Keeping up with paperwork is key to ISO certification, but it is also one of the biggest hassles for manufacturers. This is especially true for smaller shops that may have limited manpower, resources and computer expertise. These companies may find their documents in disarray, with each revision piling up and multiple versions of files such as quality assurance manuals or test and inspection procedures floating throughout the company. This is especially true as companies continue to prepare for the switch from ISO 9000:1994 to ISO 9000:2000 in December 2003.
To keep track of the paperwork, many manufacturers have sought answers in computer programs, and software companies have responded. More than 30 providers now offer ISO software that users can deploy in their offices and factories to handle complex ISO documentation tasks.