Registrars with VAR (Value Added Reseller) experience

[BeaBea]

Hello There,

My company is just about ready to schedule an ISO audit and I have several registrars that I am looking into. (Intertek, BSI, DEKRA, and Perry Johnson)
My company does not manufacture products so there is not a design section in our program.

Does anyone have information on where to look for a registrar with VAR type company experience?

 

[Pjservan]

All the registrars that are listed are fairly large and I imagine that they will have experience in your industry. You can complete their application for quote and they will confirm if they do so. More importantly the CB needs to provide with an auditor that is qualified in your industry (qualified doesn't mean they have experience). You can ask to see the resume or bio of the auditors that they have available so you can see their experience and qualifications. Location of the auditor(s) can also play a role as they will charge you for the travel expenses. Get a few quotes- you will find the most are in the same ball park so the service level becomes important- are they responsive to your questions, requests, etc. Hope this helps. There are a few folks in here that can provide you further guidance.

 

[Marc]

What isa "VAR" type company?

 

[Al Rosen]

What isa "VAR" type company?

I think it's Value Added Reseller.

 

[BeaBea]

What isa "VAR" type company?

Hi Marc,

VAR= Value Added Reseller.
We're a small woman owned business that sells IT solutions to the government. In a nutshell; we review government contracts, place an order with HP, Dell..etc., and the products get shipped directly to the customer. We're basically the middle man for large purchase orders of IT products and services.
So my company does not touch any products or manufacture.
Some large government contracts require an ISO certification, so I've been tasked with implementing an entirely new QMS system for the company.

I was looking through several threads about different auditors and what I learned is to find one that has knowledge about our type of company.
So I was looking for maybe some direction or recommendations if anyone knows a specific company that has had experience auditing VAR companies (since our company is a little unique in the ISO world)

 

[Sidney Vianna]

So I was looking for maybe some direction or recommendations if anyone knows a specific company that has had experience auditing VAR companies (since our company is a little unique in the ISO world)

For sure, some CB's must have certified VAR-type organizations, but that does not mean much, because, CB's have many auditors. So, you might find a CB that has certified a similar organization and they assign an auditor who has no idea of the intricacies and nuances of a VAR-type organization.

So, if you are really concerned with "previous experience", you have to interview the actual and/or potential auditors (the individuals, not the CB) to have a feel for them. And, then, hope and pray that the "right person" is not thousands of miles away; because, if they were, you would incur in some serious travel expenses...

 

[BeaBea]

For sure, some CB's must have certified VAR-type organizations, but that does not mean much, because, CB's have many auditors. So, you might find a CB that has certified a similar organization and they assign an auditor who has no idea of the intricacies and nuances of a VAR-type organization.

So, if you are really concerned with "previous experience", you have to interview the actual and/or potential auditors (the individuals, not the CB) to have a feel for them. And, then, hope and pray that the "right person" is not thousands of miles away; because, if they were, you would incur in some serious travel expenses...

yes, that seems to be my struggle so far is location..
I'm pretty confident that we have everything in place. So I'm not too worried about who exactly has "VAR-type"experience, i guess i was just hoping for an easy answer of recommendations on who might be a better fit to look into

I'm learning that these companies are HUGE and not so specific...

 

[Brizilla]

So BeaBea, did you have your audit and if so what are the results?

 

[qualitygal]

Hi Marc,

VAR= Value Added Reseller.
We're a small woman owned business that sells IT solutions to the government. In a nutshell; we review government contracts, place an order with HP, Dell..etc., and the products get shipped directly to the customer. We're basically the middle man for large purchase orders of IT products and services.
So my company does not touch any products or manufacture.
Some large government contracts require an ISO certification, so I've been tasked with implementing an entirely new QMS system for the company.

I was looking through several threads about different auditors and what I learned is to find one that has knowledge about our type of company.
So I was looking for maybe some direction or recommendations if anyone knows a specific company that has had experience auditing VAR companies (since our company is a little unique in the ISO world)

Hi Bea, How did your certification go? Any chance you can share your quality manual? I'm doing a similar type project.