How ISO Certification, Software, and Equipment Maintenance Management Played a Significant Role in a Successful Program
Remi recently sat down with a customer who is the Quality Control Supervisor with 28 years of experience for a state office of the Department of Transportation (DOT). A main area of responsibility at the DOT is asset management, which includes new equipment purchases, contract management, compliance regulations, and equipment maintenance. You can read our previous success story, where this client shared how the DOT streamlined the purchasing process and saved $100,000.
The focus of today’s post is why this customer made the decision to streamline the department’s equipment maintenance program. It examines how ISO Certification, the introduction of new asset management software, and the need for consistent equipment maintenance management played a role in the successful transition to a more efficient asset management program.
ISO Certification Requires More Tracking
In 2003, this DOT state office transitioned to an ISO certified lab. Now, the office is certified as ISO/IEC 17025, which enables it to demonstrate that they operate competently and produce precise and valid results. This promotes confidence in the department’s work both nationally and around the world and includes all types of laboratories, including the DOT that had 9 labs testing aggregate, asphalt and other transportation materials. The ISO certification is the most preferred certification and most labs hold this accreditation in order to be deemed technically competent.
When the Quality Control Supervisor shared the certification with their team, it was a huge eye opener. The requirements were much more stringent than in the past and they needed a way to track, verify, and maintain equipment in order to maintain their certification. Software proved to be the best way to do just that.