User Reviews
The Lean Machine by Lean & Mean Business Systems
USER REVIEWS - All reviews
Purchased Date: January 01, 2008
DIrector IT, Rieker
May 17, 2012
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Pros
Great customer focus, easy to work with and I see improvements every time we get a new update
Cons
Missing some of the standard conventions that of come with MS or Apple apps, but as a legacy app, it is improving rapidly.
Overall
Would highly recommend this solution
Purchased Date: August 01, 2011
Quality Specialist , Fio Corporation
February 07, 2012
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Pros
-Diverse functionality with great document control features such as varied search filters, document obsolescence, document change orders, training lists and records
-Very easily customizable to fulfill individual needs
-Great setup of admin and management rep users and ability to switch roles
-Great customer support and service
-Price
Cons
-Not intuitive to users - Training is required and recommended
-A little slow (hosted externally)
Overall
A nifty and lean system with great functionality, I have used many other validated doc management system, each with their own issues (document stuck in workflows, incorrect revisions uploaded, ect), the design and functionality to TLM definitely address a number of the issues the bigger names have. No software is without bugs but the system easily recovers from the issues and the customer support and service is superb when needed.
> Vendor Responses
02/07/2012 by Lean & Mean Business Systems
Purchased Date: October 01, 2003
Quality Systems Manager, MDA Information Systems, Inc.
November 02, 2011
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Pros
Since October 2003, The Lean Machine has been the sole source of document compliance for my organization. During that time and support has been consistently excellent and the product has provided solutions that met all of our needs as an ISO Registered organization.
Cons
No intranet functionality.
Overall
We are currently experiencing a period of tremendous growth. Because of this, we needed a broader system that could be utilized from several different locations. We found it easy to convert to TLM Enterprise, which will now support our much larger organization.
> Vendor Responses
11/03/2011 by Lean & Mean Business Systems
Purchased Date: May 01, 2011
Laboratory Manager, Weeneebayko General Hospital
September 22, 2011
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Pros
1) Full QMS features
2) Each Module is integrated
3) Adaptability to suit operational needs
4) Ability to set up a full QMS program with special auditing tools meeting the 500+ ISO 15189plus standards (Ontario Laboratory Accreditation)
5) Strategic Planning, Project Planning, and Task Manager module to better map out projects and programs
6) Mass Document Loading and Release feature - this was a huge time saver (we had over 1000 documents to be controlled)
Cons
1) With the many features, there are many buttons (but these can be turned off or on) - terminology can be modified in each module that better suits the local business culture or industry
2) With some of the modules, naturally there is a learning curve but once operating, managing changes is a breeze.
Overall
When I arrived at WGH, I was facing the impossible! We were facing serious regulatory difficulties and on top of it all, an imminent inspection within 4 months by QMP-LS assessors!
There was no other solution other than the "Lean Machine" at the time that could completely transform the laboratory into an ISO compliant operation overnight.
We achieved a 92% compliancy rating after the peer inspection!
David - your Lean Machine QMS database is amazing. Thanks for the site visit consultation, the many hours of expertise you offered our lab, and a complete turn-key solution to address our regulatory compliancy challenges!
Purchased Date: March 01, 2011
Dr, LifeWAY Technology Co.,Ltd
March 26, 2011
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Pros
1. AFter sales support
Amasingly fast response for suuport.
Whenever we had any problem, big or small,
TLM support team responded within 24 hours!
I am an ex IBM mainframe user in Asia,
never had this kind of treatment for a long
time till now.Using state of the art fastsupport technique,they were able to assist us as if they were sitting next to us to solve all the hiccups....big or small....not just getting us in time for the audit, but ensuring we are using every feature the right way without using too much computer storage memory.
2. ISO 9000
The time it took from installing the software to passing our first audit was a mere 4 weeks and we got the clean bill for certification albeit one minor non conformity and was allowed for followed up observation...thats all
3 User Friendly
The software was easy enough to learn that formal training was not needed. we didn't have to pay for classes or consulting to learn how to use TLM...it was just the perfect software.
Cons
No cons!
all design and management decisions are tough decisons and without control it is imposible to achieve yield and quality. TLM take over the role of a hard task master on management behalf.......its logic run the way we would do our work...from design to inventory to BOM to work order issue....from
management document control requirements in every step of the design to quality control for incoming to finishing production...
What cons? it is amasingly thorough and intelligent as a tool for management to be remote and yet able to see what is going on and to ensure no one runs high volume produciton into risks as all the design rules can be selectively enabled batch to batch!
