IBM Personal Systems Group. Applications and results of reliability and quality programs

The application of reliability and quality techniques, supported by a sound quality management system, have resulted in dramatic improvements in manufacturing yields, as well as other internal and external quality metrics for IBM's Personal Systems Group (PSG) products. These improvements, product performance and higher customer satisfaction, were realized while reducing IBM costs. This accomplishment is critical in the highly competitive personal computer marketplace, and demonstrates IBM's commitment to excellence. Using this solid management system, these goals can be obtained in a high volume highly complex manufacturing process as well as a low volume low complexity process, as PSG manufactures systems in both environments. In summary, spectacular improvements have been achieved at a worldwide level, across all the PSG product brands. This has been achieved by excellent teamwork and "attention to detail" by PSG engineers worldwide. The extended team intends to enhance this activity during 1999 and beyond in order to drive performance to the next level and deliver further benefits to IBM and their customers.