IMS-Audit
Guide · Checklist

Choosing audit software: 12 questions to ask before you buy

You should put these questions to every provider – and get the answers in writing. The list is neutrally worded; how IMS-Audit Cloud answers each one is shown alongside for comparison.

Ask your questions in an appointment

  1. Why it matters: Isolated “checklist-only” tools create media breaks between actions and evidence.

    IMS-Audit Cloud: Yes: audit programme, execution on a tablet, actions / CAPA with escalation, PDF reports, management review – all in one system.

  2. Why it matters: With modular pricing, the total is only known after the requirements analysis.

    IMS-Audit Cloud: All modules included in every plan – you only pay per user.

  3. Why it matters: Data protection, works council and IT security ask this first.

    IMS-Audit Cloud: 100 % in Germany on our own dedicated server (Hetzner data centre), a separate database per company, TLS encryption.

  4. Why it matters: Without a DPA, a processor may not process personal data.

    IMS-Audit Cloud: Yes, one is concluded – on request in advance for review.

  5. Why it matters: Audit evidence spanning years must not depend on a single hard drive.

    IMS-Audit Cloud: Daily automatic backup to separate, geographically separated storage; restoration from the latest backup in the event of a failure.

  6. Why it matters: Data sovereignty: switching providers must remain possible.

    IMS-Audit Cloud: Excel/CSV export yourself at any time; after the contract ends, 30 days’ retention, on request a full PostgreSQL backup.

  7. Why it matters: Long commitment plus set-up costs make switching expensive.

    IMS-Audit Cloud: 12 months’ minimum term, three months’ notice to the end of the term in text form; no set-up fee. Contracts and terms are concluded in German.

  8. Why it matters: Catalogues are a separate item almost everywhere; you should be able to create your own freely.

    IMS-Audit Cloud: Catalogues for ISO 9001, IATF 16949, ISO 14001, 45001, 13485, 27001, DIN EN 9100 and many more – sold separately; create your own catalogues at any time free of charge or import them via Excel.

  9. Why it matters: Actions at the supplier should be handled where they arise.

    IMS-Audit Cloud: Restricted logins in IMS-Audit Cloud = additional, restricted logins for external participants – 5 to 80 included per plan.

  10. Why it matters: International suppliers and sites otherwise fail on language.

    IMS-Audit Cloud: Interface in 7 languages; audit answers are translated automatically into the display language (DeepL integration, your own API key), the original is retained.

  11. Why it matters: IT policies increasingly require 2FA and a clean permissions concept.

    IMS-Audit Cloud: Predefined roles or granular permissions per person; optional two-factor authentication (Microsoft Authenticator, Google Authenticator or any TOTP app) that can be made mandatory.

  12. Why it matters: Support packages are a classic additional item.

    IMS-Audit Cloud: User support Mon–Fri 9 am–5 pm included in the cloud price; you talk directly to the manufacturer.

Read on: What does audit software cost? · Security & hosting in detail · FAQ

Ask us all twelve questions.

In a personal appointment we answer them directly on the system – no sales team in between, straight from the developer.

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