ABI Research predicts AI-powered quality management systems to drive manufacturing improvements

Global technology intelligence firm ABI Research reports that artificial intelligence (AI) will transform quality management systems (QMS) software by allowing manufacturers to close the loop on quality management more effectively, driving quality initiatives across the production lifecycle from design to control. The firm notes that QMS software is evolving from capturing quality complications at end-of-line checks to embedded quality processes at every production stage. Manufacturers can expect significant announcements and releases of AI functionality for QMS software in 2024, with deployments commencing in 2025, states ABI.

“Major impactful AI applications for QMS will include advanced analytics and risk management, Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) automation, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) authoring and AI-powered statistical process control,” explains James Prestwood, industrial and manufacturing technologies industry analyst at ABI Research.

ABI also shares that QMS software vendors such as ComplianceQuest, Intellect, and Dot Compliance are first movers by adding AI directly into their solutions. Larger vendors such as ETQ, PTC, Rockwell Automation and Siemens are also reportedly developing AI applications to ensure that strategic manufacturing challenges have been addressed, alongside doing significant backroom testing.

The transformative effect of AI on QMS software will close the loop on quality management by driving continuous improvement in both the product and the production process.

“However, due to an entrenched resistance to change in operations, quality workers will be slower to develop an affinity for AI functionality, aside from background data analytics processes,” Prestwood says.

These findings are from ABI Research’s QMS software: AI trends and market impact application analysis report.