Quality control for manufacturers
Catch quality problems before your customer does.
Ako asks your operators for the right checks on every part at every step, and collects the readings on WhatsApp. It flags problems as they happen and follows up on every defect until it's fixed.
Share of parts rejected on your floor each week
Defective parts per million (PPM) your customers found each week
What you'd see three months in, using a sample auto components plant. Open Needs you and approve something.
Works on its own
It runs every shift without you asking.
Ako tells each operator what to check and when, and follows up if they miss it. You get a short report every morning and a message the moment something goes wrong.
Good morning. Last week in-house rejection was 1.9%, down from 2.3%. Bore oversize on BR-180 is still the top defect. 2 corrective actions are due this week and 3 things are waiting for your OK.
Bore readings on BR-180, line 2, have gone up for 4 hours in a row. The last one was 25.018 mm and the limit is 25.020. It looks like tool wear. Shall I ask Sunil to change the insert and hold this hour's parts?
Yes
Sunil changed the insert and the next 5 readings are between 25.004 and 25.008. I've held 140 parts for 100% inspection.
Every shift
- Asks each operator for the checks due on their part and step
- Collects readings and photos on WhatsApp
- Alerts the supervisor if a reading is out of spec
- Reminds anyone who misses a check
Every day
- Sends you rejections by part, line and defect
- Spots readings drifting toward a limit before parts go bad
Every week
- Ranks your top defects and follows up on corrective actions
- Reviews your records for gaps and specs that don't match
- Scores your suppliers on incoming quality
- Sends you a report and anything that needs your OK
Every month
- Prepares your management review
- Checks calibration dates and missing records before audits
Inspection plans
The right checks at every step.
When a part reaches a new step, Ako messages the operator the checks due there: what to measure, the spec, the gauge and how often. It takes them from your control plans and checksheets, and asks your quality head when two of them disagree.
- Hardness170 to 230 HBBrinell tester · 5 per lot
- Porosity and cracksNone visibleVisual · Every part
- Material gradeIS 1865 grade 500/7Supplier test certificate · Every heat
| Check | Spec | How | How often |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness | 170 to 230 HB | Brinell tester | 5 per lot |
| Porosity and cracks | None visible | Visual | Every part |
| Material grade | IS 1865 grade 500/7 | Supplier test certificate | Every heat |
What it does
The work it does for you.
It handles the records, reminders and follow-up, so your quality team can spend their time fixing problems.
Asks for the right checks
Messages each operator the checks that apply to the part and step they're on, so nothing gets skipped.
Collects inspection records
Operators send readings and photos on WhatsApp. Ako logs them against the part, batch and shift, so you stop chasing paper registers.
Catches problems early
It alerts the supervisor when a reading is out of spec or drifting toward a limit, so bad parts are stopped before they pile up.
Follows up on corrective actions
Drafts the corrective action report (NCR or 8D), assigns owners and reminds them until each action is closed.
Keeps track of suppliers
Logs incoming rejections, scores each supplier and emails them about repeat problems.
Reviews your records
Checks your records every week for gaps, specs that don't match and open actions, and puts together reports for customer and ISO audits.
Your team still does the inspections. Ako makes sure the right checks get done, recorded and followed up.
Approvals
You decide what happens to your parts.
Ako does without asking
- Asking operators for the checks due
- Logging readings and photos from the floor
- Reminding operators about missed checks
- Alerting supervisors about out-of-spec readings
- Daily and weekly reports
Ako asks you before
- Changing the checks for a part
- Putting a batch on hold or releasing it
- Closing a corrective action
- Emailing a customer or supplier
You can approve from WhatsApp, Slack or the dashboard, and choose who on your team gets each kind of request.
Results
What to expect in the first three months.
Fixing the cause of a defect takes a few weeks. This is the usual pattern.
Week 1
Your operators get their checks on WhatsApp every shift, and you get your first daily report.
Month 1
Records come in every shift without chasing, and you can see rejection by part, line and defect each day.
Months 2 to 3
Fixes for your top defects start to work. Rejection goes down and fewer problems reach your customers.
After that
Ako adds new parts and suppliers as they come in, and your records are ready whenever a customer or auditor asks.
Ako compared with paper registers or quality software.
| Ako | Paper and Excel | Quality software | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keeps a record of every inspection | |||
| Asks for the right checks for each part and step | |||
| Operators use it on WhatsApp with no training | |||
| Spots problems as readings come in | |||
| Follows up with people until actions are closed |
Common questions
How much does it cost?
It depends on how many parts and people Ako works with each month. We'll go through it with you on the demo.
Do my operators need to install anything?
No. They use WhatsApp, in the language they're comfortable with.
What does an operator have to do?
When they start a part or a new step, Ako messages them the checks due. They reply with the readings or a photo of the checksheet. If they miss one, Ako reminds them.
What kind of manufacturing does it work for?
Machined, cast, forged, fabricated, moulded and plated parts. If your parts go through a series of steps with checks along the way, it fits.
Can it help with ISO 9001 or IATF 16949 audits?
Yes. It keeps your inspection records, corrective actions and calibration dates in order and puts together the reports auditors ask for. Certification is still up to your auditor.
Do we need to connect our ERP?
No. Ako works from what your team sends on WhatsApp and the Excel sheets you already keep. If you can export production, dispatch or supplier receipts from your ERP, Ako uses them to work out rejection rates and trace a complaint back to its batch.
What happens when a process or supplier changes?
Tell Ako what changed. It updates the checks for every part affected and sends you the changes to approve.
Who decides if a part is OK?
Your team. Ako checks readings against the spec and flags problems, but holding or releasing parts and closing actions need your OK.