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.
