The implementation process for 1Factory typically follows a structured rollout, designed to ensure that all users are onboarded effectively and the system is tailored to the company's quality control workflow. The total implementation time can vary based on the company’s size, complexity, and readiness but usually ranges from a few weeks to a few months.
Implementation Steps:
Initial Consultation & Needs Assessment: A discovery session is held to understand the client’s existing quality processes, inspection types, data collection needs, and integration requirements.
Project Planning: A project plan is developed outlining milestones, timelines, resource commitments, and roles for both the vendor and the client team.
System Configuration: Basic system configuration is completed, including setting up inspection templates, measurement units, roles, and permissions.
Data Migration: Historical inspection data, quality plans, and other relevant documents are imported into the platform if needed.
Integration with ERP/MES Systems: If applicable, 1Factory is integrated with the client’s ERP or manufacturing execution systems to enable automatic data exchange.
User Training: Comprehensive training sessions are provided for admins, inspectors, engineers, and supervisors, tailored to their respective roles.
Pilot Deployment: A limited rollout is conducted at one or a few production lines or plants to test workflows and ensure everything functions correctly.
Full Deployment: After successful piloting, the system is rolled out across all relevant departments or locations.
Post-Implementation Support: Continuous support is provided for any issues, additional training needs, or optimization opportunities.
Typical Duration:
Small/Medium companies: 3–6 weeks
Larger enterprises with complex integration needs: 2–4 months
Customisation
Yes, 1Factory offers a high degree of customization to ensure it aligns with a wide variety of industry-specific and company-specific quality management requirements. While the software is built with standard inspection and quality workflows, its modular design allows for configuration without deep custom coding.
Customization Capabilities:
Inspection Templates: Users can build customized inspection templates that match unique part types, tolerances, and inspection frequencies.
Data Fields & Labels: Custom fields can be added, and existing field labels can be renamed to match internal terminology.
Inspection Workflows: The software allows configuration of workflows to support specific inspection, approval, and escalation processes.
User Roles and Permissions: Customized user roles can be defined to control access at a granular level for different departments or job functions.
Dashboards and Reporting: Dashboards can be tailored to show KPIs that matter most to the organization, such as First Article Inspection pass rates or supplier defect trends.
Integration Options: APIs and data connectors are available to enable integration with ERP, MES, and other enterprise software systems used in-house.
Localization and Language Support: If necessary, the platform can support multiple languages and units of measurement relevant to international operations.
Additional Costs
In addition to the standard subscription or licensing fees, clients should consider setup fees, ongoing support charges, and optional services when evaluating the total cost of ownership of 1Factory.
Potential Additional Costs:
Setup Fees: One-time fees may be charged for initial implementation, which can include system configuration, training, and onboarding support.
Customization Fees: If advanced or non-standard custom features are required, additional charges may apply for development or integration work.
Training Fees: Standard training is typically included, but custom or onsite training sessions may incur extra charges depending on scope and travel.
Annual Maintenance/Subscription Fees: Ongoing access to the platform is typically priced per user or site on a subscription basis, which includes regular software updates and feature enhancements.
Technical Support: Basic support is generally included in the subscription; however, premium support plans (such as 24/7 assistance or dedicated account managers) may be offered at additional cost.
Integration Services: Fees may apply if integration with ERP, MES, or other third-party software is required, especially if it involves custom API development.
Data Migration: Assistance with importing legacy data from spreadsheets or other software systems may be offered as a service with associated fees.
Training
1Factory provides structured training and comprehensive support to ensure that new users can effectively utilize the platform from day one. Training is tailored to different user roles and can be delivered in multiple formats, while ongoing support ensures smooth operation and resolution of any technical or functional issues.
Training and Support Details:
Role-Based Training: Customized training modules are provided for various roles such as inspectors, engineers, quality managers, and administrators. Each group receives training relevant to their daily tasks and access level.
Live Web Training Sessions: Interactive online training sessions are available during implementation to guide users through real-world use cases and best practices.
Onsite Training (Optional): For companies that prefer hands-on, face-to-face instruction, onsite training sessions can be arranged, typically at an additional cost.
Video Tutorials and Documentation: A library of recorded tutorials and detailed user guides is available to support self-paced learning and quick onboarding of new employees.
Dedicated Implementation Manager: During onboarding, a dedicated point of contact is often assigned to manage training schedules, address specific user concerns, and monitor progress.
Help Desk Support: Post-deployment, users can reach out via email or support portals for help with technical issues, functional questions, or general guidance.
Knowledge Base and FAQs: An up-to-date online resource includes searchable FAQs, troubleshooting steps, and tips to maximize software usage.
Ongoing Webinars and Refresher Training: Regular training sessions and product webinars are provided to help users stay current on new features and best practices.
