Building for excellence: Annertech’s journey to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification
As well as being the founder and managing director of Annertech, Stella is one of the best known Drupal contributors in the world.
At Annertech, we’ve always been committed to delivering high-quality digital solutions and operating as a responsible, forward-thinking agency. As we continue to grow and take on increasingly complex international projects, we’ve decided to formalise that commitment.
We are incredibly excited to share that we are currently undergoing the rigorous process to become ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified.
For a fully distributed team like ours, these certifications aren't just badges for the website; they are a framework that ensures we stay at the top of our game while looking after the planet.
What do these certifications actually mean?
ISO 9001 (quality management): This is the gold standard for quality management. It ensures that an organisation has the systems in place to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements.
For our clients, it’s a guarantee of consistency, reliability and continuous improvement.
ISO 14001 (environmental management): This certification provides a framework for organisations to design and implement an environmental management system.
It helps us measure and improve our environmental impact – something that is important to us as a digital-first, remote-working company.
Our Head of Operations, Dermot Frost, is leading the process for these certifications – capturing how Annertech already operates and making it scalable.
“We have always had high standards, but ISO certification allows us to prove it through a globally recognised framework,” says Dermot.
“Spearheading this process has been an eye-opener. It’s not just about ticking boxes; it’s about auditing our DNA to ensure that as we grow, our efficiency and our commitment to the environment remain world-class. It’s a rigorous journey, but one that ultimately makes us a better partner for our clients.”
Building on a foundation of security
This journey toward quality and environmental excellence isn't our first foray into international standards. We are leveraging the extensive experience gained from achieving our ISO 27001 certification last year.
While each standard focuses on a different theme, such as security, quality or sustainability, they all share a common DNA.
The rigorous structure required for 27001 paved the way for these new certifications, particularly in how we manage company structure, engage with our clients and regulators, and support our distributed staff. By building on that existing framework, we are ensuring that excellence is baked into every layer of the Annertech operation.
What the process entails
Getting certified is no small feat. It’s a deep dive into every corner of how Annertech operates. The process involves:
- A complete gap analysis: We looked at our current workflows, from how we kick off a Drupal project to how we manage internal communications, and identified where we could tighten our processes to meet ISO standards.
- Documentation and standardisation: We’ve been busy formalising The Annertech Way of doing things. This ensures that no matter which team member is working on a project, the level of quality remains consistent.
- Internal audits: We are currently putting our systems to the test, ensuring that our quality and environmental policies aren’t just documents on a digital shelf, but lived practices within the team.
- External assessment: Finally, an independent auditor will verify that we meet every requirement of the standards.
Why this matters for Annertech (and our clients)
The answer is simple: trust. We work with large-scale public sector bodies and international organisations, and they need to know that their digital partner has the infrastructure to handle high-stakes projects securely and efficiently.
Pursuing ISO certification is a natural next step in Annertech’s evolution. It’s about proving to ourselves and our clients that our distributed model doesn’t just work; it excels. Whether it’s ensuring the highest code quality or minimising our carbon footprint, these standards keep us accountable and focused on excellence.
ISO 14001 helps us lead the way in green digital practices, ensuring that as we build the web of the future, we’re doing so with a clear conscience. We’re also passing our practices on to our clients by ensuring that their websites perform as optimally as possible. The less data a site transfers, the less energy it consumes.
From a technical perspective, streamlining code, leveraging server-side caching and choosing green hosting providers powered by renewable energy are the most effective ways to lower a site’s carbon footprint.
Conclusion
Achieving ISO 9001 and 14001 certification is more than a milestone for Annertech, it is a promise to our clients and the planet.
By formalising The Annertech Way, we are ensuring that our distributed team continues to deliver world-class digital solutions with the transparency, reliability and environmental integrity that modern organisations demand.
We look forward to completing this journey and continuing to set the standard for excellence in the Drupal community and beyond.
As well as being the founder and managing director of Annertech, Stella is one of the best known Drupal contributors in the world.
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