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Series release: definition & important aspects for buyers
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Series release in a nutshell:
Series release is a formal process for qualifying and releasing a product for series production after successful sampling and quality testing. For purchasing, it is a decisive criterion in supplier qualification and marks the transition from the development phase to the series phase with corresponding contractual obligations.
Example: An automotive supplier goes through a 12-week series approval process for a new electronic component, whereby after 3 sampling rounds with 100 parts each and an initial sample inspection with 0 defects, approval is granted for an annual delivery quantity of 50,000 units.
Contents
What is the series release?
The series release is an important step in the production process that represents the official approval to start series production of a product. After prototypes and pre-series have been tested and optimized, the series release confirms that the product meets all quality and performance requirements. This process ensures that no unforeseen problems occur during subsequent mass production and that the products meet the defined specifications.
Core elements of the series release
Importance of series release in purchasing
Series approval plays a crucial role for purchasing, as it forms the basis for successful procurement. It ensures that the procured products are free of defects and meet the requirements. This minimizes risks such as production downtime or complaints and contributes to cost efficiency. In addition, series approval enables Purchasing to establish reliable supplier relationships and ensure the quality of purchased parts in the long term.
Series release: from manual procedures to digitalized release processes
Building on the fundamental importance of series release as a key process for ensuring consistent quality inspection, the practical implementation is the focus of modern companies. Traditionally, this approval process has been characterized by manual steps and extensive paper documentation, leading to time delays and increased risk of errors. In today's dynamic production world, efficient and reliable series approval is crucial in order to remain competitive and meet increasing quality requirements. Therefore, the transition to digitalized approval processes is necessary to increase efficiency and reduce process costs.
Old: Manual series release
Traditional approach: Manual series approval is carried out through physical inspections and extensive paper-based documentation. Inspection reports are handwritten, product drawings and specifications are compared manually, and communication with supplier management is mainly by phone or email. This approach is time-consuming and requires considerable human resources. There is also a high risk of errors due to manual data entry and
Conclusion on the series release
Series release is an indispensable quality assurance process that ensures the successful transition from development to mass production. Structured inspections, close supplier coordination and complete documentation minimize risks and ensure consistent product quality. The increasing digitalization of the approval process offers new opportunities for more efficient and cost-effective processes, while its strategic importance for companies continues to grow.
