Organisations seeking ICT Solutions quite rightly demand to work with reputable suppliers and with quality being at the heart of UKita, the UKita Quality Mark pushes forward the boundaries of excellence to give organisations that level of reassurance and comfort.
The UKita Quality Mark is one such initiative to help raise the credibility of ICT Suppliers by looking into their track record.
Why the UKita Quality Mark?
The UKita Quality Mark provides a service to organisations, large and small, who are seeking a reputable ICT supplier. The UKita Quality Mark is designed to provide the assurance that an ICT Supplier has demonstrated a commitment to customer satisfaction and is a professionally run organisation. Being Quality marked also opens up more business opportunities within UKita.
Why should Members consider applying for the UKita Quality Mark?
There are a number of obvious benefits from achieving the UKita Quality Mark:
It should influence the decision process of organisations when selecting a supplier for their ICT requirement, as it is a positive indication that the member has achieved a recognised standard of professional competency
It is a positive indication of competence to other UKita members who are seeking complementary partners for larger collaborative ventures
The member can use the UKita approved logo (subject to conditions) on all correspondence and publicity documentation. The use of this logo shows UKita's endorsement of the company's professional reputation.
How to Obtain the UKita Quality Mark?
To achieve The UKita Approved ICT Supplier Status and be able to use the UKita Quality Mark it is necessary to complete:
The Application for Approved ICT Supplier Status form (QM02) and
Three separate Customer Reference Forms (QM03). These provide details of three client projects completed in the last eighteen months. These should be submitted in hard copy and electronic format.
Copies of the Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) certificate and any accreditation certificates held by your company are also required with the hard copies above. If these are not supplied the application will not be processed.
Members website will also be reviewed to accurately reflect the levels of professional competence claimed as part of submission for the UKita Quality Mark.
Submission of these forms to UKita also indicates that you and your clients agree to UKita verifying the accuracy of the claims made with the client companies.
The UKita Membership Committee reviews all applications and informs members accordingly. Existing members are also invited to provide feedback on new member applications via the UKita e-newsletter. Any verifiable comments from members on the opinions of suitability for this status would be appreciated and will be taken into account by the UKita Membership Committee when considering applications. Comments will normally be treated as confidential but if the company is refused the UKita Quality Mark is it is only fair that a company who decides to appeal should be able to see and respond to any comments pertinent to their application. UKita take a serious view on any deliberately false or misleading comments, pro or anti the application, and will take appropriate action against offenders.
Member comments will aid in establishing a credible database of approved suppliers that will benefit all UKita members.
What is the cost? From May 2007 there is a small cost of £150 for all new applications and £65 for renewals. Due to the popularity of this valuable accreditation the new cost is to cover increased levels of administartion and processing required. This is a non-profitable member service exclusive to members only.
How to renew your UKita Quality Mark?
Each year UKita will send out notifications for renewals, this includes a request for one further reference and continued PII cover on Accreditation Renewal Form QM01. Hard copies of PII and any accreditation certificates should be submitted with the hard copy application and reference forms.
The UKita Quality Mark also:
Instils trust and confidence in the supply of solutions
Increases the attractiveness of suppliers to their customers, leading to more business
Ensures that ICT supply organisations continue to deliver high quality solutions
Assists organisations in efficiently selecting quality suppliers
Improves the quality of ICT solutions in the region and
Gives a competitive advantage to UKita member organisations that hold the UKita Quality Mark.
The UKita Quality Mark will help members to improve the quality of the work they do, to showcase their achievements and abilities, as well as rewarding them through increased business for delivering to a high quality.
This will help continue to improve the regional economy by enabling purchasers of ICT solutions to readily identify high quality regional suppliers, improve the quality of the ICT solutions supplied within the region and make this quality visible.
Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII):
For information about PII and recommended companies download:
PII Document Link to Circle Insurance site for more information.
Forms to Complete to gain UKita Accreditation:
Accreditation Renewal Form QM01