New MSDS Authoring Tool
Provides GHS Compliant Documents
(May 22, 2008)
SiteHawk announces the release of SiteHawk (M)SDS Engineer 2.0, which delivers enhanced tools to assist in authoring GHS compliant Safety Data Sheets (SDSs).
» Read More
This article discusses REACH and GHS, their connection and the effect they may have on you and your facility.
» Read More
Finding the Right MSDS Partner
| QUALITIES TO LOOK FOR | QUESTIONS TO ASK |
| Vendor Service Record | How responsive is the vendor? What is their customer retention rate? How long have they been in business? What do their current customers say about their service? |
| Software Ease-of-Use AND Comprehensiveness | Can the basic user easily access your manufacturer's MSDSs? How easy is it for the user to login and navigate the software? What are the search mechanisms and are there basic and advanced options? Can the software meet the more advanced needs while still remaining intuitive? Does it assist with the more complex EH&S needs AND meet the more basic workplace compliance needs? |
| Method for Population and Maintenance | How is information entered and the database populated? Do you have access to the full MSDS? Is relevant information tracked for searching and reporting? How is it tracked (OCR can introduce search issues and re-keying data into standard format introduces liability transfer)? |
| Hardware/Software Compatibility | How much support and time will be required of your IT resources for implementation and maintenance? Will you need to upgrade your software or hardware? Can it use standard software and existing hardware? What is the time and cost commitment? What is the platform, meaning is it delivered via the Internet (ASP or SaaS) or is it a client application that must be installed locally? |
| Technical Support | Is technical support available 24/7? Are there additional charges for technical support? Is there a limit to the amount of technical support included? How quickly is the response for technical issues? |
| Search Capabilities | Are there multiple searching options? Are the searches easy to use? Are the searches limited to your notebook or do they include access to vendor's master database? What is included in the search results? Can search results be exported in report format? |
| Reliability and Security | How secure is your data? If ASP or SaaS technology, what is the uptime guarantee? Are there options for tiered security logins? Can you manage users and control their access level? |
| User Education /Software Training | How is training conducted? How much is included and what is included? Is training offered at implementation and annually thereafter? Are there tools to assist with your compliance training? Are the tools included or at extra charge? Are new features reviewed and training tools available at no charge? |
| Allowable Users | How many users are included in your license fee? Are you charged for additional users? |
| Regulatory Compliance and Reporting | Are there regulatory tools to assist with reporting? What regulations are supported? How do they support new regulations if new are introduced? Is the regulatory information kept current? Are associated tools updated when changes are made to regulations? Are there charges for such upgrades? How are changes to material formulations handled in the regulatory tools? |
| Reporting | How easily can you generate useful reports? Are the reports pre-built or must you create from scratch? Are they customizable and do they allow you to choose the fields easily and without effort? What formats are the outputs offered in (i.e. is Excel an option for data manipulation)? Do you have the software already that allows you to view reports? (.pdf, Microsoft Excel or Word, HTML, etc.) |
| System Updates | How is the system updated? How much are you required to do when an update is necessary? How do you know when an update is complete or necessary? How much of your IT support is necessary? Are standard updates included in your license fee or are there additional costs? |
| Cost Breakdown | Are there hidden costs? Are there charges for reviews and updates and additions of MSDSs? Are you billed per transaction or billed annually? What is included in the license fee, what features are you getting? What is included in each fee? What is a la carte? |