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Standardized Operating Procedures and International Organization Standardizations

Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) are goals for any business to ensure consistent, efficient results.  Such practices benefit not only the internal operation of a business but also the customer or consumer since products can be produced creating cost savings and increased quality consistency.   In our existing global marketplace checks and balances were created to maintain consistency and quality across industries and nations.  One such organization probably familiar to most of us is  ISO.   The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is comprised of various international representatives which is non-governmental and develops standards to ensure quality, safety, and efficiency of any product or services being created. 

Starting over 80 years ago and with expanding globalization, an ISO certification verifies that a management system, manufacturing process, service execution, or any documentation meets the requirements outlined for standardization and quality assurance.  Any organization that chooses to compete within an industry should adhere to such standards.  Some of the more recognizable standard references are as follows:

  • ISO 9000 – Quality Management. This is probably the best-known quality management standard for companies of any size and not specific to any one industry.  ISO 9000 can help satisfy customers, meet regulatory requirements and achieve continual improvement.  It is considered the first step of a quality system.
  • ISO/IEC 27001 – Information Security Management. This family of standards provides security of any digital information for any size organization.

  • ISO 4217 – Currency Codes. This standard is the reference to world currencies.

  • ISO 45001 – Occupational Health and Safety.  This reduces workplace risks.

  • ISO 8601 – Date and Time Format.  This is the international representation of dates and times.

  • ISO/IEC 17025 – Testing and Calibration Laboratories.  These are specifications for testing and calibration using standard methods, non-standard methods, and laboratory-developed methods.

  • ISO 3166 – Country Codes.  These are standards referring to countries and their subdivisions. 

So, what does all that mean for an organization in the manufacturing, distribution, or service sector?  Basically, it means that your organization can consistently meet the outlined standard, train and manage the appropriate personnel,  and record and report this information.  As an organization, you can manage multiple currencies, different UOM’s (units of measures), and possibly the use of serialization and lot control for inventory management.   The organization is able to collect information in real-time and produce accurate dependable reporting to validate and verify the accuracy of the requirements outlined by the standard.   

With world resources becoming increasingly blended it might be time to compete on this world stage using the outlined global standards.  Flexibility and quick responsiveness in this ever-changing evolution can be the difference between competing locally and expanding beyond.  If your current processes, procedures, and tools are not working,  it’s time to re-evaluate.  Do you have the right mix of people, machines, hardware and software to join in competing in this connected world economy?  Like it or not, regardless of our personal opinions, the world economy is here to stay and for the most part benefits all of us. You know LBSi as a recognized performer and leader in supplying clients and Helping Businesses Manage for Success and you may be asking why are we talking about ISO and SOP’s. The answer is simple, you need a state-of-the-art ERP system to build and manage ISO and/or SOP’s. We can help you support these initiatives and ongoing checks to review where you are at. Contact us at sales@lbsi.com for more information.

LBSi offers SAP® Business One sales and services.  We sell, install, implement, train and support our customers for this software solution. For over 30 years, our team has helped clients determine and implement solutions to their problems to maximize potential profit and success. We look forward to the opportunity to get to know you.

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