Q&A with Dan Sokol of DISCUS Software

VSM: Can you provide some company background about DISCUS Software?

DS: The DISCUS Software product family is the leading tool set for reducing time and labor for first article inspection, inspection planning, process planning, and producibility analysis. The DISCUS software was originally developed about five years ago, but it has now grown to a customer base with nearly 1000 companies actively using it.

VSM: What are the main functions of your newest software product, DISCUS Connect?

DS: Up until now, DISCUS has been a Windows desktop tool to make it more efficient for an engineer to create first article inspections, in-process inspection plans, manufacturing process plans, etc. The addition of the web-based DISCUS Connect makes the DISCUS software tool suite more complete for collaboration in the enterprise and extended supply chain.

DISCUS Connect includes the intelligent Technical Data Package (iTDP) Server for storing in a centralized location all of a part’s requirements and results at a characteristic level of detail. DISCUS Connect also provides a web interface into the DISCUS data for managing performance, reviewing the iTDP, and approving associated results. DISCUS Connect enables companies to:

• Collaborate–Reduce time by easily sharing the iTDP with other departments and external suppliers
• Analyze–Review the digital dashboard for status of manufacturing and quality planning in real-time with key performance metrics
• Integrate–Further increase the efficiency of your manufacturing and quality engineering by integrating the DISCUS iTDP with systems such as ERP
• Streamline–Ensure consistency in your manufacturing and quality planning processes with status tracking, workflow notifications, etc.

VSM: Who is DISCUS Connect designed for?

DS: DISCUS software tools are used by more than 1000 organizations, from large companies such as Lockheed and Rolls-Royce to members of the supply chain such as Barnes Aerospace and Turner Medical.

VSM: What do the “Collaborator” and “Advanced” features of DISCUS Connect provide users?

DS: Similar to the modular approach with DISCUS Desktop, DISCUS Connect has add-on capabilities to allow companies to license only what they need. The Collaborator add-on to DISCUS Connect includes customizable workflow as well as a configurable dashboard with advanced reporting. The Advanced add-on provides the capability for various integrations with ERP and PDM systems.

VSM: How does DISCUS Connect integrate with other DISCUS Software tools?

DS: DISCUS Desktop provides the rich set of tools for characteristic identification and ballooning as part of creating the iTDP for purposes such as AS9102 compliance. With DISCUS Connect, instead of using a local file saved on the computer workstation, a DISCUS Desktop user can seamlessly open and save all of their work on the iTDP Server.

With any common web browser, a DISCUS Connect user can login to the iTDP Server and review their dashboard for workflow events, performance status, etc.  A DISCUS Connect user can also review and approve the requirements and results about a specific part or FAI, including the Bill of Documents, Bill of Characteristics.