Minitab is a statistical analysis software developed in 1972 that automates calculations and graph creation, primarily aimed at six sigma professionals for quality management. The software has evolved with features like measurement systems analysis and various regression options, and is distributed by Minitab, LLC, which also offers training and support resources. Licensing options include both single-user and annual network licenses, with specific pricing for academic users.

1. Minitab
BY
Dr. Jitendra Patel
Associate Professor
AIPS, Hyderabad, India.

2. Introduction
• Minitab is a statistics package developed at
the Pennsylvania State University by
researchers Barbara F. Ryan, Thomas A. Ryan, Jr.,
and Brian L. Joiner in 1972.
• It began as a light version of OMNITAB 80, a
statistical analysis program by NIST.
• Statistical analysis software such as Minitab
automates calculations and the creation of
graphs, allowing the user to focus more on the
analysis of data and the interpretation of results.
• It is compatible with other Minitab, LLC software.

3. • Minitab is not for all types of users. It is specially designed
for the six sigma professionals.
• Six Sigma professionals are one of the most important
factors for the business.
• They use Minitab to analyse the data, and on the basis of
their analyzation, they improve the business process.
• The six sigma is all about quality management techniques.
• They do a lot of analysis to eliminate the defects in the
products or services.
• Minitab was developed by Barbara F. Ryan, Thomas A.
Ryan, Jr., and Brian L. Joiner in 1972 at the Pennsylvania
State University.
• They were the researcher at that university.
• Minitab help has automated the calculation and the
process of graph creation.
• Moreover, It allows the users to put more focus on data
analysis and results in interpretation.

4. History
• Minitab is a statistics package developed in 1972.
• Minitab began as a light version of OMNITAB 80, a statistical
analysis program by NIST, which was conceived by Joseph
Hilsenrath in years 1962-1964 as OMNITAB program for IBM
7090.
• The documentation for OMNITAB 80 was last published 1986,
and there has been no significant development since then.
• Minitab is distributed by Minitab, LLC, a privately owned
company headquartered in State College, Pennsylvania.
• In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Minitab LLC
requested and received between $5 million and $10 million
under the Paycheck Protection Program to avoid having to let
go 250 employees.
• As of 2021, Minitab LLC had subsidiaries in the UK, France,
Germany, Hong Kong, and Australia

5. Interoperability
• LLC also produces other software that can be
used in conjunction with Minitab;
• Minitab Connect helps businesses centralize and
organize their data,
• Quality Trainer is an eLearning package that
teaches statistical concepts,
• Minitab Workspace provides project planning
and visualization tools, and
• Minitab Engage is a tool for Idea and Innovation
Management, as well as managing Six
Sigma and Lean manufacturing deployments.
• In October 2020, Minitab launched the first
cloud-based version of its statistical software

6. Features of Minitab
• Measurement systems analysis
• Contour and rotating 3D plots
• Analysis of Variance
• Linear and nonlinear regression
• Binary, ordinal and nominal logistic regression
• Measurement Systems Analysis
• Exact failure, right-, left-, and interval- censored
data
• Random number generator
• Extensive preferences and user profiles
• Chi-square, Fisher’s accurate, and other tests

7. Minitab Cost
• Minitab has two types of licenses, the first one is the
annual network license, and the other one is a single
license.
• You can purchase the Minitab, or you can upgrade it to
the latest version by paying some money to Minitab.
• For academic users, the Minitab cost you around
$29.99 for 6-month rent and $49.99 for 12-month
rent.
• For a multi-user network, you need to get in touch with
them.
• And for the single-user license, you need to spend
$2348 one time.
• Or if you upgrade you Minitab version to the latest
one, then you need to pay $1432.

8. Minitab Learning
• Like MS Excel, Minitab is also offering training support
for the users.
• But if I talk about the ease of learning, then it is not as
easy as MS Excel.
• It is popular among the Six Sigma professionals.
• It means that if you want to perform specific tasks in
Minitab, then you need to have prior training.
• Minitab is officially offering many courses to the users,
and these courses are divided into 2 Categories i.e.,
Manufacturing and the Services.
• You can also get onsite training and public training
from the Minitab.
• Apart from that, it is also offering the E-learning to its
users.

9. Minitab Support
• Minitab beats MS Excel at this point of
comparison.
• It is offering outstanding support to the users.
• It is offering a variety of online support to the
users.
• You can get the data set, the documentation,
downloads the additional tools for Minitab,
videos, webinars, FAQs of installations, blog,
software updates, licensing, and activation.

10. Minitab jobs
• Senior Specialist
• Sales Management Advisor
• Quality Manager
• Pharma Quality Associate
• Project Development Engineer
• Sales Management Advisor
• Program Manager
• Data Analyst
• Design Engineer
• Process Improvement Manager

11. Conclusion
• Minitab is use in educational, small, medium,
and even large enterprises.
• It is offering lots of features.
• Minitab is also offering diverse job
opportunities, but you need to have excellent
command over Minitab.
• Now it’s up to you what you are going to learn
between Excel vs Minitab.