June 6th, 2017 – Xtera®, a provider of innovative subsea fibre optic solutions, announces today that it has successfully upgraded its ISO 9001 certification to the new ISO 9001:2015. This certification demonstrates Xtera’s ongoing commitment to the highest quality standards and also supports the company’s commitment to safety and environmental compliance, ensuring that the company can address the evolving needs of customers and stakeholders with a high-performance, systematic approach to business process management.
ISO 9001:2015 is the latest iteration of the Quality Management System (QMS) standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the world’s largest developer of voluntary international standards. Xtera received accreditation through the British Standards Institution (BSI), the national standards body of the United Kingdom, following its successful completion of the formal auditing of various QMS elements including design, marketing, manufacturing management, and support for telecom submarine transmission and line termination equipment. The amended ISO 9001:2015 standard supports and enables a more flexible management system framework, promoting a systematic approach to organisational knowledge as well as improved clarity of operational processes and increased employee engagement. Organisations certified to ISO 9001:2008 have until 15 September 2018 to transition to this new standard.
“Xtera’s recent ISO 9001:2015 accreditation gives us a competitive edge within the marketplace, as less than a quarter of previously certified UK organisations have transitioned,” shares Doug Umbers, CEO, 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 organisation as we continue to deliver world class products and services to our customers.”
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 fibre pair. The company offers a full range of turnkey services and solutions, including system design, on-shore and off-shore security, landing route and station development, and operational support.
“Having worked with Xtera for many years, I would like to add my congratulations in relation to this achievement,” comments Russell Johnson, CQP, MCQI, MIET, MCMI, MIEMA. “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.”