Internet technologies offer an alternative to traditional in-house software and corporate network systems for quality assurance applications. One of the latest trends is Web-based collaboration with customers and suppliers.
Over the past couple of decades, an entire software industry has grown up around the needs of quality assurance. Applications supporting calibration, statistical process control, supplier management, document control and quality management systems are among the most popular programs. Traditionally, these applications have been developed for use on personal computers that are typically linked to internal company networks.
But in recent years, a new model has begun to emerge based on Internet technology. Today's Web technologies are ushering in a new breed of quality-focused applications that provide similar, and sometimes better, functionality than traditional network-based programs.