AssurX Reviews

“extremely flexible”

Pros

From a configuration standpoint, the platform is extremely flexible and supports the full spectrum of quality and compliance requirements. Being cloud-based also cuts down on support-related headaches. It can be adjusted closely to specific business needs and the connection to our ERP system works smoothly. When enough time is invested upfront in planning the rollout and configuring it properly, the product becomes very easy to use and is well accepted by users.

Cons

Everything really comes down to implementation. Because the software is so flexible, it can create problems if the setup does not align with the business process. The configuration tools are easy to access but the documentation is fairly limited so it takes training, time or help from consulting services to get it right. The consulting support is very good but it does add extra cost. The pricing model also becomes less appealing as the number of user licenses grows.

“Modern interface and stellar support”

Pros

Having those pre-configured solutions available was a real plus and definitely helped us choose the product. Even though the first solutions we planned to launch with turned out not to be the right fit, the flexibility and simplicity of the configuration ended up winning us over. We originally chose the product after seeing the older interface but by the time implementation started, AssurX had introduced a new interface. That change made a big difference in making the system feel more modern and much more user friendly for our users. I also have to say the AssurX team has been fantastic to work with from start to finish. From our first conversations with Sales, through onboarding, installation, implementation support from Professional Services and Validation support, everyone has been incredibly helpful and supportive. Honestly we would not have met the objectives set by senior management without their assistance.

Cons

The configuration options and flexibility are excellent but that also comes with a downside. It can be a bit of a double-edged sword. We were lucky to have our own software developer at AMS because they helped us work through some of the more advanced configuration areas that would have been difficult for us otherwise. The initial training was important for learning the fundamentals but there is far more depth in the system than that training alone covers. I am glad to see there are more advanced training topics available for specific areas. We could have built a workable process from the basic training but using the advanced tools has given us a much stronger process especially since we serve customers across multiple sites. The chart and KPI graphics do the job but visually they feel dated compared with what some other suppliers offer. I understand there is a project underway to improve that which I am really looking forward to. Validation is also much more manual than I expected. Some suppliers presented what appeared to be a more automated validation package although we cannot say for certain how automated those really were. That said the Validation team is clearly doing good work on improvements and I am eager to see the project they are developing to make validation more automated.

“Customizable solution”

Pros

Running queries is pretty simple and the system can be customized to fit what we need.

Cons

It would work better if it integrated more effectively with our company ERP system. There should also be more training after launch so admins know how to make formatting changes on their own.

“Highly configurable”

Pros

Right out of the box, the basic EUEM Electric Utility Package handles compliance evidence collection, scheduling and oversight really well. It's a powerful and flexible system that can be configured and customized for more complex automated notifications and evidence collection depending on the situation.

Cons

That same level of power is also what makes it a bit intimidating because the setup process and learning curve can feel overwhelming. While the EUEM utilities package is well built for basic use, AssurX couldn't give me a clear roadmap for how to implement it in my environment. In practice, it felt like I was simply given the software and expected to figure out the implementation on my own. There wasn't much direction on what questions I should be asking myself about how I wanted the system to work or what the best practices were for getting it in place. It honestly felt like I was reinventing the wheel.

“fast workflow deployment”

Pros

Being able to quickly build, test and roll out any workflow process with our internal development team has been a huge advantage.

Cons

My biggest concern in the past has already been resolved with the release of V8. It now supports Unicode which lets us enter, store and share data using double-byte character sets such as Chinese, Japanese and Korean.

“endless flexibility and incredible support”

Pros

The platform feels incredibly flexible and what you can do with it is really only limited by your imagination. The support from the company has also been outstanding, nothing ever seems like too much trouble and they are always happy to work with you and help in any way they can.

Cons

That same level of flexibility does come with a downside though because it creates a pretty overwhelming number of configuration options. To really get the most out of the system, you need a certain level of IT knowledge but if you have that, the possibilities are basically endless.

“Handles multiple quality processes”

Pros

Handling multiple quality processes with it is quite flexible which makes it useful for managing different workflows.

Cons

The programming capabilities feel somewhat limited and connecting it with other systems can be buggy.

“Powerful system”

Pros

One of the biggest advantages of this low-code, agile platform is how much you can customize workflow applications without having to depend on software developers. It also includes powerful 21 CFR Part 11 compliance capabilities that, when set up properly, meet FDA computer system compliance requirements. We use Crystal for reporting and our end users can enter their own parameters and run reports without needing any software installed on their machines which has worked extremely well for us. AssurX support has been exceptional throughout. CATSWeb can be built out as simply or as extensively as you want and the API is comprehensive enough that customization and integration options feel almost unlimited. Up to this point, we have not run into any technical limitations with the tool. When it is implemented the right way, CATSWeb can automate a wide range of internal business processes and deliver significant value to an organization.

Cons

Because the platform is so configurable, it does require strong internal process controls around development activities, including naming standards, change documentation, governance and related practices. To handle this, we created an internal change management workflow inside CATSWeb itself that tracks every system change, whether large or small and it has been incredibly effective. Every application update is tied to a change record that captures the reason for the change, the actual plan, the verification steps and the required review signatures. That approach has kept the evolution of our workflows organized and efficient. Like most software with this much functionality, there is a fairly steep learning curve and CATSWeb is no exception. I would strongly recommend assigning a dedicated CATSWeb SME to really learn the platform and build out your applications. Putting time and money into training early pays off tremendously later on.

“all processes under one roof”

Pros

Having all of our processes in a single place has been a big plus. We currently run 7 processes in CATSWeb and the platform is highly customizable to match your specific system requirements. Working with AssurX has also been a very positive experience-they respond quickly to questions and actively help resolve any problems that come up. CATSWeb also gives you several starting templates for a wide range of processes which you can then tailor to fit exactly what you need.

Cons

Like any system, CATSWeb has its own quirks. Some platforms will offer a few more features than others and that applies here as well. One thing we've learned is that because CATSWeb is so customizable, the customer has to carry more responsibility for having a very strong requirements document from the start. It's important not to assume the system will automatically handle something-if you need it, make sure it is clearly defined as a requirement.

“Knowledgeable team”

Pros

Its fantastic how customizable it is. You can improve the forms and processes you already have or build completely new ones from scratch. It really feels like if you can imagine it, you can set it up. The tracking tools, notifications and interactive dashboards are all incredibly useful. For our management team, those dashboards say more at a glance than pages of explanation ever could. On top of that, the support team is knowledgeable and genuinely helpful.

Cons

At times, our users struggle when they need to move from screen to screen to view all the information tied to a process. They end up clicking back quite a bit and searching for specific items can be frustrating. We also notice at user conferences that there are many impressive new features being shown but it often takes quite a while before we are actually able to get them.

“comprehensive system”

Pros

A big plus is how comprehensive the system feels and features like automatically loading NERC Standards are genuinely useful. The workflow is also well designed since it sends reviews to the assigned people for signoff without much manual follow-up.

Cons

Setting up queries and reports can be pretty complex at first although being able to save them for later use is definitely a nice benefit. It also takes quite a bit of time to really learn how to use the system.