TL9000 / ISO9000 Certification???

[itsme_timd]

Anyone here familiar with these certifications?

I've got a client that I'm signing a new contract with and they are saying we need to be TL9000 certified. We're a staffing company and that's always fallen on our client's shoulders before.

If anyone can answer a few questions for me I'd appreciate the help.

 

[Soundwave13]

Very familiar with ISO. TL9000 appears to be a communications industry equivelant, which doesn't really make sense for a staffing company. I really think that the Management Rep at your customer doesn't realise that it's vendors are not required to be certified to be in compliance. Maybe it's because their customer is asking for it...

I've seen so many companies let their certs lapse because in the end - it always boils down to price.

If your company or business is doing well - you may well already be compliant, sometimes clients will have a quality management survey to 'bypass' having a certificate. Otherwise - you are looking at thousands to get a piece of paper (not including con$ultation fee$, if you go that route.)

 

[Hendy]

In the industries, these certifications are just another way of saying you have your shit together. I beleive TL is for "production/OEM" providing suppliers. We are a Tier 2 and had to be ISO9001/2000 compliant to be able to do work for Tier 1's. But only "some" require this certification. It's just a badge, that's all. My .02.

 

[ciggy]

In the industries, these certifications are just another way of saying you have your shit together. I beleive TL is for "production/OEM" providing suppliers. We are a Tier 2 and had to be ISO9001/2000 compliant to be able to do work for Tier 1's. But only "some" require this certification. It's just a badge, that's all. My .02.

Ditto!!!! To be ISO Certified you must maintain all company proceedures and pass continued inspections of company mandates.

 

[itsme_timd]

Thanks guys, the TL9000 certification is one that is exclusive to telecom as AJ mentioned, but I think (hope) he's correct that it doesn't really make sense for us to have it - that was my main question.

Since all of our people work under the direct supervision of our clients' managers I believe that would cover our people being certified.

 

[Soundwave13]

TL = telecommunications

I'm a managment rep & lead-auditor for a former QS-9000, current ISO-9001:2008.

Hendy & Ciggy - well put!

 

[Soundwave13]

The confusion often comes in due to a section in the system that encourages certification of all vendors, but as Hendy mentioned, it's usually only required of 1st & 2nd tier suppliers.

 

[itsme_timd]

After speaking with my client and explaining our position a bit more the contract administrator spoke with the quality manager and decided we do not need the TL9000 certification. Whew!

Thanks again for the info, guys!

 

[Soundwave13]

Good news!

I've never heard of a staffing company being required to have certification.