Many service providers are now in the process of upgrading to ISO 9001:2015 certification, which is the latest iteration of the International Organization for Standardization’s Quality Management System (QMS). Achieving ISO 9001:2015 certification demonstrates a company’s ongoing commitment to safety and environmental compliance, as well as its ability to address the evolving needs of its customers and stakeholders.

One company that recently achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification is subsea fiber optic solutions provider Xtera, which obtained accreditation through the British Standards Institution (BSI), the national standards body of the UK. Established in 1998 and based in the UK and the U.S., Xtera offers un-repeatered and repeatered subsea connectivity, using the highest bandwidth undersea amplifiers for up to 40 terabits on a single fiber pair.

Xtera was granted accreditation after successfully completing the formal auditing of various QMS elements including marketing, design, management, manufacturing and support for telecom submarine transmission and line termination hardware. Xtera offers a full range of turnkey solutions and services including on-shore and off-shore security, system design, landing route and station development and operational support.

The amended ISO 9001:2015 standard supports a more flexible management system framework, promoting a systematic approach to organizational knowledge, improved clarity of operational processes and increased employee engagement.

“Xtera’s recent ISO 9001:2015 accreditation gives us a competitive edge within the marketplace, as less than a quarter of previously certified UK organizations have transitioned,” stated Doug Umbers, CEO of Xtera. “This early adoption is also a clear indication of our relentless commitment to working more closely with partners, suppliers and interested parties to deliver superior network solutions. Given the amendments to this standard, it was necessary that we could demonstrate a deep understanding of Xtera’s marketplace, addressing external factors affecting the business, and be able to reflect this in how we are now set up internally.  We’re very excited about how this helps underpin the future of our organization as we continue to deliver world class products and services to our customers.”

Russell Johnson, CQP, MCQI, MIET, MCMI, MIEMA, also commented on the announcement.

“Having worked with Xtera for many years, I would like to add my congratulations in relation to this achievement,” Johnson explained. “The demonstration of leadership and commitment, combined with the quality of the Xtera team lead by Paul Farrugia, has meant that the implementation of enhanced requirements in ISO 9001:2015 within the Xtera business environment has been first class. The transition to the new version of this international quality standard has even further improved the effectiveness of Xtera’s processes and quality controls. I look forward to working with such a professional organization in the future.”

To learn more about Xtera, click here.