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The global economy has produced a business environment that is becoming increasingly globalized and commoditized, forcing companies in all industries to look for viable modalities that ensure that they are able to develop and sustain a competitive edge. Indeed, companies in the oil and gas industry have not been able to escape the need to be more competitive, which begins with effectively creating long-term solutions that facilitate an increase in gross profit. Some of the most effective methods for increasing profit are through increasing operational efficiency and the reduction of fixed costs.
 
Understanding Operational Excellence
 
In its simplest form, operational excellence can be understood as an integral component of organizational leadership that places great emphasis on multiples principles, tools and systems that work toward the sustainable improvement of identifiable central performance metrics.
 
Achieving operational excellence, however, is quite challenging, especially when considering the increased complexity in the area of extreme remote operational environments. One of the most effective approaches that many companies in the petroleum industry are implementing is the complete integration of all processes and assets into an all-inclusive management system. In doing this, the potential for increasing a more effective and efficient operational process, resulting in general operational costs.
 
Using Methodologies that Keep the Operational Process Connected
 
One thing that we place substantial gravity on is not allowing the complexity of remote environments to foster disconnects between mechanisms and entities that control performance. When it comes to quality management, we integrate more than 64 operational modules into a single seamless, online management system. By connecting all of our client's API Q2 requirements with one comprehensive solution, we provide our clients with a highly detailed perspective of their operational compliance in all key areas.
 
Integrated approaches to asset and operational management initially began with a goal of improving Process Safety Management (PSM) — with the primary focus being on HSE system efficiency. Due to the fact that oil and gas companies often operate in hostile environments, using hazardous materials and processes, it is imperative that these processes are effectively managed with a high level of precision and specificity in order to successfully avoid significant process-related accidents. This need for precision and safety resulted in the development of PSM programs and procedures that are normally housed within an HSE system.
 
Now the idea of integrated processes has been taken to an entirely different level as we work to implement safety and operational efficiency into one single integrated process, through which all variables and components of the operational process can be monitored and managed, even when functioning in extreme and remote environments.
 
Maximize Productivity
 
While safety is always at the forefront of any operational process, we understand that time is money, and when time is being wasted on operational processes, the company is hemorrhaging money. As the nature of operational processes continue to increase in complexity, the ability to manage these processes through multiple mechanisms has become increasingly difficult — making it necessary to develop integrated process applications through which the entire operational system can be effectively managed.
 
When high-paced operations require that API Spec Q1 and/or API Spec Q2 standards be met in multiple processes that are functioning simultaneously, integrating all required standards into one measurement mechanism helps to simplify the compliance and efficiency process.  Integrated solutions help to prevent disconnects that can occur when multiple processes are managed through separate systems.
 
Accupoint can help facilitate operational excellence at a level that ensures that you are able to develop and sustain a competitive edge, as well as maintain quality and safety compliance standards.
 
For more information or to schedule a platform demonstration, click here.

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The API Spec Q2 standard requires that service supply organizations monitor customer satisfaction.  Specifically, Section 6.2.1 states:
 
“The organization shall maintain a documented procedure to monitor customer satisfaction. The procedure shall address customer feedback, key performance indicators (KPIs), and other information that the organization monitors to determine whether the organization has met customer requirements. Records of the results of customer satisfaction information shall be maintained.”
 
With this in mind, here are five best practices to consider when creating your satisfaction survey:
  • Define the goal:
          A clearly focused survey will aid in the capture of information that can be acted
          on and analyzed.
  • Keep it short:
          When the questionnaire is too long or complex, participation will drop off
          exponentially.
  • Avoid leading questions:
          The quality of the responses will depend on the quality of your questions.
  • Measure what matters:
          Strive for actionable feedback that drives your continual improvement efforts.
  • Segment your results:
           Overall scores may look good when averaged; however segmenting scores the data
           into groups with similar characteristics will highlight trends that may not otherwise
           be apparent.

