The certifications of a company constitute image strengthening shown to clients and community in general; details aspects that ensure the success of its work and process. That is why this article deals with an analysis of the certifications that the Group has to successfully fulfill service, talent and work. 

Verónica Moreira, Coordinator of Public Relations and Communications at the regional level for our company, points out that having certifications in various areas is of great importance for the development of a company on issues like:   

• Ensure the quality of the service provided both to clients internal and external and to suppliers. 
• Provide constant assistance to clients, where they will always receive from Grupo STT, detailed assistance to processes, as well as constancy in the way it works. 
• On the subject of certifications for example, environmental, it makes sure to create environmental awareness and the organization’s commitment for the fight to have clean processes and always in pro to help the environment.  
• In information security certifications, we can provide an adequate handling of sentistive information from our clients, in addition to protection and privacy policies that are vital for this line of business.  

Grupo STT has to date quality certifiations as ISO 9001-2015; in environment, as the one of Neutral Carbon; and in quality and environment Esencial Costa Rica can be mentioned. Soon the one of security of the information: ISO-27001 will be included.

Quality Certification

Our Leader in Quality, Mileyvi López, specifies that the quality certification integrates a Quality Management System, which is a tool that allows the organization to plan, execute and control its activities. Later the regulation is applied, in our case ISO 9001-2015 through internal audits, as well as reviews by the management and external audit of a certifying body.     

Currently Grupo STT has quality certifications in Costa Rica, Panamá and Colombia, which constitutes a benefit in the approach based on its processes, because this makes them have greater control of the critical or weak points of an organization. Among the benefits of a Quality Management System are:

• Improves the organization´s image.
• Increases client satisfaction.
• Helps process integration.
• Creates a culture of continuous improvement.
• Promotes the participation of senior management and employees.

Information Technology Certifications

Pablo Betrano, Coordinator of Innovation, points out that Grupo STT has a software and tools certifications as SAS 70 which allows internal control of financial auditing and technological risks. 

We also rely on international information security laws like FIMSA to establish quality standards and carry out a controlled process in relationships with our suppliers. Also, it adds that ISO-27001 can support and improve controls at the organizational level and protect customer information. 

Among the main advantages of these certifications for the company are: 

• Reduce the risk of security incidents.
• Improve our clients´ trust in us.
• Information protection.
• Facilitate the entry of new clients and suppliers. 
• Costs´ reduction that they would have without these processes. 

Final Certifications 

Our Financial and Purchasing Coordinator, Kattia Campos, tells us about the recent certification that the subsidiary of Costa Rica obtained, making it a cash-free company, which is a program designed by the Central Bank of Costa Rica and the entities of the national financial system, which has as purpose achieve maximum use of electronic services that we have available for collection and payment transactions. This certification for Grupo STT Costa Rica promotes risk reduction in managing cash and costs associated with this process.

Among the main benefits of it can be mentioned:

• Reduction of operating costs by using electronic means that automate and streamline operations: 
• Reduction of risk in cash management.
• Provides greater security in payment transactions.
• Improves the internal controls of the collections and payments that are made.
• Always thinking of the client by providing a better service and collection and payment alternatives.
• Contribution to the development of the payment system of our country.

Additionally, it is important to mention that we are pioneers in obtaining this certification for service companies of the same industry.

Carbon Neutrality Certification

Mileyvi points out that this certification consists on greenhouse gas emissions balance (GEI), measuring the environmental impact of organizations (expressed in tons of CO2 equivalent), and in this manner determines its main emission sources of its detected origins.    

At the same time, establish and execute targeted reduction actions in the most significant resources and make up for the remaining by acquiring compensation bonds to counteract emissions that have not been reduced through FONAFIFO, and so reach the target of carbon neutral. 

It is a certification that only the subsidiary in Costa Rica has, but it is expected to expand to other subsidiaries, as this allows to establish the environmental impact associated with the production of an organization and in this manner be able to execute reduction actions that are translated in greater efficiency, reducing annual budgets and improving the corporate image. Also:

• Increases actions to reduce or mitigate effects of climate change.
• Verifies Carbon Neutrality Claims that guarantee transparency. 
• Improves management production and derived products. 
• Improves corporate image. 
• Allows to present its credentials of environmental compliance and achievements in greenhouse gas mitigation with confidence. 

Country Brand Certification

Verónica states that the Country Brand Certification highlights the values of being Costa Rican and it is governed by five pillars that are: Excellence, Sustainability, Social Progress, Innovation and Origin. These principles set by PROCOMER are a standard to present Costa Rica and its inhabitants to the world. 

This is a certification originally from Costa Rica, specifically -Esencial Costa Rica-; there are many other countries around the world that have created their own brand and seek precisely what we provide, highlight characteristics by which foreigners/tourists must know us and companies must invest or placer their companies in our country.   

Being Country Brand for Costa Rica has multiple benefits, among which we can mention:

• Business differentiation.
• Business generation.
• National and international communication platform.
• Change management and continuous improvement.
• Generation of added value and high standards.
• Strengthening of corporate image.
• Differential treatment in PROCOMER

In addition to the above, it puts us internationally on the radar of companies that know the importance of these types of certifications and being backed by them offers in quality and service.

What´s coming soon for Grupo STT?

Regarding quality, Certification ISO-9004 of continuous improvement and Inte G38 are coming soon. 

Certification ISO 9001-2015 for the subsidiary in Dominican Republic is coming soon. 

For free cash certification, we have periodical reviews each year to maintain it; for a period of three years thereafter, the certification remains indefinite.

How can Grupo STT help your company on this issue? 

Grupo STT with its certifications can contribute so that each one of the companies that works with us receives always a quality service; oriented to excellence and where continuous improvement is always sought in pro to achieve the best in each of our processes.   

Also, we can always ensure the best advice since we are always in constant learning; certifications require us, year after year to train ourselves and make constant review of each of the areas and their actions; the above allows us to be sure that the service provided meets the expectations and needs of our commercial partners.  

info@grupostt.com

Hugo Carmona Espinoza

Regional Community Manager