Apto Solutions Inc. Ensures OngoingOperational Improvements.

“More than anything, our

ISO certified systems provide

us with a highly organized

approach to running our

day-to-day operations”

Tim Farrow, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development

Customer Needs

• Differentiate from competitors

• Compliance to regulatory requirements

• Oversight of process

• Accountability to clients

• Mitigate complex regulatory requirements

Customer Benefits

• Certification standards temper complexity

• Client trust provided by verification

• Ongoing regulatory compliance in multiple states

• Continuous improvement

BSI Case Study Apto Solutions Inc. ISO 9001 I ISO 14001 I OHSAS 18001

Customer BackgroundHeadquartered in Atlanta, GA, Apto Solutions, Inc. was founded in 2001 when the technology markets were slipping quickly into turmoil and companies across the nation were filing for bankruptcy every day. During the following 18 months, Apto worked alongside GE Capital and several other creditors to help them monetize the assets of their defunct investments. Apto enabled bankrupt companies, including Enron and Nortel Networks, to strategically remarket their tangible assets.

Meanwhile, Apto invested a great deal of money and resources to develop a state-of-the-art, integrated inventory and contact management system. Apto uses that system to simultaneously inventory, track, locate, and market its acquired assets to appropriate buyers worldwide.

Today, Apto operates three facilities staffed by 100 employees. The company has earned a leading reputation and has become a global brand in the IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) Industry. Apto has ongoing asset recovery contracts with many of the world’s largest corporations.

“People consider what we do to be recycling, but there is a lot more to our company and our work,” said Tim Farrow, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development, for Apto. “Every contract is different, which makes for a great deal of complexity in our day-to-day operations.”

In addition to reselling assets for companies that are dissolving, Apto also provides complete solutions to companies that are thriving and wish to refresh their existing technology. Apto helps these customers purchase new equipment in retail markets and recycle or strategically remarket their old technology to help make their upgrades more efficient and cost effective.

Customer needsTo accommodate the immense breadth and complexity of its business, and to become recognized as more than just another recycling company, Apto realized the need for certification. Customer trust is a strong value of the company.

“Markets change quickly for recycled assets and, whether they are buying or selling, customers want to make sure that they are getting the best value for their equipment,” explained Farrow. “Our customers are sensitive to quality practices; they want to be sure that all company data is stripped from the equipment taken from their premises.”

The need for accountability throughout the business, and on an individual level, in a wide variety of circumstances was a

priority if Apto wanted to continue to be a leader in the IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) Industry.

To meet the requirements of a growing number of customers, Apto obtained three certifications from BSI:

• ISO 9001 - Quality Management Systems

• ISO 14001 - Environmental Management Systems

• OHSAS 18001 - Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems

BSI Case Study Apto Solutions Inc. ISO 9001 I ISO 14001 I OHSAS 18001

Customer BenefitsAdhering closely to industry standards and the requirements of its integrated management systems enables Apto to build trust with customers. Apto is able to prove compliance to best practice and clients are assured that any and all data has been erased from equipment that is destined for resale or recycling. For instance, the company is able to abide by the many and ever-changing regulations governing the recycling and export of materials to multiple geographic locations. “Our certifications guide our processes to ensure that we account for all variables, including material handling, reporting, and import/export requirements,” said Farrow.

While the desire to satisfy customer requirements led Apto to obtain its certifications, they have helped the company accomplish so much more.

In addition to ensuring compliance with regulations, Apto also keeps track of its downstream supply chain to ensure that equipment is not being sold or exported to companies or countries that are ineligible to receive it. According to Farrow, downstream partners must be able to show that they are “doing what they say they are doing” with the equipment they purchase instead of using it in a manner that is illegal or dangerous to others.

“Without our certifications and industry standards, integrating all these things on a day-to-day basis could create a chaotic atmosphere,” Farrow added. “More than anything, our ISO certified systems provide us with a highly organized approach to running our operations and develop a culture of continuous improvement.”

Farrow talks to his compliance officer frequently; they work together to determine the root cause of any problems, developing realistic corrective actions. The standards provide them with proven techniques and operating cycles that contribute to quality and financial improvements.

So much is going on at Apto on any given day and with any given number of customers, sellers, and buyers. The management systems’ ability to enforce personal and managerial accountability is critical. In addition to letting employees know what their responsibilities are, the systems also help us to measure and improve quality and communications.

Quarterly management reviews, now have a structured format where discussion is focused on key issues. Apto’s ability to talk about corrective and preventive actions has had a huge impact on the company and each employee’s sense of accountability.

Since implementing ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001, Apto has improved its bottom line by more than $150,000 per year. The company has also significantly increased the number of days without an injury. Safety walks and checklists enable supervisors to point out situations of concern and encourage employees to take ownership of safety issues. Other savings are being realized with the reduction of time spent on the processing of incoming inventory. This enables Apto’s managers and employees to work as efficiently as possible despite the widely fluctuating workflow that is the nature of Apto’s business.

BSI Case Study Apto Solutions Inc. ISO 9001 I ISO 14001 I OHSAS 18001

Why BSI?““We’ve been partners with BSI for over 4 years now, and we continue to be very happy with our choice,” said Farrow.

“Our managers and employees continue to learn a great deal during the audits and other interactions with BSI, which in turn helps Apto become a better company,” he added.

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Your business could benefit from integrated management systems just like Apto Solutions, Inc. To find out more, visit www.bsiamerica.com

BSI is not just another certification body. By packaging assessment, training, and management system software tool – EntropyTM Software, BSI provides a solutions toolkit that combines it all in a comprehensive service offering and provides organizations with an integrated approach to meet needs and embed excellence.

BSI Case Study Apto Solutions Inc. ISO 9001 I ISO 14001 I OHSAS 18001

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