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The definition of remote supporting function and remote supporting location

Discussion in 'IATF 16949:2016 - Automotive Quality Systems' started by Mina M, Dec 21, 2016.

  1. Mina M

    Mina M Member

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    I am working as in-house translator for an ISO certification body, and I am stuck to translate the two terms appeared in the same paragraph not sure how I can make it distinguish from one another in my language. (and what's worse, no colleagues are not sure as well.) Could you please anyone help me clarify the difference in definition between "remote supporting functions" and "remote supporting locations" ? Thank you!
     
  2. Vintage Goose

    Vintage Goose Active Member

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    Hi, I dont have a copy of the standard, but I would say that Remote Supporting Location would be the physical site, office or address; whereas Remote Supporting Functions would be a description of the work they do there. eg the Location could be "London" and the Function could be "Purchasing".
     
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  3. Andy Nichols

    Andy Nichols Moderator Staff Member

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    Mina: Welcome! I'd suggest that someone at the CB you work for should have a copy of the IATF "Rules" document and the actual IATF requirements document. The very latest version of both(released in November this year) defines a "supporting location". Since certification to ISO/TS 16949 - now called IATF 16949 - doesn't (from my reading) define "remote location" per se, except to say that a supporting location can be at a "remote location", by which they mean not as part of the manufacturing site (even if it's next door or across the street, city, state or in another country. Simply, multiple or single supporting locations may have single or multiple supporting functions contained in them. Hope this helps.
     
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  4. Miner

    Miner Moderator Staff Member

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    Without getting into specifics, my company has a remote support function (i.e., functional group responsible for the global support activities) that has multiple regional locations from which that support is provided.
     
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  5. Mina M

    Mina M Member

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    Thank you very much for your explanation with an example! It's very clear and now I am getting understand the basic difference!! Thank you!
     
  6. Mina M

    Mina M Member

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    Hello, thank you again for your response to my question and detailed explanation! Now I got the idea, what supporting locations and functions mean. Supporting functions may be in the supporting location. Yes, I think I got it!! Thank you!
     
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  7. Mina M

    Mina M Member

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    Thank you for your response! I can visualize the relation between the two with your simple and clear explanation. I am so lucky to find this forum, I may rely on it a lot from now on for my work!
     
  8. johnnymo77

    johnnymo77 Active Member

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    IATF16949 top of page 15, definition of "remote location": location that supports manufacturing sites and at which non-production processes occur
    No definition of remote function.

    In my read of TRANSITION STRATEGY ISO/TS 16949 › IATF 16949 — REVISION 2, the authors refer to remote supporting function 8 times and remote supporting location 2 times. They seem to be interchangeable.
     
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  9. Mina M

    Mina M Member

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    Thank you for your help! Interchangeable..., I see. So, if the IATF16949 requirements have no definition for the remote function, then maybe I don't have to be so nervous about the difference.. Thank you!
     
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  10. Ann Hannan

    Ann Hannan New Member

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    So....for IATF 16949, how do we manage Remote Site Location when folks are working from home? Will the CBs visit them at home for an audit? or will they allow the folks at home to "remotely" join an audit? The folks working from home may not be within driving distance, and in fact may be in another country.. Would appreciate feedback please
     
  11. Andy Nichols

    Andy Nichols Moderator Staff Member

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    It’s likely to depend on what the work is and most likely, the CB auditor should be more interested in how the organization knows how the work is being managed etc. It’s not truly a “remote location” as conceived before Covid, but ultimately the CB might think a Teams call is appropriate.