What is ISO?

What is ISO

ISO is an International Organization for Standards that was formed by technical committees. ISO is a set of standards that help companies achieve cost effective and quality assurance methods. They provide user-friendly guidelines for a wide range of organizations

 

What is ISO 9000?

ISO 9000 is a set of five International Standards for Quality Assurance.

· ISO 9000 contains guidelines for the other four standards.

· ISO 9001 is intended for suppliers who do a lot of design or customization.

· ISO 9002 involves standards for both production and installation.

· ISO 9003 is guidelines for final test and inspection.

· ISO 9004 is designed to help managers develop a substantial quality system

 

 

Some disadvantages of ISO 9000 are as follows:-

Many companies are ISO 9000, but there are some companies that choose not to be certified. As previously stated, ISO 9000 is a stead of guidelines. These guidelines are implemented intocompanies operations. However, there are reasons why companies would not be ISO.

·          The actual change of operations can be very expensive. Usually designated people have to

·        take classes and be trained as the company’s liaison for ISO 9000. These people, as part of

·        their full time jobs, train fellow employees how to implement and use ISO 9000 procedures.

·        As is well known in business and industry, it is difficult to change the habits of longtime

·        employees. New procedures are rarely welcomed with open arms. In fact, new ways are

·        usually resisted by everyone. This resistance cuts into profits and also decreases company

·        morale.· There are times when companies feel that the existing set of operational procedures is

·        already working well and they do not feel a change is necessary. Frequently, companies will

·        have a customer who demands that they be ISO 9000 certified to continue doing business.

·        Now the company has the choice of losing a customer or implementing ISO 9000. Either

·        way money is lost in the short term.

·        Even though there may be an initial implementing cost, ISO 9000 has been proven to reduce cost

·        and improve the total quality in the long run. The implementation of ISO 9000 benefits far out

·        weigh any disadvantages.

Some advantages to having ISO certification

· Ensure that products and services provided meet customer requirements.

· Ensure consistency in the day to day operations.

· Ensure that processes are repeatable and predictable.

· Allow the company to create and retain satisfied customers

· Improve the efficiency, reduce operating cost and minimize unproductive time.