2025-05 May Updates

Summary of the changes:



More Categorisation Fields for Deeper Analysis of Issues data

Based on customer feedback, we've added some new fields and matching reports so it's easier to capture more information to do a deep dive into your Issues data, and get more value from the system. For example, see what the most common root causes are:

The new fields are:

  • Reported By - is used to capture which employee reported the issue even if they didn't enter it into QSToolbox themselves, e.g., a shop floor worker who reports issues to their Supervisor.
  • Supplier / Customer - this field creates a link between the Issue and the Contact in the Contacts module in a way that allows reporting. See below for more details on this field.
  • External Reference - prompts users to enter relevant reference information like a Work Order number, Purchase Order, etc, so the issue can be traced to information in an external system.
  • Root Cause* - is a drop down field for users to select from a list of common root causes or cause categories, and QSToolbox generate charts to show the most common root causes.
  • Fault Category* - is another drop down field with options to categorise the type of fault or failure mode. e.g., a Paint, Welding, Dimension, Material, or Quantity fault, with choices customised to suit your business.
  • Origin* - is intended to capture where the Issue has come from or where the problem originated, e.g., the drop-down options could be a list of departments, or processes.

* These last three fields won't show up in your site until we turn them on for you. If you don't see them and would like to use them, please get in touch with our support team. It's possible to change the labels on these fields so if "Failure Mode" makes more sense to you than "Fault Category" it's easy to change it.

A new "Site" Field for Issues and Incidents

Clients who operate from multiple locations or with multiple entities often want to be able to track which location is associated with an Issue or Incident. Until now they've used the "Tags" function to enable this reporting.

We've added a new selection field called "Site" to both Incidents and Issues to replace the Tags approach. The label can be changed if you want to call it something else, e.g., Business Location:

The "Site" field is also used to capture work hours for calculation of injury frequency rates (see below).

If you only have one location or entity, then you won't need this field and it can stay hidden. To turn it on and start using the new 'Site' field, please get in touch with our support team.


Work Hours and Charts for LTIFR, MTIFR, TRIFR

You can now capture monthly work hours data directly into QSToolbox with support for one or more locations using the same options defined for the "Site" field. It's easy to upload your past work hours data to take advantage of the built-in reports.

With work hours data in QSToolbox we can now calculate injury frequency rates and present the data in charts for you to be able to monitor performance trends.


QSToolbox calculates the injury frequency rate using the standard method for Australian companies (see Safe Work Australia), which is:

the number of incidents divided by work hours for the same period, multiplied by one million

QSToolbox shows charts for:

  • LTIFR - Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate
  • MTIFR - Medical Treatment Injury Frequency Rate
  • TRIFR - Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate - (both MTI and LTI)

If you've already been tracking Lost Time and Medical Treatment injuries in the Incidents module of QSToolbox, then all you'll need to do is to start entering your monthly work hours data. If you can't see the work hours tab and the frequency rate reports in the Incidents module, please get in touch for us to turn this on for you.


Track Supplier Performance and Customers with Complaints

With the new 'Supplier/Customer field in Issues providing better links between Contacts and Issues in QSToolbox, you can now get a report on which Suppliers cause the most problems (and also which Customers are giving you feedback).

Check the performance of a particular Supplier before placing a big order, entering contract negotiations, or for Supplier evaluation.

In the same way, review your own performance with major customers for better insight into their perceptions and expectations.


New Layout for Adding Issues

To make it easier for users to handle the extra Issue fields, we've changed the layout from one very busy page to 3 smaller pages. We've also introduced a much improved file upload process. The new layout works better on smaller devices too.

The first page captures the essential details, the second page has a bunch of selection fields to categorise the issue, and the third page is where you can (optionally) upload one or more attachments.

Install the QSToolbox Web App on your Phone

To make it easier to report Issues or Incidents into QSToolbox while you're on the run, install the web app on your phone! This will put an icon on your home screen and launch a simplified home page:

You might see a drop down message about installing the app the next time you access QSToolbox in the browser on your phone. Otherwise it's easy to install via the browser menu (Android) or share menu (iOS). Here's instructions.


Quickly See Who is Competent for the Job

In the Training module, the Job view has been improved to show who is meeting all of the Job requirements and who is missing competencies specific to the job. This makes it easy for a supervisor to see who can and can't be used for the job at hand.

The two people listed on the left under the green heading (Adam and Jane), have current records for all four competency requirements listed for this Job.

Max, shown on the right under the red heading, is missing one or more of the requirements and may need additional or refresher training before being sent to site in this role.

Better Handling of Many Contacts

Some of the views in the Contacts module have been modified to better handle thousands of Contacts. These include updates to the contact groups list view, contact group view, and the contact requirement view: