DEC STD 072-0

This document, "DEC STD 072-0 Corporate POM (Point of Manufacture) Qualification Requirements," outlines the essential criteria and processes for Digital Equipment Corporation's manufacturing new product teams to achieve and maintain "Point of Manufacture (POM)" qualification. It functions as a cross-functional and system verification standard and is a Phase 3 Exit Requirement for new products.

Purpose and Scope: The standard aims to ensure internal and external customer satisfaction, facilitating a robust product introduction by identifying and correcting systemic problems before volume shipments. It applies to all hardware and software products marketed by Digital, including upgrades, add-ons, and buyouts.

Definition of POM: POM is the manufacturing process that ensures a new product can meet or exceed customer satisfaction requirements throughout its life and integrate seamlessly into customer systems. Key attributes of a POM-qualified product include high quality, ease of ordering, manufacturing, delivery, and installation, compatibility with other Digital products, and support for corporate customer satisfaction goals. Principles emphasize reducing total product cost by ensuring products are finished, "plug and play," and ready for direct shipment.

Key Requirements and Processes:

1. POM Checklist: A comprehensive checklist guides the qualification process, with items tailored to specific product types and recommended phases for start and completion.
2. Responsibilities: Involves cross-functional teams including Manufacturing New Product Teams, Product POM Focus, Quality and Customer Satisfaction groups, and System Integration Engineering (SIE).
3. Technical Verification: SIE provides strategic ownership of tools and methodologies, while product plants are responsible for tactical implementation, testing in customer environments, and managing test data.
4. Order Processing & Distribution: Products must be ready for various ordering channels (e.g., DECdirect, Electronic Store) and have a robust distribution plan to optimize costs and customer service.
5. POM Decision: A formal decision meeting occurs before the First Revenue Ship (FRS). Outcomes include full qualification, conditional qualification (with containment plans for risks), or a waiver. A decision to qualify or conditionally qualify implies a recommendation to ship the product.
6. Maintaining Qualification: This involves continuous monitoring of data (internal, customer, installation), immediate problem resolution via a Corrective Action Request process, and ongoing compliance with technical verification plans for the product's entire lifecycle.
7. Product Transfer Verification: When a product's manufacturing site changes, a re-qualification plan based on the DEC STD 072 checklist is required.

Ultimately, the standard's goals are to achieve problem-free installations, minimize total product costs, eliminate risks at FRS, and ensure consistent product quality and customer satisfaction.