The Proquis Story

A Need is Identified – A Software Imagined

In 1991, David Best was working as a consultant focusing on compliance and auditing for various clients and in the course of this work, recognized that some were struggling to “get a grip on their systems". A number of David’s clients were having trouble complying with the requirements of BS 5750 in the UK, the forerunner to ISO 9000. David understood that these clients needed an overarching quality management system that included such elements as document control, issues tracking, etc. They determined the need for a system to be put in place to ensure that processes would be accomplished in an efficient, verifiable, and repeatable manner.

A Software is Created

David, upon identifying this pressing need among many of his clients, enlisted his brother, Bill, to help him create a software to address these clients' needs. With David focusing on the design, and Bill focusing on the coding, the two soon created the first iteration of the Proquis (pronounced [pro-kwis]) software. Though the initial software was rudimentary, it did function as designed, helping to ensure clients' compliance with requirements as well as providing a structure to facilitate a clients' diverse business processes.

Powerful Software Meets Expert Customization

From the very beginning, Proquis software was designed to be more than “plug-and-play”, offering a one-size-fits-all solution to disparate businesses and industries. Instead, it was developed to be a dynamic and robust software working in tandem with Proquis personnel's expertise in customizing and adapting this dynamic system to each client's specific needs.

As Client Needs Change – So Does Proquis

As Proquis was adopted by more and more top-tier clients, other needs became apparent, inspiring the development of even more Proquis modules. Such modules focusing on management review, customer care, auditing, etc., were added over years of development to fulfill the ever-widening needs of their clients. The Proquis developers, instead of creating “fixed” modules (modules that were “set in stone” and difficult or impossible to adapt to users' needs), created modules which were fluid enough to allow the client to use them in novel, and industry specific ways. Proquis has worked closely with their clients to help them to creatively configure these modules to provide greater benefit. This is one of the great strengths of Proquis – that it can be used quite effectively as is, or highly tailored to meet the needs of a particular client.

At the genesis of the Proquis software, it existed as a fairly simple, standalone or LAN software, but in 2001, Proquis evolved further, migrating to asp/.net web-based structure, adding to the flexibility and robustness of the software. The fact that Proquis is web-based and that its architecture is built on standard Microsoft Windows O/S infrastructure, allows clients' IT personnel to more easily customize it for their own use. One client, for instance, has integrated the Proquis system into their existing systems in such a way as to make it “invisible” to many of their users. This has benefited that organization greatly as their users were able to immediately take advantage of the power of the Proquis system, without even realizing they were using the Proquis system. It also greatly lessened the amount of time required to train such personnel, thus saving the organization time and money.

The client's needs have always been the guiding factor in how the Proquis software has been developed, and what functionality would be built into it. And though Proquis developed a wide range of modules covering a profusion of business processes, it was always apparent that not every client wanted or needed every module. So instead of requiring clients to purchase the Proquis software on an “all or nothing” basis, Proquis offered the modules “a la carte.” Each module was designed to work together seamlessly, but it was not necessary to use, (and pay for) every module to benefit from Proquis' extraordinary functionality. This allows the client to choose any or all of the modules, whichever meet their needs, all the while confident in the fact that they can add new modules at a later time as new business requirements mandate, and/or budgeting issues allow.

The Proquis Solution

The Proquis company has now evolved beyond being simply a software developer and provider of complex software programs. Proquis now offers their clients the Proquis Solution: exceptional software meets full-service business process consulting. As Proquis has worked with customers in a variety of areas (healthcare, aerospace, manufacturing, etc.), the company has gained invaluable knowledge into these highly specialized areas. Their work with such important organizations as Airbus, Unisys, and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has provided them with substantial insight. Proquis has become, in essence, a “subject matter expert” in a number of diverse industries. This expertise allows Proquis to assist customers in ways well beyond simply being a software vendor. The Proquis team members become advisors with extensive knowledge in the client's industry and are crucial players in helping the client make decisions regarding all aspects of their business processes.

Allclear Adds Value

Proquis realized that as companies began to view their businesses in terms of processes, a strong process mapping solution would be of great benefit to their clients. In 2000, Proquis began offering Allclear, a superior process mapping program, unique among all others for its “text-to-graphics” interface which allows for extremely speedy production of process maps.

Proquis Going Forward

Over the past 19 years, Proquis has developed dynamic programs which have simply made life easier for its clients. This is the direct result of David's initial vision for a dynamic Quality Management System tailored to meet and exceed the clients' needs. As these needs have evolved, so has Proquis Enterprise. Proquis has become a formidable contender among its competitors – now offering not only best-in-class quality management (with exceptional customization options), but also the opportunity, with Allclear, to visually represent these processes with ease. Proquis is committed to developing new programs, exploring new ideas, and helping its clients meet the challenges of an ever-changing regulatory landscape.