Understand that to effectively measure customer satisfaction, you must evaluate more than whether the customer is satisfied.  Best practice dictates that we evaluate the satisfaction level throughout the interaction process and, more importantly that we survey appropriate personnel that have first-hand knowledge of our performance.  Remember that the ultimate goal of measuring customer satisfaction is to facilitate customer retention and referrals, leading to long term growth. 
 
For more information on how Accupoint can help you streamline your Customer Satisfaction process, please call us toll free at 800.563.6250 or visit us at www.accupointsoftware.com.

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When it comes to quality management standards, complying with the latest revisions is key. A big change is underfoot in the standards world, with the release of the new ISO 9001 standard. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) reviews all standards every five years to ensure they are up-to-date and comparable with the modern market, and since the latest ISO 9001 was released in 2008, a revision has been long-awaited.

However, there is no need to fret about a complete overhaul of your system; the 2015 update is just that - an update. The ISO reports that the main change with the new standard is a restructuring

"to make it easier to use in conjunction with other management system standards, with increased importance given to risk."

If your business is registered to the 2008 version of ISO 9001, you have a three year span to update your quality management system to the 2015 version. The new standard was just released in September of this year, meaning that you have until September of 2018 to fully integrate it into your quality management protocols. However, as with anything safety and quality related, it is better to update to this revised standard sooner rather than later.

More information on the new ISO 9001 standard can be found on the ISO's website, where you can watch a quick video outlining the main changes within the new standard.

If you have any questions on ISO 9001:2015 and how Accupoint can help you meet the new requirements, please contact us at 800.563.6250 or visit us at www.accupointsoftware.com.

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It's never a fun thing when somebody in your workplace experiences an accident on the job. Accidents and injuries happen in all industries that require a lot of physical work and stamina, and the petroleum industry is no exception. It's how we respond to an injury that makes all the difference in preventing future accidents.

Prompt injury reporting to OSHA is a regulatory requirement that must be taken care of as soon as possible. If the injury results in a fatality, you only have an eight-hour window of time to report the injury to OSHA. This is true even if the accident results in a fatality later on. All deaths within 30 days of a work-related incident must be reported.

Employers with more than ten employees and whose establishments are not classified as a partially exempt industry must record work-related injuries and illnesses using OSHA forms. These forms must be submitted within a very specific time frame.

If you are not exempt, you must record all work-related injuries and illnesses that result in time off from work, restricted work and even in transfers to another job, such as some time behind a desk instead of in the field. Any loss of consciousness or medical treatment beyond first aid must be recorded in company records and reported to OSHA.

Employers are also expected to record significant work-related injuries or illnesses that are diagnosed by a physicians or medical team, even if they don't cause time away from the job.
What does OSHA considered to be an injury? Pretty much anything: this includes cuts, sprains, broken bones, and amputations and of course anything requiring surgery. Work-related illnesses include both acute and chronic conditions, and usually involve long-term exposure to toxins and contaminants. These include skin diseases, respiratory disorders, and sometimes even poisoning such as solvent intoxication.

Some injuries are considered serious enough to merit reporting within 24 hours. These typically include work-related inpatient hospitalizations, amputations, and injuries resulting in the loss of an eye.

Regulatory requirements are often easy to meet when you're using an integrated reporting solution to manage the paperwork. For more information on how Accupoint can help streamline your injury reporting process, please contact us at 800.563.6250 or visit us at www.accupointsoftware.com.

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Business success and operational excellence rely on many things. Realistic and far-reaching company goals and the right business systems are key ingredients for this success. But at a more basic level, success is traced to one corporate asset: people.

The competency and dedication of an organization’s personnel are the biggest reasons for its success or failure, which is why the API Spec Q2 standard addresses the training and competency of personnel from the start. Training & competency is an important part of every successful organization’s mission, and the Q2 spec formalizes the development process. Documenting skill assessments and tracking training milestones ensures that a competent workforce remains focused on the quality of their actions and outcomes.

