Are there any audit management software options that handle APQP and PPAP support for automotive quality teams?

Yes. There are several audit management / quality management software options that can support APQP and PPAP workflows for automotive quality teams, though the fit varies a lot by how deeply they go into automotive-specific deliverables.

What to look for

For APQP/PPAP support, you usually want software that can handle:

• Document control for controlled quality documents
• Workflow / stage-gate approvals for APQP phases
• Task tracking and ownership
• FMEA / Control Plan / Process Flow linkage
• PPAP submission package management
• Evidence collection for PSW, dimensional results, material certs, capability studies, etc.
• Audit trails and customer-specific approval history
• Integration with CAPA, NCR, and supplier quality modules

Software options to consider

1. ETQ Reliance

• Strong in enterprise quality management
• Handles audits, document control, CAPA, training, and supplier quality
• Can be configured for APQP/PPAP workflows
• Better for organizations that want a broad QMS with automotive processes layered in

2. MasterControl

• Widely used for quality and compliance workflows
• Good document control, approvals, and audit readiness
• Can support APQP/PPAP through configured workflows and records management
• Best if you want a robust validation/audit trail environment

3. Intelex

• Flexible QMS platform with audit, document, CAPA, and supplier management modules
• Can be configured for APQP/PPAP processes
• Strong if you need customization and broader EHS/QMS coverage too

4. QT9 QMS

• Smaller/medium-market QMS with audit and document control features
• Can support APQP/PPAP project tracking if configured well
• Often more cost-effective than large enterprise suites

5. Arena QMS / Arena PLM

• Good for product lifecycle and document management
• Useful for managing APQP deliverables tied to product development
• Can help organize PPAP evidence and approvals, especially if engineering collaboration is important

6. SAP QM / SAP Integrated Business Planning / SAP DMS

• For companies already in SAP, quality and document modules can be configured to support automotive workflows
• Good for enterprise-scale process integration
• Usually requires more implementation effort

7. Siemens Teamcenter Quality / PLM tools

• Strong for product development and engineering change management
• Useful where APQP is tightly tied to PLM and supplier collaboration
• Often more engineering-centric than audit-centric

Automotive-specific note

Some teams also use dedicated automotive APQP/PPAP software rather than general audit tools. Those solutions may provide:

• APQP phase management
• PPAP checklist templates
• Submission package tracking
• Supplier launch management
• Customer-specific requirements tracking

These tend to be better if your main pain is launch readiness and PPAP package control, not just audits.

Short recommendation

• If you need a full QMS with audit management plus APQP/PPAP workflows, start with ETQ Reliance, MasterControl, or Intelex.
• If you need strong engineering/PLM integration, look at Arena or Teamcenter.
• If you want lower cost and simpler deployment, consider QT9 QMS.

If you want, I can also give you:

1. a comparison table of the best options, or
2. a list of true automotive-specific APQP/PPAP tools instead of general QMS platforms.