I beg to differ...
I've worked for one of the largest electronics companies in the world as a
professional statistician for 15 years. I've used SAS, BMDP, SPSS,
StatGraphics, JMP, Statistica, and MINITAB. I used to have to rely on SAS to
do most of my statistical analyses, but since MINITAB release 12 has been
available, I'm happy to say I no longer need SAS.
The original post was looking for QC and DOX (I call this DOE) software for
their manager. For industrial statistics (MSA, process capability, DOE, SPC,
Reliability) I would venture to say only that the only software packages that
are even in the running are: StatGraphics (yes, its old, but it has powerful
tools), SPSS (but you'd have to buy SPSS and about 3 or 4 extra modules), JMP,
Statistica, and MINITAB. The last time I looked at S-Plus and Systat, which
was about two years ago, their DOE tools were relatively archaic compared to
the other packages - forcing the user to work only with transformed factor
levels (-1 &1), plus they didn't have strong MSA and process capability tools.
Has SPSS killed this package? - I can't find mention of it on their web site.
SAS is powerful, but it is expensive, overwhelming for the typical user, and
it still provides awkward tools, especially for MSA & DOE. Don't get me wrong
here - SAS is certainly the top stat package available, and still the best for
high level statistics.
SPSS has some great modules, but the are disconnected - JMP, Statistica, and
MINITAB provide all-in-one solutions. It looks to me like SPSS had decided to
move away from industrial statistics to business statistics (regression,
modeling, data mining, etc.).
Statistica is also powerful, but it is much harder for the typical engineer or
tech. to learn than the JMP or MINITAB. It does have one heck of a graphics
engine though.
In my experience, JMP and MINITAB are the winners in the professional
industrial statistics world. The only real problem with JMP is that SAS seems
to have decided not to invest much effort in improvements. With JMP 4
releasing soon we may see some good new stuff; however, that will be the first
major new release in something like five years!
Of the two, MINITAB has clearly become the software of choice by most, if not
all, of the Six Sigma companies that have embraced the use of statistical and
problem solving methodologies (Black Belts) to improve processes, lower costs,
and increase customer satisfaction. MINITAB has been selected as the
statistical software of choice by: General Electric, 3M, Ford, GM,
DaimlerChrysler, Eastman Kodak, American Express, Bambardier, Corning,
Hewlett-Packard, Honeywell International (including the former Allied Signal),
and many more. These companies are using the software for genuine data
analysis - not just teaching.
MINITAB is also the software of choice for most of the leading Six Sigma /
Black Belt consulting firms such as Six Sigma Academy, QualiTech, and
Breakthrough Management Group. The companies are relying on MINITAB to help
solve problems and improve process in order to save money, cut cycle time, and
improve customer satisfaction.
Yes, MINITAB is the preferred software for low and mid-level statistics in
most universities and colleges. SAS, and to some extent S-Plus, is preferred
for high-level courses because of its flexibility.
Clearly you haven't used MINITAB in the last few (10?) years. It might do you
well to download MINITAB 13 from their web site and see for yourself.
Have you been living in a hole??? I think you should know of what you speak
before making such an absurd statement.
"T.S. Lim" wrote:
> In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [EMAIL PROTECTED] says...
> >
> >Check out Minitab Release 13. This is the software used by most of the
> Six
> >Sigma Black Belt companies. It has very strong DOE, SPC, Process
> Capability,
> >and Measurement System Analysis tools. Also, make sure you take a look at
> >their help tools (the manuals, on-line help, real-time tutorials, and
> their
> >new statguide) - it is without a doubt best in class.
>
> I wouldn't put Minitab in the same class as SAS and S-Plus. Minitab
> belongs to a class below that for SAS, S-Plus, SPSS. IMO, Minitab is
> still good only for teaching purposes. Professional data analysts don't
> use Minitab.
>
> >Also, don't underestimate the fact that Minitab Inc. has essentially one
> >product: Minitab. Their support isn't watered down by a myriad of
> modules
> >and other software (such as SPSS and SAS).
> >
> >You can download a full working copy (limited to 30 days of use) at
> >http://www.minitab.com
> >
> >(I don't work for Minitab or have any connection with them except for
> being
> >an extremely satisfied customer)
>
> >Patrick Lee wrote:
> >
> >> Dear fellow newsgroupers;
> >> I am trying to find suitable software for quality control analysis
> that
> >> my manager is about to conduct. I had not used SAS/QC software but have
> >> used S-Plus for graphics and find
> >> that S-Plus is quicker for graphics. I understand that S-Plus has a DOX
> >> module and was
> >> wondering if anyone had experiences, good or bad, with this software. I
> >> was also
> >> wondering if there are any good specialized software for QC or DOX
> >> analysis other than
> >> SAS or S-Plus. Thanks in advance.
> >>
> >> Patrick Lee
>
> --
> T.S. Lim
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> www.Recursive-Partitioning.com
> ______________________________________________________________________
> Get paid to write a review! http://recursive-partitioning.epinions.com
===========================================================================
This list is open to everyone. Occasionally, less thoughtful
people send inappropriate messages. Please DO NOT COMPLAIN TO
THE POSTMASTER about these messages because the postmaster has no
way of controlling them, and excessive complaints will result in
termination of the list.
For information about this list, including information about the
problem of inappropriate messages and information about how to
unsubscribe, please see the web page at
http://jse.stat.ncsu.edu/
===========================================================================
