If you are a Software Company that wants to stand out from
the competition, improve your quality management system, and increase customer
satisfaction, you might want to consider getting ISO certification. ISO stands
for International Organization for Standardization, and it is a global body
that develops and publishes standards for various industries and sectors. ISO
certification means that your company meets the requirements of a specific ISO
standard, such as ISO 9001 for quality management or ISO 27001 for information
security. In this blog, we will walk you through the steps involved in
obtaining ISO certification for your Software Company.
ISO certification process for your Software Company
The ISO certification process for software companies
consists of four main phases:
1. Identify your objectives and scope: Before you
start the certification process, you need to have a clear idea of why you want
to get certified, what benefits you expect to gain, and what areas of your
business you want to cover. For example, do you want to improve your software
development process, your customer service, or your data protection? Do you
want to certify your entire organization or just a specific department or
project? Having a clear scope and objectives will help you choose the most
suitable ISO standard and certification body for your needs.
2. Choose an ISO standard and a certification body:
Once you have defined your scope and objectives, you need to select an ISO
standard that matches your industry and goals. For software companies, some of
the most common ISO standards are:
ISO 9001: This is the most widely recognized ISO
standard, and it specifies the requirements for a quality management system. It
helps you ensure that your products and services meet customer expectations and
comply with legal and regulatory requirements. It also helps you improve your
internal processes, reduce errors and waste, and increase efficiency and
productivity.
ISO 27001: This is the standard for information
security management, and it helps you protect your data and systems from
cyberattacks, breaches, and unauthorized access. It also helps you comply with
data protection laws and regulations, such as the General Data Protection
Regulation (GDPR). It also helps you demonstrate to your customers and
stakeholders that you take information security seriously and that you have
implemented appropriate controls and measures.
ISO 20000: This is the standard for IT service
management, and it helps you deliver consistent, reliable, and high-quality IT
services to your customers and users. It also helps you align your IT strategy
with your business objectives, optimize your IT resources and processes, and
improve your customer satisfaction and loyalty.
ISO 22301: This is the standard for business
continuity management, and it helps you prepare for and respond to disruptive
events that could affect your business operations, such as natural disasters,
cyberattacks, or pandemics. It also helps you minimize the impact of such
events on your customers, employees, suppliers, and reputation.
After choosing an ISO standard, you need to select a
certification body that is accredited to audit and certify organizations
against that standard. A certification body is an independent organization that
assesses your compliance with the ISO requirements and issues a certificate if
you meet them. You can find a list of accredited certification bodies on the
official website of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF).
3. Implement the ISO requirements: The next step is
to implement the requirements of the chosen ISO standard in your software
company. This involves developing or updating your policies, procedures,
documents, records, tools, systems, and controls according to the standard's
guidelines. You also need to train your staff on the new or revised processes
and ensure that they understand their roles and responsibilities. You also need
to monitor and measure your performance against the ISO objectives and
indicators, as well as conduct internal audits and management reviews to check
your compliance and identify areas for improvement.
4. Get audited by the certification body: Once you
have implemented the ISO requirements in your software company, you are ready
to get audited by the certification body. The audit process usually consists of
two stages:
Stage 1: This is a preliminary assessment of your
documentation and readiness for the certification. The auditor will review your
policies, procedures, records, and evidence of implementation to verify that
they meet the ISO requirements. The auditor will also identify any gaps or
nonconformities that need to be addressed before the stage 2 audit.
Stage 2: This is a more detailed assessment of your
compliance with the ISO requirements in practice. The auditor will visit your
premises and observe your processes, activities, systems, and controls in
action. The auditor will also interview your staff, customers, suppliers, or
other stakeholders to verify that they follow the documented procedures and
meet the expected outcomes. The auditor will also check if you have corrected
any nonconformities from the stage 1 audit.
If the auditor is satisfied with your compliance, they will
issue a certification report and recommend you for certification. If the
auditor finds any major or minor nonconformities, they will issue a
nonconformity report and require you to take corrective actions within a
specified time frame. You will need to provide evidence of the corrective
actions to the auditor before they can issue the certification report.
5. Receive your certificate and maintain your
certification: After passing the audit, you will receive your ISO
certificate from the certification body. The certificate is valid for three
years, subject to annual surveillance audits to verify your ongoing compliance
with the ISO requirements. You will also need to conduct regular internal
audits and management reviews to monitor and improve your performance and
address any issues or changes that may arise. You will also need to renew your
certification every three years by undergoing a recertification audit, which is
like the stage 2 audit.
Benefits of ISO certification for your Software Company
Getting ISO certification for your software company can be a
challenging but rewarding process that can bring many benefits to your
business, such as:
- Improved market reputation and credibility
- Increased customer satisfaction and loyalty
- Improved quality and consistency of your products and
services
- Reduced errors, defects, and rework
- Increased efficiency and productivity
- Lower costs and risks
- Improved adherence to legal and regulatory standards
- Greater competitive advantage and opportunities for growth
What are the various ISO Standards Relevant to Software
Companies?
ISO offers various standards applicable to software
companies. The most common ones are:
1. ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management System): This
standard focuses on enhancing customer satisfaction and continuous improvement
in all areas of your organization's operations.
2. ISO/IEC 27001:2013 (Information Security Management
System): This standard provides a framework for managing information
security risks and protecting sensitive data.
3. ISO/IEC 20000-1:2018 (Service Management System):
This standard outlines requirements for managing IT services effectively,
ensuring customer satisfaction and continual improvement.
Conclusion:
Obtaining ISO certificate through leading consultant of ISO certification in Delhi for your Software Company is a
significant milestone that demonstrates your commitment to quality, customer
satisfaction, and process improvement. By following the steps outlined in this
blog, you can navigate the certification process effectively. Remember, ISO
certification is not an end goal but a journey towards excellence, and the
benefits it brings will help your company stand out in the competitive software
industry.
