8/8/2019 Uspeh Od Iso 9001

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Case Study: Managing rapid growth of a small business with a QMS

www.intertek-sc.com

Introduction

EmeSec Incorporated (EmeSec) is a small, service-disabled veteran owned, woman owned, 8(a) consultingcompany providing professional services in informationassurance and security. The companys efforts allow itsclients to more effectively manage their day-to-dayinformation security practices.

EmeSec has experienced a rapid growth rate of over400% since its incorporation in 2003. In 2007, thecompanys work transitioned to multi-year contracts.Their contract awards range in size from $22,000 to over$7.5 million.

Pursuing ISO 9001 certificationAs the company grew, Maria Horton, CEO and Presidentof EmeSec, realized that its growth would be bestmanaged through quality.

ISO 9001:2000 certification serves as a foundation forcorporate growth, said Ms. Horton. Without acorporate quality process, all of our procedures would betoo wieldy and too difficult to ensure distinction andsuccess.

EmeSec began its pursuit of ISO 9001 certification in late

2007. As a provider of professional services, they quicklyimplemented the ISO 9001 standard within their QualityManagement System (QMS) to serve as both a standardand a measure of activities to be accomplished.

Developing the QMS early, as a rapidly growing serviceorganization, has been helpful in identifying keymanagement indicators [metrics] and in reducing risk asthe company takes on more multi-year and complextasks, said Ms. Horton.

A foundation for successThe EmeSec QMS has served as a foundation forexploring all of the companys processes. EmeSec hasused ISO 9001 to review Human Resources issues,including the recruiting, interviewing, and staffing

process. EmeSec has also used the QMS tenets to focon the proposal response and subcontracting processeresulting in the ability to identify, manage, andaccomplish key deliverables with greater efficiency andeffectiveness. Our staff is now focused on measurabperformance and consistent outcomes, said Ms. Hort

ISO 9001:2000 has also impacted EmeSecs strategytoward revenue growth. The standard helped thecompany to better define their corporate vision, andmanage the QMS so its processes would beproportionate to the companys size. They use the QMin daily operations, and hold valuable monthly meetingto evaluate quality performance. This alone assists ocompany to demonstrate its value to our customers,said the EmeSec CEO. When we discuss quality withour customers, they know that we have the keyelements of risk addressed for us and for them.

Working with IntertekThe initial ISO 9001 certification process requires aregistrar that understands your corporate vision andgoals. Intertek did that, especially in accommodatingour need to have efficient and integrated processes,said Ms. Horton.

EmeSec has opted for a semi-annual surveillanceschedule: Intertek performs an audit every six months ensure their systems ongoing conformity. Ms. Hortoncommented, Its a very good partnership. We actuallook forward to Interteks visits as an aid to our succesThey help us ensure that our processes adapt to our

growth.

To learn more about management systems certificationfrom Intertek, or to begin your project right away, call1-800-967-5352 or e-mail icenter@intertek.com.

At EmeSec, quality is used and given thought -it is not just an add-on paperwork drill tomaintain the certification.- Maria Horton, EmeSec CEO/President