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Streamline multiple systems into a single platform for greater efficiency, co-ordination and consistency with an Integrated Management System.
Manage multiple ISOs from one smart system
An integrated management system (IMS) means taking back control of your business operations without fuss. If you want to gain certification for a specific ISO Standard, then you’ll need an audit.
But, the beauty of an IMS enables you to combine ISOs under one audit certification, so that they simultaneously cover all Standard-specific requirements. For example, instead of holding audits for each Standard, you will only need to hold one.
Integration is now seamless thanks to the Annex SL high-level structure. Annex SL-based Standards share a similar structure of 10 clauses, which makes it much easier to see the similarities and shared processes of each Standard.
What is an Integrated Management System?
An Integrated Management System merges your ISO management processes into one convenient system, reducing hassle, cutting waste and refining compliance. It combines all aspects of an organisation’s systems, processes and practices into one smart system.
Integrating your management systems offers the following benefits:
- Achieve best practice for quality, environmental impact, occupational Health and Safety and Information Security
- Streamline your business operations to save time, money and resources
- Reduce clunky processes and maximise efficiency
Integrated Management System benefits
Management systems with common points, tasks and processes can be combined and managed as one for streamlined efficiency. But what boost can this give your business?
High performance
Push your business with improved management processes. Streamlined procedures and continual improvement can help to push your business with better quality, improved health and safety, and increased productivity.
Streamlined management
Take advantage of aligned objectives and processes and tackle them at the same time for streamlined efficiency.
Faster implementation
With just one system, you can develop and implement new management systems in far less time, allowing you to start reaping the rewards of greater efficiency more quickly.
Co-operation and coordination
Coordinate your efforts towards continual improvement and use your multiple Standards to support your company’s growth.
Cost-effective solution
Shared tasks and processes mean the cost of implementing and maintaining your system could have a positive effect on your costs. By conducting just one audit and one management review, you can save both time and money.
Consistency
Integrating your systems strips away complexity. With aligned systems and shared processes, you can make your procedures more logical and coherent. It will make common business goals stand out and give your business clearer, more defined objectives for success.
Manage your Integrated Management System with Atlas
At Citation ISO Certification, all Integrated Management Systems will be controlled and managed via our convenient digital platform, Atlas ISO. Atlas ISO is a secure cloud-based platform that equips you with all the tools you need to maintain your ISO compliance. Manage documents, processes, tasks and projects together in one accessible place 24/7 and benefit from:
- Built-in document controls
- Digital templates
- Automated task management
Will an IMS suit my business?
An integrated system can be a perfect fit for many businesses wanting greater efficiency. But some may prefer to keep their ISO management separate.
Before you go ahead, it’s worth bearing the following in mind:
Structure
If individual Standards are currently handled by different managers, you may need to reorganise them so that they work together more closely. You may even prefer to put one person in charge of the whole integrated platform.
Aligned structure
If an auditor flags up areas for improvement (non-conformances) for just one Standard, this will affect the whole of your IMS. Alignment across all Standards is key.
Audits
In order to assess the compliance and relevance of your system, an external audit may require more preparation and time.
Implementation
To implement good business practices across several areas, consider your staffing and resource levels.
Responsibility
Depending on your business’ structure, you may discover some clashes between the responsibility of a quality management system and an environmental system.
Documentation
To ensure that every aspect of your integrated system is mapped out and maintained, the documentation to support it can become more detailed and intricate.
Which ISOs can be combined into an IMS?
A common framework, known as the Annex SL, means that several ISOs now share their 10 clauses with other Standards that fall into this group. As a result, they work well together in an integrated management system and changes and improvements are easier to adopt and understand throughout your business.
Our ISO options combine popularity with flexibility to give businesses a streamlined route to multiple ISOs. Simply choose the best fit for your business and your business goals.
The graphic below illustrates how your IMS could look when integrating multiple Standards.
