Alamo Learning Systems Presentation

Background

On November 1, 2001, AeA announced a new partnership with Alamo Learning Systems, an organization specializing in high-tech ISO 9000 consulting and training.

For more than 25 years, San Ramon, CA based Alamo Learning Systems has been improving the business processes of companies in a broad range of industries. The management consulting and training firm offers a wide variety of ISO 9000 quality-based consulting services and a comprehensive series of highly-rated instructor-led and eLearning training programs. Alamo is known for its client-centered focus and its ability to adapt to each customer's unique business environment.

The partnership will provide AeA’s 3,500+ high-tech members use of Alamo’s services at a 10% discount, whether they are going for ISO registration for the first time or are preparing to migrate to the new ISO 9001:2000 standard.

Presentation

Lance Hale, Vice President of Alamo Learning Systems (ALS), presented a broad overview of the partnership with AeA and provided insight for the Task Force members on how their services would be beneficial to AeA’s small businesses.

Alamo Learning Systems has an ISO registration plan called the "Alamo Fast Track Program." The Fast Track Program is designed to take companies through the registration process as quickly as possible. With a client list that includes high tech heavyweights such as Hewlett-Packard, Cisco, and Xerox, Alamo has established a program that is capable of reaching ISO registration in as little as six months.

The family of quality improvement programs as well as consulting services that Alamo offers include the following:

• ISO 9001:1994 and ISO 9001:2000 (General Quality Management Systems)
• QS-9000 (Domestic Automotive QMS parts suppliers)
• TE-9000 (Domestic Automotive QMS tooling and equipment suppliers)
• ISO/TS 16949 (International Automotive QMS)
• ISO 1400 (Environmental Management System)
• AS9000 and AS9100 (Domestic and International Aerospace)
• TL 9000 (Telecommunications)
• ISO 1385 (Medical Devices)

Lance Hale described some of the benefits a company enjoys from being ISO registered. Based upon surveys, these benefits include: better productivity, increased market opportunities, cost savings, improved staff responsibility, commitment and motivation, and stronger reputation in the eyes of stakeholders.

Aside from the direct benefits of being ISO registered, there are numerous motivations for going through the process. Increasingly, especially for manufacturers, ISO registration is a necessity for doing business. Without the ISO registration, business opportunities can be limited, or worse, lost. For example, the federal government has moved in the direction of requiring that contractors must be able to prove ISO registration as a prerequisite for doing work for the government. Moreover, in the international arena, ISO registration is a must if you want to conduct business overseas. In today’s global high-tech environment, ISO certification and registration has become an industry standard – one that every organization uses to ensure that products and services meet specific customer requirements.

While Alamo has experience working with large multi-national corporations, Mr. Hale stated they also have a noteworthy track record of working with small business. Alamo has even worked with companies with as few as five employees. No matter the size of the business, the underlying issues for ISO registration and certification remain the same.

As a result of the presentation, it appears that for a small business, with limited staff support or experience with the ISO registration process, the services that Alamo provide should prove to be a wise investment.

Towards the end of the Alamo presentation, a couple of questions were asked of Lance Hale. First asked was a question regarding whether Alamo also serves as a ISO register in addition to their ISO consulting. Mr. Hale responded that Alamo chooses not to serve as a register of ISO certification on the grounds that its consulting business would present a conflict of interest.

A second question was asked about Alamo’s experience with telecommunications ISO certification. Alamo offers a program to bring program to bring telecommunication firms in accordance with TL 9000 requirements. Mr. Hale stated that the ISO 9000 program serves as the basis for the TL 9000 program, but includes additional requirements specifically relating to the telecommunication industry.

"Capital Insight"

Background

Starting in January 2002, Matt Page will be a new small business initiative. This initiative, to be known as Capital Insight will entail semi-monthly interviews with key officials within the Administration and Capitol Hill. The purpose of this endeavor is to two-fold – First, provide insightful information to AeA’s small business members regarding important issues emanating from "inside the beltway." And second, make sure that the same key officials understand AeA’s small business agenda.

The first candidate to participate in the Capital Insight interview series will be Tom Sullivan, Chief Counsel for the SBA Office of Advocacy.

Members of the Task Force were asked to provide insight on both the types of questions they would like to see asked as well as the actual individuals they would prefer to see interviewed. It is foreseen that feedback from the Task Force will be provided over the next month.