As companies shift toward cloud-native solutions that emphasize scalability, integrations, and configurability, MasterControl’s structure is showing its cracks.
Although MasterControl has long been a fixture in quality management software, particularly for life sciences and highly regulated industries like medical devices and pharmaceuticals, many of its features feel like relics from its on-premise past—vestigial at best, counterproductive at worst.
Let’s walk through some of the most challenging features within the MasterControl platform and why sticking with it could cost you more than just time.
1. Third-Party Reporting & Analytics – A Security Paradox
One of the most baffling aspects of MasterControl’s software system is its approach to reporting and analytics. Instead of offering a built-in, configurable solution, MasterControl relies on third-party tools. This creates a fundamental problem: these external reporting tools don’t adhere to MasterControl’s own Roles & Privileges model, potentially exposing sensitive data to unauthorized users.
The Propel Advantage:
Propel AI and analytics are natively built into the platform, automatically aligning with your organization's security and permissions structure. As Propel CEO Ross Meyercord noted in his predictions on current technology trends:
“Keeping data and proprietary models secure within the ecosystem and safeguarding sensitive information is what will differentiate science projects from enterprise-ready applications.”
With Propel, reporting isn’t an afterthought—it’s a seamlessly integrated, role-based experience that keeps your data secure.
2. The InfoCard Overload – Everything Looks and Functions the Same
MasterControl’s user interface (UI) is stuck in the past. Every object—whether a part, document, supplier record, or quality event—is treated as an "InfoCard," with identical menus, metadata fields, and frozen layouts.
This rigid structure:
- Prevents dynamic fields and formula fields that adjust based on input.
- Lacks differentiation between critical business objects.
- Forces users into unnecessary clicks and searches to retrieve essential data.
The Propel Advantage:
Propel’s cloud-native platform provides a dynamic UI with contextual field management, workflow-driven automation, and an intuitive experience tailored to each user’s role. Whether accessing document control, CAPA workflows, pricing, audit management, or production records, users see only the most relevant information—no more sifting through redundant menus.
3. MasterControl’s Anti-Configuration Stance
MasterControl discourages customers from configuring their system, citing concerns about upgradeability. While this may have been a valid concern in the era of on-premise software, modern SaaS solutions like Propel have eliminated this issue.
The Propel Advantage:
With Propel, configuration isn’t a risk—it’s a necessity. Organizations can adapt the system to their business needs without worrying about breaking future upgrades. Propel’s cloud-native quality management system allows full UI customization, admin-driven changes, and no-code automation through Salesforce Flow—all while ensuring seamless updates.
4. "Validation in a Box"—A Roadblock to Innovation
MasterControl Quality Excellence is a Validation on Demand (VoD) approach, which sounds convenient, but in reality, it hinders innovation. For example, it took MasterControl years to introduce a Graphical Workflow Tool, a feature that should be standard in any modern QMS.
Why? Because every new feature has to conform to VoD’s rigid framework, dramatically slowing down product development.
The Propel Advantage:
Propel supports continuous validation with automated testing, allowing companies to adopt new features without disruptive validation roadblocks. This enables businesses to keep pace with evolving regulatory requirements while benefiting from Propel’s frequent product enhancements.
5. MasterControl’s Hollow BOM Structure
MasterControl claims to offer BOM management, but its functionality is shockingly limited. Instead of a true, structured BOM, MasterControl relies on a collection of InfoCards connected in a simplistic format. Key limitations include:
- No ability to manage AML (Approved Manufacturer List) at the BOM level.
- No true subassembly or multi-level BOM tracking.
- No real-time costing or historical cost tracking.
- No integration with component intelligence tools like Silicon Expert.
The Propel Advantage:
Propel was designed with a native BOM structure that enables complete visibility into components, subassemblies, AML, redlining, and real-time cost tracking. With deep integration into supply chain and ERP systems, Propel ensures your product data is always accurate and actionable.
6. The "Swivel Chair" Between Systems
MasterControl lacks deep integrations with key enterprise systems like PLM, forcing users into a "swivel chair" experience where they manually transfer data between systems. This not only wastes time but also introduces a risk of data inconsistencies and compliance issues.
The Propel Advantage:
Propel QMS is built on a unified platform with PLM, and offers seamless integrations with ERP, CAD, MES, and other essential supply chain systems, ensuring that quality event management, commercialization, and product development are interconnected throughout the entire development cycle. With Propel, organizations gain full traceability from design to production to post-market quality event tracking.
It’s Time to Make the Move to Cloud-Native Quality Management
MasterControl’s legacy architecture continues to show its age, making it difficult for companies in regulated industries to scale efficiently. Propel, by contrast, is a cloud-native QMS designed to:
- Streamline quality event management and regulatory compliance.
- Provide real-time insights without relying on third-party tools.
- Allow full configurability without compromising upgradeability.
- Enable modern quality processes and validation processes that don’t stall innovation.
- Seamlessly integrate with ERP, MES, and supply chain tools.
If you’re still struggling with MasterControl’s limitations, it may be time to explore a more configurable, scalable solution.
Ready to bring your quality processes into the future? Discover how Propel QMS can streamline your regulatory compliance and scale with your evolving business needs. Get a demo today.
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