Virtual Audit

In life science and other regulated environments, audit is necessary to comply with regulations and to ensure the quality of products. Regulated companies not only need audits - they need frequent audits. However, in these economically challenging times, frequent on-site audits can be costly. Fortunately, there is such a thing as "virtual audit"- conducting an audit without being physically present at the facility under audit.

When Virtual Audit is Helpful

If your company is regulated, you must remember that not all audits are created equal. Therefore, not all audits can or should be performed remotely. Virtual audit should be based on risk.

Virtual audit is helpful in the following situations (again, it has to be based on risk):

• If you have prospective customers from other states or overseas who are evaluating your products and services, they may ask for an audit before they make their final decision. You may offer virtual audit as an option to help them save time and money on travel.
• If you have existing customers that require periodic audits, virtual audit is a viable option for follow-up audits. If additional information is needed, you may set up a video conference.
• If your company has to conduct internal quality audit and you have facilities in other cities, states, or countries, virtual audit will help save considerable time and money.

While virtual audit is great for the situations mentioned above, it is only effective if both the auditee and the auditor utilize an electronic document management system (EDMS). One of the biggest advantages of an EDMS is that it can offer secure links that will limit the auditor's access to the system, so you can rest assured that only relevant information will be shown to the auditor. Is it possible to conduct a virtual audit without an EDMS? Perhaps, but not as easily.