February 28, 2024
In a world where quality is the cornerstone of success, organizations that embrace international standards like ISO 9001 gain a competitive edge. With 85% of certified organizations reporting benefits including improved company perception, they are further solidifying their position as industry leaders.
After undergoing a thorough audit process, idealworks has successfully secured the ISO 9001:2015 certification, a globally recognized standard and benchmark for quality management. The framework within this standard outlines procedures for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continuously improving a quality management system (QMS).
With ISO 9001 compliance, idealworks has implemented efficient processes and provided training to its staff, ensuring the consistent delivery of its robotics ecosystem solutions. In an interview with Peter Mansour, Chief Information Security Officer & Quality Management Specialist at idealworks, he sheds light on the preparations undertaken for the ISO 9001 audit, and more.
Peter, why did idealworks choose to pursue the ISO 9001 certificate?
In essence, our aim was to align with international best practices in quality management, improve our internal processes, and ensure our solution offering’s quality meets our stakeholders’ expectations. This strategic decision not only boosts our credibility and competitiveness but also reaffirms our capacity to meet customer expectations.
Building on our commitment to quality, we achieved the ISO 27001 certification two years ago. This certification not only attests to the high quality of our development but also reflects our dedication, extending across design, production oversight, and support services for our robotic systems (iw.hub), robotic software (iw.os), and our intelligent automation platform, AnyFleet
What does the ISO 9001 certificate imply for idealworks?
The ISO 9001 certification carries substantial significance for us. Beyond focusing on risk management, the standard emphasizes our dedication to quality, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement, while placing a strong emphasis on operational efficiency. Hence, we proactively developed a framework to define what quality means within our organization. ISO 9001 encourages the establishment of streamlined processes and procedures, enhancing market credibility and providing a competitive edge.
How did you prepare for the ISO 9001 audit?
Building on our experiences with ISO 27001, we initiated workshops with our teams to identify operational pain points and vulnerabilities. Following this, we prioritized and implemented policies tailored to the unique needs of our company. A thorough gap analysis then paved the way for targeted improvements and ensuring a seamless transition.
What does 'gap analysis' entail?
A gap analysis is a structured evaluation method that allows us to assess our current processes and practices in comparison to the criteria set by ISO standards. This approach provides valuable insights into idealworks‘ standing, helping us identify any deviations or shortcomings. By doing so, it offers a roadmap for addressing these gaps, ensuring our practices align meticulously with the specific requirements of the standard. Essentially, a gap analysis acts as a diagnostic tool, contributing to the enhancement of our compliance efforts and the continual improvement of our quality management system.
When did idealworks embark on the ISO 9001 journey?
Celebrating a one-year-long journey that began in January 2023, we received the ISO 9001 certification just in time for an early Christmas gift. We are proud to have joined the select group of double ISO-certified small and medium-sized businesses. For us, this achievement goes beyond acquiring another certification. Rather, it is about creating a culture of both quality and information security management across our organization. This accomplishment underscores our proactive approach.
What posed the most significant challenge during this process?
The involvement of a multitude of stakeholders proved to be a substantial challenge. Given that the ISO 9001 standard encompasses the entire company, all our teams, and our comprehensive solution portfolio, tailoring policies to meet the diverse needs of various stakeholders was no small feat.
What's the validity period of the ISO 9001 certificate?
Similar to the ISO 27001 certificate, the ISO 9001 certification comes with a three-year validity and requires regular surveillance audits. Following the initial certification period, a recertification audit becomes necessary for the renewal of our ISO 9001 certification for an additional two years. This process entails a comprehensive evaluation of our quality management system to ensure continuous compliance with the standard. The commitment to maintaining and enhancing our QMS remains an ongoing endeavor.
What key insights have you gained from achieving the ISO 9001 certification?
Our recommendation to companies of a similar size is to prioritize obtaining ISO 9001 first, focusing on streamlining and standardizing processes before delving into security considerations. However, we understand that formal ISO certification might not always be feasible for small companies due to financial, time, and resource constraints. Instead, we advocate embracing the best practices outlined in the standard to gain a deeper understanding of weak points and risks, align objectives to address critical vulnerabilities, and establish a methodology that infuses the entire organization’s understanding of its operations. This approach not only proves beneficial for cross-functional problem-solving but also cultivates a comprehensive awareness of how the company functions.
In the pursuit of excellence, idealworks has not only secured the ISO 9001 certification but has also championed a culture of quality management that extends across every facet of its operations. The takeaway is clear – ISO 9001 is not merely a set of standards; it’s a commitment to perpetual improvement, a dedication to meeting and exceeding customer expectations, and a testament to the resilience of a company in aligning with the best practices of quality management on a global scale.