How were we able to do that?
we just follow all the software modules built within TLM enterprise!
Overall
4. Auditor
Our ISO auditor commented that one of our strength was knowing how to rely on software when it is typically not possible given our size today to do ISO from design to production and yet have 6 sigma with all processes under controlled.
He said he observed that we got what we wanted...(a 6 signma controlled process) via a ISO 9000 tool that uses a centralised database like TLM to start up...he was impressed with our quality system as a result of TLM.
He has never known this software before and when he realised we are a new comer to using it, he could not believe we could master it in such a short time.
5. Value for money
If we have made it to a successful company with
huge success measured the industry way,
this is one company we want to come back with and say, here is 100,000 USD,
use it for whatever development you want to do.. you have helped us so much
Best investment I have ever made!
Purchased Date: January 01, 2005
Purchasing Manager, Atlas Spine
March 26, 2011
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Pros
The Lean Machine is a very effective tool when you need the job done right. I have been working with David for many years and have never had a problem. Therefore, I recommend this product to everyone I work with.
Cons
Like every system you find a few bugs, here too.
Overall
My one, and only Con had to be the bugs one would find in any system; however, this system has the flexibility required to mold and adapt with any company. With David and his team working right along with us through every minor detail, nothing has been a problem to adjust. Outstanding job and keep up the good work.
Purchased Date: June 01, 2010
Director of Quality, Hansa Mold Tool and Die
February 09, 2011
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Pros
This is an extremely easy system to operate and with the price is by far the best for the money. The support that you get from this system is almost instantaneous and any things that are required for your company are done within a day or two. This would never be possible from another system.
Cons
There are almost no cons for this product. It does take some time to implement, however so does every system. The could be an area where training could be conducted that wouldn't affect the real life data that has been entered. There could also be work around when trying to develop processes that template information could be used to speed understanding of later modules.
Overall
This is a fantasic system with the best customer support of any system I have ever used. I have and will continue to recommend the system to anyone looking for this type of software and look forward to working with this system well into the future.
Purchased Date: February 01, 2008
Director of Engineering, Danville Materials
January 22, 2011
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Pros
This software has it all and at a more than reasonable cost. We have used software developed by David for the past 10 years for our complaint handling, we were more than happy when he came out with TLM and realized that it could do so much more for our ISO 13485 company. It has served us well through many ISO and FDA audits, an FDA auditor even asked for the name of the software. Customer support has been very helpful in fine tuning the software/reports to meet our specific needs for audits, even ones requested a day before the audit. The software is straight forward to use, we have 8 personnel in two different locations using it seamlessly. TLM machine has the best customer support I have ever used, problems and requests for help were answered quickly and efficiently.
Cons
Not knowing what goodie module to use first, seriously this software has so much it can be addicting spending time exploring all the modules.
Overall
If you are looking for a software package that has it all this is certainly worth purchasing. I would recommend this to anyone who needs a complete software package to satisfy their compliance needs, its hard to find software and customer support that both work well and TLM does both.
Purchased Date: February 01, 2008
CEO, InspecTech Aero Service, Inc
November 12, 2010
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Pros
TLM has all of the features that we were looking for to meet the stringent requirements mandated in the aerospace industry. Functions that were not in TLM that we needed, the Tech Support at TLM implemented all of the functions we had requested. For being in compliance with ISO standards this is the best software we have used.
Cons
So far any issues we have had with the software TLM has resolved them in a very timely manner.
Overall
I strongly recommend this software for companies looking for the complete package. We selected this software because it can handle all business functions in one program. Also what sold us was the customer and not having to use multiple software programs. This is great product.
Purchased Date: January 01, 2009
President, Cytonics Corporation
November 12, 2010
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Pros
The Lean Machine is 10 out 10 in ease of use, flexibility, functionality, service and support. We are currently using it to manage our clinical diagnostic lab, and with the help of David Smithstein, have been able to customize the system's function to allow us to manage our entire production process from ordering materials, through generating work orders, to managing all quality documentation, to tracking inventory and WIP, through to managing incoming patient specimens and all the way to sending patient test results, all within the Lean Machine system. There is not a product for GMP or GLP document and manufacturing control that compares to the Lean Machine in capabilities at such an incredibly affordable price.
Cons
We have seen a great improvement in speed and ease of synchronization with the Lean Machine Enterprise version.
