Conducting source inspection without being physically present has become more viable with recent technological advances. A virtual inspection provides oversight without prohibitive logistics for suppliers in remote regions or with high travel costs.
Drones, live video feeds, and sensors enable customers to observe operations and visually inspect samples from afar. For products like software or digital services, remote verification may fully suffice without onsite checks.
However, the virtual inspection does have limitations. The lack of physical access reduces control over the inspection process. Images or footage can be carefully selected or edited by the supplier to avoid showing flaws.
Sensory factors like textures, smells, or sounds cannot be evaluated remotely. There is a higher reliance on the supplier’s integrity and the customer’s ability to ask detailed follow-up questions in real-time.
Successful remote inspection requires very clear expectations and criteria to compensate for the lack of physical presence. Checklists, data submission requirements, and usage of digital inspection tools need to be spelled out.
Rules for camera angles, lighting, and unfiltered content should be established to maximize transparency. Both parties must commit to an audit trail of videos, photos, documents, and other digitized information.
When implemented diligently with the correct prerequisites, virtual source inspection offers flexibility beyond physical site visits. But it is not a wholesale replacement for on-location checks, particularly for high-risk suppliers or complex products still needing hands-on verification. The optimal approach combines in-person and remote techniques tailored to the supplier’s situation and relationship.