Northgate-is - News Item 800

Triple Whammy for Northgate - Newtownabbey-based company hits the mark with BSI quality certifications.

News Release: 22 July 2008

Triple Whammy for Northgate
- Managed Services division becomes one of a select number of ICT companies to hit the mark with BSI quality certifications.

Newtownabbey-based Northgate Information Solutions is leading the field in terms of IT service provision after being awarded three separate quality certifications within a four week period.

Since the beginning of June, Northgate has achieved:
• ISO/IEC 20000-1:2005 for the quality of IT service delivery and support for it’s utilities and education customers ensuring that its managed services are underpinned by IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) and ISO 20000 best practice frameworks for both private and public sector customers. 

• ISO 9001-2000 for its software development and support services.  The implementation of a revised best practice Software Development Quality Management System (SDQMS) will govern all aspects of the software development lifecycle, delivering shortened lead-times, improved quality of code and ultimately reduced costs to customers.

• ISO 27001:2005 for Information Security Systems in relation to their Data Centre operations.  High levels of information security management, data security and access controls as well as stringent operating policies and procedures will assure customers of the highest levels of integrity and confidentiality around the management of their data and sensitive information.

“This is a tremendous accolade for both the company and our workforce, and it is also good news for our customers,” said Ed Brown, Managing Director of Northgate’s Utilities division.

“These certifications are independent, third-party endorsements of the level and standard of service we provide and they are a fitting tribute to our people and our procedures. Each also reflects the emphasis we place on our customer, as they are focused on delivering genuine, valuable benefits across our client base.”

Each of the three certifications was achieved within a challenging timeframe and result from a very clear quality management commitment within Northgate.

“Continuous improvement is key to progress within our organisation,” Ed added, “and already we’ve identified and are progressing further enhancements to the new processes, all geared towards superior service delivery to the customer.”

Ends

For further information contact Claire Bonner, Morrow Communications
Tel: 028 9039 3837 

Notes to Editor:

Northern Ireland-based Northgate Managed Services, which is a division of Northgate Information Solutions (Northgate IS: www.northgate-is.com), is headquartered in Newtownabbey and has additional offices in Dungannon, Ballymena, Omagh and Derry.

Northgate Managed Services is a leading supplier of specialist ICT and managed services, to the public sector, education, utilities, and private sectors. Its areas of expertise include: 

• Education – enabling transformation in learning and teaching. Today thousands of learners and teachers in hundreds of schools and colleges throughout the UK are benefiting from the services and support that Northgate provides to education.
• Utilities – enabling customer service excellence and improved efficiency. Northgate’s outsourced customer services include Billing & Revenue collection services, while IT services include managed desktop services, application and hosting services, infrastructure management, business continuity and disaster recovery.
• Infrastructure Solutions – supplying a range of specialist ICT services and solutions focussing on harnessing technology to improve business outcomes.  This includes mobility and access services and solutions, storage and protection of information, and providing effective services and solutions to reduce carbon footprint, waste and energy costs.

Employing 500 staff throughout Northern Ireland, Northgate Managed Services works with a wide range of public and private sector organisations including C2k, Viridian, Waterways Ireland, DVTA NI, SHS Group, and the Department of Finance & Personnel.

Northgate Information Solutions is a market leader in providing specialist software, outsourcing and information technology (IT) services to the human resources, local government, education and public safety markets.

The Northgate Group is owned by private equity company Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) and currently employs over 6,500 staff and operates in 46 countries across 5 continents.

Northgate has approximately 4,500 large/medium customers and approximately 10,500 small to medium enterprise (SME) customers world wide. Northgate works closely with over 20% of the Fortune 500 leading US companies, 90% of the UK local authorities and all of the UK’s police forces.