Despite the growing demand for high-quality cannabis products, many operators still rely on manual quality and record-keeping systems, overlooking the competitive advantage of an electronic Quality Management System (eQMS). A manual approach can lead to production errors, delays, and non-compliance with industry standards, while an eQMS provides a streamlined approach to quality management, data capture and analysis, as well as ensures compliance - let’s find out how.

The Pitfalls of a Manual System

A manual system is a record-keeping method that relies on paper or basic content management platforms like Office, Sharepoint, or Dropbox. With this system in place, everything from document creation to reviews and approvals, plus the subsequent training required, must be done manually, which can be a time-consuming and labour-intensive process. 

In complex business operations, you need a source of truth. Manual systems often lead to inconsistencies in documentation as version history must be tracked manually and simultaneous edits can ruin its integrity, making it difficult to locate and retrieve data. Further, documents might not be adequately secured, and data might be accessed and downloaded by users who should not have the ability to do so.

Compliance challenges also arise with manual systems, especially in a rapidly evolving cannabis industry, as it's difficult or impossible to reference or link standard operating procedures (SOPs) to specific regulatory content and make dynamic changes to relevant SOPs when the associated regulations inevitably change. 

Manual systems also make it extremely difficult to manage training, as they lack actionable analytics or insights. Without technology to teach and reinforce processes, new employees are often overloaded with administrative work and training, which significantly extends the time required for them to become proficient (which nobody wants!).

Manual systems are simply not up to the task of managing modern businesses as compliance with regulations is not scalable with a manual process. To remain competitive, companies need advanced systems that can handle the intricacies and complexities of today's environment. We need to look no further than the widespread adoption of eQMS in other regulated sectors like pharma and consumer packaged goods to illustrate how integral this technology really is.

eQMS - A Must-Have for Your Cannabis Business

An electronic Quality Management System is a comprehensive software solution designed to aid cannabis companies in managing and maintaining their critical processes. Through the power of technology, eQMS platforms offer a range of advanced features that automate quality management processes, streamline workflows, and enhance overall operational efficiency.

Learn more about C15’s eQMS exclusive focus on the cannabis industry.

The empirical evidence speaks for itself: C15 Solutions’ average customer report card from 2022 revealed an impressive 750% earned combined ROI for document, training, and quality event management. Additionally, the average approximate reduction in operating expenses was a staggering $1,000,000. Many C15 customers get their deviations and investigations cleared in not weeks, not months, but a few days - this means your products get to market faster and with greater safety, quality, and consistency.

Learn how C15 reduced operational costs and increased ROI for Vantage Hemp Co.

Figures like these demonstrate the transformative impact of eQMS on the cannabis industry and the critical role the system plays in enhancing business performance and growth. Let’s learn more.

How Technology Can Revolutionize Cannabis Operations

Streamlined Processes

One of the key benefits of eQMS is that it allows for automated workflows, which can save time and effort, as well as minimize human error. With a few clicks, documents can be created, reviewed, approved, and stored, streamlining the entire process. Automation helps ensure that documents are reviewed and approved by the right people at the right time, minimizing delays and eliminating the need for manual follow-ups.

Consistent Documentation

eQMS provides standardized templates for documentation, ensuring consistency across different teams, departments, and sites. Standardization is essential for creating a repeatable process that is easy to follow and easy to audit.

Easy Data Retrieval & Analysis

With eQMS, all documentation is stored in a central database, making it easy to retrieve data and analyze it to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.

Improved Compliance

eQMS also offers automated tracking and alert features. These attributes guarantee that all documentation is kept up-to-date and in alignment with regulatory requirements, helping facilitate a smooth and successful audit process.

Furthermore, eQMS provides an effortless way to reference and link SOPs to specific regulatory content. This function allows for dynamic changes to relevant SOPs, ensuring they remain current and updated as regulatory changes occur.

Better Visibility & Accountability

eQMS enables company leadership to identify and address potential issues before they escalate into problems with a user-friendly platform that makes it easy to track who has accessed documents and when. This added layer of accountability helps to increase transparency and enhance communication.

The increased visibility has a cascading effect, reducing operational and supply chain risk by mitigating potential disruptions before they occur.

Scalability

Manual systems are costly and inflexible. Automating admin, compliance, and QA processes with eQMS ensures high ROI and helps you scale quicker (with less risk). The automation provided by eQMS can free up valuable resources, allowing your company to focus on growth and innovation.

Operational Cost Reduction

eQMS adoption reduces the number of complaints, unplanned deviations, product recalls, and rework/scrap, thereby reducing your operating expenses and cost of quality, while simultaneously improving your bottom line and reputation. 

Interested in going digital? Schedule a demo with C15 today.