Overall
This is the second FDA regulated company that I have used The Lean Machine for managing the manufacturing process and controlling documentation. The software has been invaluable to every facet of my production operations. I have looked around and I am completely confident that there is not a better value out there for a system that gives complete lot number traceability, bill of material management, work order processing, and document version number control. The incredible service and support that the company gives in addressing questions is invaluable "icing on the cake." I am not sure when David sleeps, but his responsiveness in support is par excellence.
> Vendor Responses
We just maximize the impact of the waking hours we do have by practicing what we preach and building lean processes within our own organization. You can't do anything for 10 years that causes you to lose sleep; the body just won't tolerate that much neglect for that long.
And of course we use our own product. "Killing two birds with one stone" is an SOP at LMBS.
11/14/2010 by Lean & Mean Business Systems
Purchased Date: December 01, 2009
Calibration Engineer, Supertron Sensing Pte Ltd
November 08, 2010
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Pros
We are a calibration laboratory seeking accreditaion for ISO17025 located here in Singapore. We had been using TLM for years, as part of our documentation requirement. The good thing about this software is the ease of making changes and update. David was able to support us on update and installations quickly & easily even though we are located in a different time zone.
Cons
TLM was pattered according to ISO 9001, that is why some features are not applicable to us, even so, we are able to use the software for our management requirements.
Overall
Highly recomment as management tool software for those seeking accreditation for ISO.
Purchased Date: February 01, 2009
Director of Operations, Osteogenics Biomedical
November 04, 2010
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Pros
The Lean Machine has changed the way we handle Quality Assurance at Osteogenics. The system saves us time and helps us coordinate complex projects. Implementation was very fast. We were up and running on many of the modules immediately. The Lean Machine staff are world class. Any feature requests or technical questions are quickly addressed.
Cons
We have not experienced any cons.
Overall
I would highly recommend The Lean Machine to any company wanting to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their QA processes. It will save you time and money.
Purchased Date: March 01, 2009
Director of Quality, Alternative Labs
October 28, 2010
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Pros
This easy to use, highly adaptable software has made short work of developing and implementing our quality plan. When I've needed help or had an idea on how the software could better serve us David has fielded the questions and challenges promptly and effectively. The interactive modules help keep us lean and mean.
Cons
I'd like a report writer to create/modify forms.
Overall
The best value in Quality and Lean Management software by far.
> Vendor Responses
1. It saves our customers a lot of time figuring out how to create reports.
2. It gives us insight to what is needed and often a request in one area of the software will drive improvements in other modules.
3. We can make sure the report is accurate, since we are more familiar with the underlying data structure and relationships between the various tables involved in the report.
4. We can build in any needed flexibility so other users might find the report useful as well.
11/01/2010 by Lean & Mean Business Systems
Purchased Date: July 01, 2004
President, Phoenix Medical Devices
February 06, 2010
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Pros
Excellent version & checkout control, management control. The ability to designate certain classes of documents and then list per the classification is helpful. The distribution control of controlled documents works well.
We like the super fast response from customer support. Also, the software designer is open to special improvements to assist our workflow and data integrity. There was one instance when we were actually undergoing a FDA inspection and a version control deficiency was identified and that same day David Smithstein implemented a fix that has been made a permanent feature in the software.
Of particular value to us is the quick search features that allow us to locate specific documents by various means. In a recent FDA inspection the inspectors commented on the easy location and presentation of documentation they requested.
We constantly modify our documents and the version control and saving of historical versions is excellent.
Highest Recommendation!!
Cons
There are too many screens for the review and approval of existing documents. It would be nice to have a one click "review and release" button for documents that haven't changed but require review every 12 months.
The individual screens can not be increased in size.
Overall
I have recommended TLM to auditors, inspectors and fellow regulatory and quality professionals over the last 5 years. I looked at many QMS packages when we started our company and TLM was not a front runner then, they were a small company with a fledgling product and it has grown and improved over the years into an excellent product that I am comfortable continuing to recommend.
Five Stars!
> Vendor Responses
Naturally this screen is tailored to the individual user, opens from their dashboard, and only displays documents they are the owner of.
11/12/2010 by Lean & Mean Business Systems
Purchased Date: January 01, 2007
Quality Control Supervisor, Atlas Spine Inc
January 11, 2010
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Pros
Efficient all in one system. We use it to mange Quality records as well as equipment records.
Cons
Inventory Migration out to Quickbooks was not developed for our needs.
Overall
I would recommend this system as a one platform serves all. Its encompasses a quality management system you would usually only find across a much larger more expensive system or only with Purchases with Multiple systems.
