BWI: International SOS Secures Global Recognition for Quality

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: International SOS
Monday, July 08, 2013 10:19 AM IST (04:49 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Arts & culture, Consumer interest, Economy, People, Travel & tourism; Business: Accounting & management consultancy services, Advertising, PR & marketing, Banking & financial services, Business services, Defence & security, Healthcare, biotechnology & pharmaceutical, Hospitality, Information technology, Major diversified industrial groups, Telecommunications, Travel & tourism; Technology
--------------------------------------------------
International SOS Secures Global Recognition for Quality


New Delhi, Delhi, India, Monday, July 08, 2013 -- (Business Wire India) -- International SOS is proud to announce that all of its 27 assistance centres are now fully certified by a leading global auditor of quality management systems.

Global ISO 9001:2008 certification recognises high quality, consistent and comprehensive service delivery across the group's entire assistance network. It requires businesses to demonstrate the highest standards of organisation and operations and is recognised and respected worldwide.

International SOS now has the world's largest ISO certified network of medical and security assistance centres. The group helps organisations protect their people across the globe, from more than 700 locations in 76 countries. Last year its assistance centres handled 4.52m calls.

International SOS has maintained a robust internal quality management programme for many years, covering all areas of the operational delivery structure.

To complement this, in 2010 the group began working with the Swiss Association for Quality and Management Systems (SQS), to develop an external certification programme (based on independent and international standards) to validate the company's internal quality management system.

SQS was selected because of its specialist auditors with medical expertise. The relationship had the support and encouragement from our clients, who increasingly seek this level of quality assurance.

In addition to the internal auditing of all Assistance Centre operations, clients now have the additional reassurance that we also have an external audit programme assessing the following areas:

-- Assistance Centre Operations

-- Medical Assistance and Transportation

-- Government service delivery operations

-- Travel Security Services

-- Flight Desk

-- Medfit, Healthcare Management Service

-- Global Assistance Network

-- Aspire Lifestyles Service (Concierge)

-- Human Resources

-- Information Technology

-- Finances

-- Sales and Marketing

David Johnson, Group Director, Operations at International SOS said:

"International SOS is delighted to have secured this hugely respected certification. This recognises that our worldwide operations are extremely well placed to serve our customers' needs.

We see this as a key step in our development of a group-wide, comprehensive and total quality management programme across our assistance operations."

Mr. René Wasmer, Member of the SQS Executive Board said:

"SQS certified companies have demonstrated they have superior quality management processes in place, meet regulatory requirements and are continually working to ensure customer satisfaction.

The certification illustrates the company's continued dedication to ensure its healthcare services meet the highest standards globally."

About International SOS (www.internationalsos.com)

International SOS is the world's leading medical and travel security services Company. We care for clients across the globe, from more than 700 locations in 76 countries.

Our expertise is unique: More than 10,000 employees are led by 1,200 physicians and 200 security specialists. Teams work night and day to protect our members.

We have pioneered a range of preventative programmes and offer an unparalleled response to emergencies. We are passionate about helping clients put 'Duty of Care' into practice. With us multinational corporate clients, governments and NGOs can mitigate risks for their people working remotely or overseas.

About ISO 9001:2008 and SQS

ISO 9001:2008 sets out the criteria for a quality management system. It can be used by any organisation, large or small, regardless of its field of activity. ISO 9001:2008 is implemented by over one million companies and organisations in over 170 countries.

SQS is a member of the International Quality Network. It operates in over 31 countries and is an independent not for profit organisation.


CONTACT DETAILS
Arati Bhat, Marketing Communications Manager, International SOS, +91 9833787755, arati.bhat@internationalsos.com

KEYWORDS
ARTS, CONSUMER, ECONOMY, PEOPLE, TOURISM, CONSULTANCY SERVICES, MARKETING, BANKING, BUSINESS SERVICES, DEFENCE, HEALTHCARE, HOSPITALITY, GROUPS, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, TRAVEL, TECHNOLOGY

If you wish to change your Business Wire India selection please click on this link http://www.businesswireindia.com/media/news.asp and use your personal username and password to login.

Submit your press release at http://www.businesswireindia.com