SIGNET Electronic Systems, Inc. recently announced the company’s certification to the ISO 9001:2015 standard, an internationally recognized standard that sets out the requirements for a quality management system (QMS).
SIGNET, which was the subject of the first CI cover profile in January 2011, is one of only a few systems integrators in the country with ISO 9001:2015 certification, “which is based on the idea of continual improvement, and helps businesses and organizations become more efficient and improve client satisfaction,” according to the company press release.[related]
SIGNET initiated the process of being audited against the requirements of the ISO 9001:2015 standard after consistently encountering potential clients in the transportation space that require the certification.
“As business leaders, we are always looking to add value to existing business and spirit new initiatives,” said Greg Sparrow, SIGNET VP of transportation solutions.
“The ISO 9001 really opens up opportunities for us in the transportation industry.”
Sparrow researched the latest release of the standard, ISO 9001:2015, and concluded that it is an ideal quality management model for an integrator.
“With its focus on risk assessment and business development,” said Sparrow, “the 2015 version of the standard fits the forward-thinking culture at SIGNET.”
ISO 9001:2015 requires organizations to continually advance and meet their quality and client-service objectives.
The auditing process was spearheaded by Tom Bowder, a senior project manager in SIGNET’s transportation division. An accredited, third-party certification body performed a rigorous audit to determine that SIGNET’s quality management documentation is in compliance with the standard, and to ensure, on an ongoing basis, that SIGNET’s services and offerings live up to that documentation.
“SIGNET lives up to the standard in our pursuit of continuous improvement on the whole,” said Bowder.
“We are aggressively expanding into new markets, growing our role with current clients, nurturing HR programs to retain the best talent, bringing in consultants to improve efficiency, measuring client satisfaction with surveys and feedback, and applying metrics to monitor, adjust and continually improve performance.”
In addition to meeting the transportation industry requirement, the certification brings added value to all verticals served by SIGNET, including health care, communications, and government entities.
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“SIGNET has been serving our clients well and providing our industry with solutions for 44 years,” said Bowder. “But with the ISO certification, we strive to further improve quality and client satisfaction.”
In addition to new business opportunities and value add for existing clients, the certification process yielded another unexpected benefit.
“The internal audit created and nurtured a culture of involvement,” said Sparrow. “People across the organization from all aspects of the business worked together toward a common goal, and in the process, gained an appreciation for what others do. This cross-pollination was an interesting outcome we had not anticipated.”
The ISO 9001:2015 certification distinguishes SIGNET as a leader in providing best-in-class solutions with the end results measured by a rigorous QMS process.
“It is the integrity and professionalism of our SIGNET team that makes meeting this ISO challenge possible,” said president Bradford S. Caron.
