By: Elowen Gray
Harrington Group International, LLC (HGI) is a privately owned American software company that focuses on enterprise quality management solutions. Established in 1991 by Rick Harrington, Jr. in Orlando, Florida, the company has developed a range of tools and platforms designed to support quality assurance, compliance, and process improvement across various industries.
Its evolution from early MS-DOS-based applications to cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) platforms demonstrates the broader digital transformation in quality management systems (QMS). Harrington Group International began operations in 1991, focusing on developing digital tools to address quality management challenges.
Its initial products were MS-DOS-based applications created to support functions like quality cost tracking and corrective action management. Among its earliest releases were The Cost of Quality, Corrective Action, and ISO Online. These tools offered organizations structured approaches for documenting, analyzing, and addressing quality issues.
During this period, HGI also collaborated with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the American Society for Quality (ASQ) to align its tools with emerging quality frameworks.
The software was linked with standards in the ASQ 9100 series, marking one of the company’s early engagements with recognized regulatory and compliance requirements. In 1994, HGI played a role in the transition of ISO standards from paper-based to electronic formats.
That year, HGI partnered with ASQ to develop the Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) software, co-owned by ASQ and the University of Michigan. The CSI tool aimed to help businesses measure and analyze customer perceptions, broadening the company’s quality solutions.
Following its work with ISO and ASQ, HGI continued to develop software aimed at modernizing quality management practices. In 1998, the company introduced CaWeb, which is considered one of the first web-based quality management applications.
This marked a significant departure from desktop-based programs and foreshadowed the growing importance of internet-based business solutions. In 2002, HGI launched its flagship product, the Harrington Quality Management System (HQMS).
HQMS was among the first fully integrated, web-based enterprise QMS platforms. It combined multiple modules into a unified system, covering audit management, document control, calibration, training, project management, supply chain oversight, and risk management.
The release of HQMS represented a consolidation of the company’s earlier efforts and established the foundation for its long-term presence in the enterprise software market. Alongside the launch of CaWeb and HQMS, HGI moved toward the software-as-a-service (SaaS) model.
In 1998, the company introduced web-based Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) software, an early online quality management tool. By the early 2000s, HGI expanded its enterprise QMS into SaaS platforms, enabling customers to manage quality processes via cloud instead of local desktops.
This transition reflected industry-wide trends in software deployment, as businesses sought scalable and flexible solutions that reduced reliance on physical infrastructure. Between 1998 and 2005, HGI’s focus shifted steadily from desktop software to integrated, web-enabled systems.
Although the company transitioned to web-based and cloud systems, it continued to maintain support for its legacy desktop tools. Publications such as EINPresswire noted in 2022 that these earlier products remain available to clients who still require them.
This dual approach, offering both legacy and modern solutions, allowed HGI to serve a diverse client base, including organizations that had not fully transitioned to cloud technologies. The company also expanded its software ecosystem with specialized modules and portals, including tools for supplier collaboration.
These developments reinforced HGI’s focus on creating adaptable platforms to meet evolving compliance requirements across various industries, including aerospace, healthcare, automotive, and life sciences.
Over its three-decade history, HGI has contributed to the evolution of quality management software by supporting the digitization of standards, pioneering early web-based applications, and advancing the adoption of SaaS in its sector.
Its work with ISO in the mid-1990s facilitated the move toward electronically accessible quality frameworks. At the same time, products such as CaWeb and HQMS demonstrated how internet-based systems could be used to manage compliance and process improvement on an enterprise scale.
The company’s shift from MS-DOS tools to integrated SaaS solutions illustrates a broader industry trend from manual, paper-based methods to cloud-based quality management systems. Through its products and partnerships, HGI has upheld its role in the ongoing evolution of digital quality management practices.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. While efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the content, the details discussed, including historical developments and product offerings, are based on publicly available information and may be subject to change. Readers should conduct their own research or consult with a qualified professional before making any decisions based on the information presented here.
