIS and only see two modules; Nonconformity and Inspection. The inspector would have no idea that other modules in CIS exist. A manager may see all modules but pending the manager’s user type he/she may only be able to view certain records and not edit or delete them. Multiple system administrators based on user-types is possible.
Describe differentiating capabilities as a Document Repository and managing revision control
CIS offers a complete electronic document management system that includes:
Approval of document management
Can add documents starting at selected revision levels, i.e. rev. 3, 4 or 7
CIS maintains document revision after document is approved and for future revisions
Copying and moving documents while maintaining revision status
Creating multiple folder levels. For example, Procedures/Operations/Welding
Set permission to view folders by users
Document history records
Can upload multiple documents
Complete document report listing current and obsolete documents
Search capabilities.
Describe Search capabilities and ability to search content of attachments as well as page content.
Documents may be searched by title and/or description, including key search words. Page content search may be added at additional fees and is dependent on the document types being uploaded into CIS.
Describe process for managing "required reading" and confirmation user accessed the content / report of users not accessing content
At CIS, we normally handle this issue by assigning training to groups of employees or affected individual employees when a new requirement is issued that requires documented training. We feel that having a system that requires an employee to click on a document to confirm that they have read it does not necessarily mean that the employee has understood the revisions.
Describe process for content "expiration" or setting parameters for regular review by Author or Approver
At CIS, one can set periodic reviews of the documentation by setting up internal audits. However, we believe that the review of the applicable documents should take place during each process audit to ensure that the documents are still effective and reflect current processes. Having documents expire in your system can be a dangerous precedent, especially if they happen to expire the day of an ISO/AS 9100 audit.
Describe process for managing Change Notification – notification of users or groups of users, method.
CIS offers many options depending on the types of changes. For example, one can select managers or groups of managers to be advised when procedures are changed. In special requirements, one can select customers, suppliers, and CIS users to be advised when revisions are made. In individual modules, managers and users can be copied on any change or revision.
What skill level is needed to create / edit customized pages, task lists, workflows, and customized forms - can a regular user be trained, or IS developer skill set required
We have many customers who completely program and revise their system after our three-day training. Most have had no prior database or programming education other than Word and Excel.
Is application able to pull live data in from other applications (i.e.: ZOHO / Sales Cloud / SharePoint) and display summaries or graphical representation or access to linked application data or attachments.
CIS can easily send data to another application by use of exported spreadsheet tables and/or daily back-up to your specified FTP Server. However, CIS already contains many reports, graphs and KPIs that use data within CIS and these may suit your needs. Having data sent to CIS would require additional programming input based on your specific needs. A custom quotation will be required.
What version of SharePoint or Crystal Reporting is your tool compatible with?
All versions to our knowledge.
Describe process for data backup and restore
CIS has a back-up system that allows the customer to send files and data to their specified FTP server.
In addition to the annual license fee, what other costs do we need to budget to cover on-going consultancy, on-going development, etc.
As described in our sales video, most of the development can be performed in-house by your personnel. However, there are some features that may require our programmers intervention, but normally these fees are minimal, compared to our competitors.
Have any of your existing Customers deployed the solution on touch screen kiosks, please describe
Since CIS is a web-based application, any touch device that uses a browser will work. For example, I-Pad, Tablet or Smart Phone.
IN What language is the software developed?
CIS is based on English, however the customer may easily translate the complete system or parts of the system to meet their needs. For example, certain input forms may be in Spanish or Chinese. Additionally the complete CIS software package may be translated into another language.
Feel free to reach out to us with any further inquiries. With our Continuous Improvement Software (CIS), you have a cutting-edge, flexible, and secure solution designed to meet your specific needs. From robust document management to tailored applications, our system offers a wide array of functionalities tailored for efficiency and adaptability.
Whether you're looking to host it on a local server, need specific customization, or want to understand the nuances of its operational capabilities, our team is ready to assist you. Let's embrace innovation and elevate your operations to new heights. Contact us today, and let's make your business more intelligent, adaptable, and successful."
Hope this helps but if you still have a question....