It makes sense; a well-trained employee will assess risk in a systematic and logical manner. This activity carries on through the service and process design review, and into contingency planning, where competency is critical for proper prevention, mitigation, and communication during an unplanned event.

The Q2 spec also requires tight controls on the supply chain and service quality planning functions. Trained personnel need to be competent in assessing suppliers, developing methods for qualification, controlling subcontractors, and documenting plans. The Q2 spec clearly defines requirements for quality management in these subjects for personnel to follow, as well as for preventive maintenance, change management, and other areas.

Success in these areas still comes down to one thing - people - personnel who know their functions, and understand their process. Accupoint’s SAM Q2 platform can help streamline all of the API Spec Q2 requirements, starting with training & competency. To learn more, please contact us.

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What business doesn't want to function at maximum capacity? Achieving operational excellence  is a goal of most organizations. But, the desire to achieve it must be married to a clear plan for doing so. 

Companies obtain operational excellence when company principles, systems and business tools are aligned with a goal of realizing sustainable improvements against business critical KPIs (key performance indicators). Leveraging your compliance management software for this purpose can improve your ability to achieve it. 

Obviously, being in compliance with industry and government regulatory guidelines is a critical component of organizational excellence. Having a tool that you can leverage to capture compliance with these guidelines and identify areas of improvement helps move you closer to your goal. Because compliance management software is able to capture and track the manual systems and business processes that drive revenue, it is a viable tool for monitoring the KPIs that impact operational excellence. 

This benefit is important because it eliminates the need for implementing another system and dedicating additional resources to track progress against this goal. Also, because quality assurance and systematic thinking are key attributes of a successful approach to operational excellence, the tool can be configured to track and report against each element that drives a business to organizational success. 

To learn more about how Accupoint can assist you in your pursuit of operational excellence, please contact us at 800.563.6250 or www.accupointsoftware.com.

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Visitors to public buildings pose a substantial security risk. This affects the oil & gas industry as much as any federal facility. A smart company can reduce that risk, however, by managing its visitors.

Some visitor management systems are "low-tech"; that is, the person signs her name, the time she enters the building, what office/employee she will visit, and signs out when leaving the building - all done using pen and paper.

The most successful visitor management relies on computerized systems to confirm visitor identity, conduct background checks, confirm security clearances and otherwise obtain information with regard to the person that may affect his or her ability to visit or that impacts the company.

To be successful, a visitor management system should combine security checks with access control. The low-tech method used keys, key cards, and badges to limit access to sensitive areas. Comprehensive visitor management systems now use smart software technology and web-based programs able to document a visitor's whereabouts in the building and track building usage by specific visitors. Some include registration through a portal before the visit. This technique helps the business check the identity and security clearance to fast-track the visitor when he arrives. The visitor management process begins several days before the actual visit and isn't completed until after the visit is over and all information analyzed.

For more information on how Accupoint’s solutions can help you manage your visitor management process, visit www.accupointsoftware.com or call us at (800) 563-6250. We always appreciate the opportunity to share information on systems that can help your business become more efficient and positioned to meet global business standards.

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03/02/2006, 07/26/2010, and 05/19/2015. To the average person, these dates mean birthdays, anniversaries, birth and deaths. But to the petroleum industry, these are considered some of the costliest failures of quality management in recent petroleum history.

Prudhoe Bay, Alaska (March 2, 2006): Because of lack of maintenance, cracks in a pipeline spilled 843,000 gallons of petroleum, devastated pristine landscapes, killed wildlife and made people sick.

        Final cost: $500 million.

Kalamazoo River, Michigan (July 26, 2010): Lack of maintenance caused a pipeline rupture that spilled 267,000 gallons of petroleum spilled into the Kalamazoo River.

