Line Out: Mark of Excellence
Apr 1, 2004 12:00 PM,
By Thomas Noack
One of the most recognized ISO standards is the ISO 5800:1987, more commonly known as the measurement for film speed. This little number on all film packages indicates how to expose a photograph. Before manufacturers adopted ISO to indicate film speed, there were ASA, • DIN, and ANSI numbers: film speed measurements from different countries and different scales, showing the same characteristics of a film product. Manufacturers in the photo industry had to show dual scales of film speed on equipment to accommodate the various standards. With more countries joining the ISO organization, this is slowly becoming a relic of the past.
Because of its acceptance worldwide, consumers, businesses, and manufacturers can buy, sell, and produce products without taking the risk of receiving a product that may not be up to the standards agreed upon. Without an accepted standard, words in contracts become a matter of perception, depending on language, culture, or geographic location. For example, how can one guarantee a product sold in the United States with parts manufactured all over the globe?
In the past, that could present a problem. Today if a company is ISO9001 certified and manufactures under ISO quality standards, one can be assured that the product received or bought was produced under predefined quality standards.
Are there products produced under ISO standards that do not meet the expectations of the buyer? Yes, but not likely.
Errors and product failures are a part of the nature of manufacturing. ISO9001 will, however, catch customer dissatisfaction or faulty procedure, and measures will have to be taken to correct this problem. Companies that operate under the ISO9001 quality system tend to exhibit a philosophy of prevention rather than detection. Frequent reviews of a process, corrective action, and consistent communication within the process among manufacturer, supplier, and customer will assure the level of product quality.
More than 132 national standards bodies have joined the ISO organization, and 15 nations within the European Union are making the ISO9001:2000 registration a basic prerequisite for doing business. Any ISO9001:2000 certified company will be better positioned to do business internationally, especially in countries where the standard has become a requirement for market entry. Even in the United States, more and more companies and government agencies require ISO9001 certification in order to conduct business with them.
The bottom line: any company that operates under ISO9001 has in place a top-notch quality system that focuses on informed and competent management decision making, control of quality costs, increased productivity, reduced waste, and maintaining a satisfied customer base by providing a quality product.
Find more information about ISO9001 at www.iso.ch.
Thomas Noackis the marketing manager for Altinex.
“Line Out” is the forum forSound & Video Contractorreaders to speak out about industry-related topics from trends to business practices to technology. Contact Mark Johnson at (510) 985-3203 or at[email protected]to voice your opinion.