Security Measures
1Factory incorporates robust, enterprise-grade security measures to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of client data. These safeguards cover network security, user access, data encryption, and compliance with industry standards.
Security Features and Practices:
Data Encryption: All data is encrypted both in transit (using SSL/TLS) and at rest, ensuring protection from interception and unauthorized access.
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Access to system features and data is restricted based on user roles and permissions, minimizing exposure to sensitive information.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Optional MFA adds an additional layer of security by requiring users to verify their identity through a second method, such as a mobile device.
Audit Trails and Logging: Every action taken in the system is logged to maintain a full audit trail, which is crucial for compliance and traceability.
Secure Hosting Infrastructure: The platform is hosted on secure, industry-leading cloud infrastructure with physical and network security controls in place.
Data Backup and Disaster Recovery: Regular automated backups are conducted, and disaster recovery plans are in place to ensure business continuity in the event of data loss or system failure.
Compliance with Standards: The system is designed to support compliance with various regulatory and industry-specific standards such as ISO 9001 and AS9100.
Session Timeout and Auto-Logout: Inactivity timers ensure that users are logged out after a period of inactivity to reduce unauthorized access risks.
Updates
1Factory follows a continuous improvement model with frequent updates aimed at enhancing features, improving user experience, fixing bugs, and maintaining security. Updates are typically managed in a way that minimizes user disruption and requires no technical effort from the client side.
Software Update Practices:
Regular Release Schedule: Updates are generally rolled out on a quarterly or bi-monthly basis, depending on the feature pipeline and urgency of changes.
Automatic Cloud Updates: As a cloud-based platform, updates are deployed centrally and automatically, meaning users always have access to the latest version without needing to install anything.
Zero Downtime Deployments: Updates are typically applied without affecting system availability, using techniques that allow new code to go live seamlessly in the background.
Release Notes and Documentation: Each update is accompanied by detailed release notes outlining new features, enhancements, and bug fixes, helping users understand what has changed.
User Feedback Integration: Many updates are based on customer feedback and feature requests, ensuring the software continues to meet real-world needs.
Beta Testing (Optional): Selected customers may be invited to preview and test new features before full release, allowing for early feedback and fine-tuning.
Training on New Features: Post-release webinars, help articles, and in-app prompts are used to introduce new features and provide training to ensure smooth adoption.
Data Ownership and Portability
1Factory upholds strong principles regarding data ownership and portability, ensuring that clients retain full ownership of their data. The platform is designed to facilitate easy data transfer and ensure customers have full control over their information, even when they decide to move away from the platform.
Data Ownership and Portability Details:
Full Data Ownership: Clients retain complete ownership of their data at all times. 1Factory does not claim any rights to the data entered or stored in the platform.
Access to Data: Clients have continuous access to all their data, and can download or export data in various formats such as CSV, Excel, or through APIs for further analysis or storage in third-party systems.
Data Portability: 1Factory provides tools for easy export of data, enabling clients to transfer it to other systems as needed. This ensures that data can be moved freely between platforms if the organization chooses to switch software solutions in the future.
No Vendor Lock-In: 1Factory ensures that there is no vendor lock-in, meaning customers are not tied to the platform beyond their contract period. They can export their data and move it to alternative systems at any time without losing access to important records.
Backup and Recovery: Clients can regularly back up their data, and in the event of a platform termination, 1Factory offers options to securely export all data before account deactivation.
Compliance and Legal Protections: Data handling policies are designed to comply with relevant privacy and security regulations, including GDPR, ensuring that data ownership is protected under the law.
Scaling Up / Down
1Factory provides flexible terms for scaling the platform up or down as an organization’s needs evolve. Whether a business grows, shrinks, or needs to adjust its operational focus, the software offers a range of options to accommodate changes in the number of users, locations, or features.
Scaling Flexibility Details:
User Count Scaling: Organizations can easily scale the number of users up or down. Additional user licenses can be added when new team members need access, and licenses can be reduced when teams are downsized or reorganized.
Subscription Model Flexibility: The subscription model is designed to be flexible, with pricing based on the number of active users, sites, or modules required. As needs change, customers can adjust their plan to match.
Feature Scaling: If a company needs more advanced features as it grows (e.g., adding more reporting capabilities or customization options), additional modules or functionalities can be activated. Conversely, features can be scaled back if they are no longer required.
Multiple Locations and Sites: As an organization expands into new regions or opens new manufacturing sites, 1Factory can easily accommodate additional locations within the same contract. This includes providing additional support for site-specific needs or localized workflows.
Billing Adjustments: Adjustments to billing are made at the time of scaling, allowing for monthly or annual changes in pricing based on the level of service or features selected. Clients are billed accordingly to reflect their new requirements.