        Final cost: $800 million

Refugio, California (May 19, 2015): The decision not to install a simple shutoff valve caused the decimation of local wildlife, contaminated beaches and will continue to affect ocean life for many years to come.

        Final cost: Yet to be determined

As you know, there are many other incidents within the industry where the question of adequate detection and mitigation could have reduced the impact of the incident. In fact, at a very basic level and according to the API Spec Q2 standard, your risk assessment and management should “control risk throughout the execution of a service.” In order to maintain compliance, your procedure should:

  1. Identify risks (potential or real) associated with services and service-related products;
  2. Identify and use risk management tools and techniques;
  3. Select, communicate and implement the mitigation or preventive control measures to reduce or avoid exposure to loss; and
  4. Notify the customer of remaining risks that may impact the service.
 
In short, managing risk requires proactive and preventive measures to protect your organization’s and customer’s interests. Detection and mitigation of risk potential should be at the core of your total risk assessment strategy.

For more information on how Accupoint’s solutions can help you manage your risk assessment process, visit www.accupointsoftware.com or call us at 800.563.6250.

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Training increases the knowledge base of employees, increasing performance and positively impacting the bottom line. However, training is becoming very complex with the growth in technology and learning styles. Understanding the needs of your business and employees is crucial in having effective training.

To that end, we have listed 4 best practices to help improve your training process:

  • Set Clear Goals: Regardless of the teaching methods implemented for your training, setting precise goals is a must. Clear goals demonstrate the outcome of the training session, ensuring business trainers stay on track and employees understand where they are heading.
  • Offer Several Learning Methods: Studies have discovered the many learning styles used by individuals to increase understanding. The complexity of the mind reflects the uniqueness of every human being; however, this can be a difficult aspect to manage when providing a training session. In order to ensure training is effective, it is crucial to choose a method which reflects what needs to be taught and offers many learning opportunities for the employees. For example, use an oral presentation while also engaging the learnings through writing or hands on activities.
  • Give Coaching: After a training session, offer the employees coaching to keep new skills sharp and to clarify confusions. Through coaching, the new skills can be enhanced without another in-depth training session. To increase the acceptance of continued learning, foster a love of learning in your business by highlighting the importance and value of learning to their personal goals within the business.
  • Provide Orientation: Providing an orientation to your new employees allows the employees to feel comfortable starting their new job while also presenting the needed skills. Orientation provides bonding with co-workers and supervisors, creating an atmosphere of respect. Providing key information and training before an employee begins also fosters the love of learning to opening the door for future coaching.

For more information on how Acupoint can help your organization meet the needs of API Spec Q2’s Training and Competency requirements, give us a call at 800.563.6250 or click here for more information.

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Complying with the API Spec Q1 standard is critical to your business. Not only does it ensure that you are adhering to legal requirements for your company's products, but it also helps ensure that what you produce meets the needs of your customers. Document management is a critical component of the quality requirements governed by the Q1 standard.

Digital innovations in compliance management has streamlined this process and made it much easier for companies to comply. These flexible, cloud-based solutions make it simpler for companies to effectively manage the processes and document them, which provide benefits beyond meeting regulatory guidelines. This documentation and digital record keeping also makes identifying flaws in production processes and resource management easier to identify and correct.

Documentation for Q1 compliance serves three critical needs:

  • Information Communication - the level of organizational communication required will vary depending upon the structure of an organization and its products, but should focus on driving organizational awareness
  • Conformity Confirmation - when required, documentation provides a clear and detailed record of standards adherence
  • Knowledge Base - documentation makes it easier to track and replicate successful processes and procedures

While documentation has always been required to meet these goals, the manual nature of collecting the information was often a barrier to full and accurate documentation. In today's world, cloud-based web solutions have removed these barriers and simplified the steps required to meet the Q1 standard for both process management and documentation.

Finding the right management solution for your business is easier than it has ever been. Contact Accupoint software to find out how we can help streamline your Document and Procedure Management process.

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