In a first for the SA cellular industry, Vodacom`s entire R6 billion cellular network company has achieved ISO 9000 certification, resulting in enhanced network quality and lower dropped call rates.
"The goal of certification was set in September 1998, after pre-auditing by quality consultants Internex showed that certification would deliver tangible benefits for Vodacom subscribers," said Andrew Mthembu, Managing Director of Vodacom.
Mr Mthembu said that ISO 9000 certification was the first step in Vodacom`s total quality programme.
"Because certified organizations submit to regular quality audits conducted by external ISO 9000 auditors, an ongoing challenge will be to retain Vodacom (Pty) Ltd`s certification. Furthermore, Vodacom will ensure that other Vodacom Group companies attain certification.
"These companies are in various stages of implementing quality management systems, to bring them in line with ISO 9000. "Now that Vodacom (Pty) Ltd - the network company - has achieved certification, the other companies in the Vodacom Group will also be included on a Quality Management Steering Committee which meets monthly to review progress, under the auspices of Dr Fanie Viljoen.
"Dr Viljoen is Group Executive for Technology and was appointed by Vodacom`s CEO Alan Knott-Craig, as Management Quality Representative to comply with the provisions of ISO 9000," said Mr Mthembu.
The ISO standard lists 20 business elements against which companies are measured for quality purposes. The compliance of a company in these 20 areas is recorded and measured against the standards set by the ISO.
A revised ISO 9000 standard - the ISO 9000:2000 standard - is under discussion by the ISO. The revised standard will be more process-orientated and will focus on continuous improvement.
External auditing of Vodacom (Pty) Ltd was undertaken by Horst Lammermeyer of Dekra, representing the International Organization for Standardization.
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