ISO 9001
Quality Management
- World's most widely recognised quality management standard
- Demonstrates your commitment to quality and helps win tenders
- Processes to address efficiency and reduce costs
ISO 14001
Environmental Management
- Provides framework to setup Environmental Management System
- Manage your resources more effectively
- Focus on reducing waste, improving resource efficiency and reducing costs
ISO 9001
Quality Management
- World's most widely recognised quality management standard
- Demonstrates your commitment to quality and helps win tenders
- Processes to address efficiency and reduce costs
ISO 45001
Occupational Health & Safety
- Helps organisations consistently manage Health and Safety Risks
- Reduces likelihood of accidents, breaches in legislation and improves your organisation's overall performance
ISO 9001
Quality Management
- World's most widely recognised quality management standard
- Demonstrates your commitment to quality and helps win tenders
- Processes to address efficiency and reduce costs
ISO 27001
Information Security Management
- Protects corporate information and data being accessed, corrupted, lost or stolen without revealing your security processes
- Defines ISMS roles and responsibilities to help you ensure individuals
ISO 9001
Quality Management
- World's most widely recognised quality management standard
- Demonstrates your commitment to quality and helps win tenders
- Processes to address efficiency and reduce costs
ISO 14001
Environmental Management
- Provides framework to setup Environmental Management System
- Manage your resources more effectively
- Focus on reducing waste, improving resource efficiency and reducing costs
ISO 45001
Occupational Health & Safety
- Helps organisations consistently manage Health and Safety Risks
- Reduces likelihood of accidents, breaches in legislation and improves your organisation's overall performance
Ready to get the benefits of an Integrated Management Sytem?
With an Integrated Management System, your processes will work together so that each function is aligned and can contribute to one shared goal: improving your overall performance.
Thanks to one set of documentation, policies, procedures and processes for all Standards, you can also reduce risks and increase profitability.
Find out how much an Integrated Management System would cost your business by using our fee calculator.
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Integrated Management Systems FAQS
Can an Integrated Management System improve operational efficiency across my business?
Absolutely! An IMS can simplify and align processes across your business to drive consistency that contributes to continuous improvement and better efficiency. Your IMS will help to identify issues early across multiple areas to reduce errors and streamline your workflow.
Does the integration of ISO systems benefit businesses across different sectors?
The integration of ISOs provides your business with the platform to focus on eradicating non-conformances in a variety of different areas. Regardless of the industry your business is in, being able to demonstrate resilience across your organisation is beneficial to control risk and increase growth. Through increased customer satisfaction, gain that all-important competitive edge in the market and be the envy of your competitors.
Can all ISO Standards be combined in an Integrated Management System?
The main ISOs that are integrated by businesses include ISO 9001 for enhanced quality, ISO 14001 for environmental management, ISO 27001 to enhance information security management and ISO 45001 to improve occupational Health & Safety. You can also integrate Standards like ISO 50001 for energy management. The key thing to consider is that the combination you choose should be tailored to meet the requirements of your business. A focused ISO integration that aligns with the overall strategy and objectives of your business adds more value.
Is my business more likely to meet compliance requirements with an IMS?
Combining ISOs gives businesses like yours a platform to address and strengthen multiple areas that will help your business adhere to a wider range of industry regulations. An IMS provides the robust framework needed to help your business navigate compliance with ease.
Are there any specific steps to ensure my IMS runs smoothly?
Implementing an IMS may seem a little daunting, particularly if you haven’t had any prior experience. But, we can help you with all the fine details and make sure that you have all bases covered. We recommend that you:
Assess your business needs to identify the right ISOs to integrate
Conduct a gap analysis for your chosen ISO
Develop a detailed plan with assigned roles and responsibilities
Ensure you have buy-in across your senior management team
Can integrated management systems help enhance continuous growth?
We can help you develop an IMS that is the platform for continual improvement. Develop a structured approach working with our team of ISO experts who will evaluate the effectiveness of your IMS to ensure that you drive consistency, efficiency and productivity across all of your key business operations.
As customer expectations and markets evolve, so too does our approach. Any corrective actions that you need to take to strengthen your IMS, we’ll be able to identify and communicate to you the necessary steps to take - thanks to the guidance of our consultants.
Are there long-lasting benefits for my business too once I have an IMS in place?
Of course, with the implementation of an IMS comes lots of benefits that will serve you well immediately, but also in the long-term too. Efficient business processes, better regulatory compliance and reduced risks are all long-term benefits that solidify your business and provide the best foundations for it to flourish.