Implementation of New Use Cases: As an organization’s needs shift, new use cases such as adding more complex inspection workflows or supplier quality management processes can be quickly incorporated into the platform.
Support During Transitions: 1Factory provides continuous support during periods of scaling, whether it’s adding users or changing configurations, to ensure the software adapts smoothly to new requirements.
Contract Modifications: Contract terms are generally flexible, allowing for easy adjustments in terms of the duration, services, or number of users as organizations grow or downsize.
The terms & conditions for contract renewal and cancellation
1Factory offers flexible terms for contract renewal and cancellation, ensuring that clients have the ability to adjust their commitments as their needs evolve. The software’s subscription-based model is designed to offer flexibility in terms of contract length, renewal processes, and cancellation terms.
Contract Renewal and Cancellation Terms:
Subscription Renewal:
Contracts are typically set on an annual or multi-year subscription basis.
Renewal is often automatic unless the client provides notice of non-renewal within a specified period (typically 30 to 60 days before the renewal date).
Clients are notified ahead of the renewal date, allowing for adjustments to the plan (e.g., increasing or decreasing the number of users or features).
Pricing Adjustments on Renewal:
While the initial contract terms are fixed, pricing may be adjusted upon renewal based on the client’s usage, the number of users, or any additional features requested.
Typically, clients will be informed of any changes in pricing well in advance of the renewal date.
Early Termination and Cancellation:
Clients wishing to cancel the contract before the renewal period may be required to provide a certain amount of notice, typically 30 to 90 days.
Early termination might incur cancellation fees, especially if the client has a long-term commitment or has signed a multi-year agreement.
Cancellation policies are generally defined in the service-level agreement (SLA) or master service agreement (MSA), and penalties for early termination vary depending on the length of the contract and terms agreed upon.
Post-Cancellation Data Handling:
After cancellation, clients are typically given a grace period to export their data before their access to the platform is deactivated.
The platform will ensure that clients retain access to all data, which can be exported in standard formats such as CSV or Excel.
Trial Periods or Short-Term Contracts:
For new clients, short-term contracts or trial periods may be available, offering flexibility before committing to longer-term agreements.
Clients can evaluate the software during the trial period and cancel without penalty if they decide not to proceed with a full subscription.
Support During Transition:
Support is often provided during the transition process, whether a client is renewing or canceling, to ensure data migration and system setup is seamless.
Compliance
1Factory is designed to meet a variety of compliance standards, ensuring that it is suitable for use across industries that require strict adherence to regulatory, security, and quality management requirements. The platform is built to help organizations maintain compliance with relevant industry standards and regulations, making it easier to manage quality processes within a regulated environment.
Compliance Standards:
ISO 9001: Quality Management Systems:
1Factory supports compliance with ISO 9001, a standard for quality management systems (QMS). This standard ensures that organizations maintain consistent quality in their products and services, and 1Factory facilitates the processes required for certification.
ISO 14001: Environmental Management Systems:
The software is also capable of helping organizations comply with ISO 14001, which focuses on environmental management systems. 1Factory supports sustainability initiatives by offering tools for monitoring and reporting on environmental performance.
ISO/TS 16949: Automotive Quality Management:
1Factory is compliant with ISO/TS 16949, which is a standard for the automotive industry. It helps manufacturers comply with specific automotive industry requirements, ensuring the management of product quality in automotive production.
AS9100: Aerospace Quality Management:
For organizations in the aerospace sector, 1Factory meets the requirements of AS9100, a quality management standard for aerospace manufacturing. The software helps companies maintain rigorous quality controls and adhere to aerospace industry standards.
GDPR: General Data Protection Regulation:
1Factory complies with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), ensuring that personal data is processed and stored securely and transparently. This compliance is critical for organizations operating within the EU or handling data of EU citizens.
21 CFR Part 11: FDA Compliance (for Life Sciences):
For life sciences organizations, particularly those regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 1Factory adheres to 21 CFR Part 11, which governs electronic records and signatures. This ensures the platform supports secure data management in compliance with FDA regulations.
SOC 2 Type II:
1Factory meets the requirements of SOC 2 Type II, a standard for data security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. This standard ensures that the platform adheres to high security and privacy standards.
ISO 27001: Information Security Management:
1Factory is designed to comply with ISO 27001, an international standard for information security management systems. The software helps organizations implement security controls and manage risks associated with information security.
Lean Six Sigma:
While not a formal regulatory standard, 1Factory supports Lean Six Sigma methodologies by offering tools that facilitate process improvement, reduce defects, and optimize workflows, aligning with quality management principles that support efficiency and operational excellence.
Local and Industry-Specific Regulations:
Depending on the country or industry, 1Factory can help clients meet specific regional or sector-based compliance standards, whether they are in healthcare, manufacturing, or other regulated industries.
