In an era where regulatory compliance, industry standards, and geographical regulations can make or break a business, finding a trustworthy platform to guide your journey is paramount. Whether operating in a single industry or juggling multiple sectors across various regions, these systems can be your lifeline.
But with numerous options on the market, how do you decide which is the perfect fit for your organization? That’s what we’ll explore today. We’ll compare the features of two popular Industry Standard retailers and subscription systems, SAI Global and Nimonik, which acquired Document Center inc., to help you decide which fits you best.
SAI Global: Streamline Compliance With a Cloud-Based Platform
Based in Australia, SAI Global is a company that provides standards, technical information, and regulations essential for businesses to ensure safety, quality, and compliance in their operations. They have over 1.6 million standards from more than 360 publishers encompassing different industry standards such as the following:
- Management
- Safety
- Medical Device
- Building and Construction
- Precision Engineering
- Mining
- Electrical
- Environmental
- Consumer Product
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
- Infrastructure
- Import and Export
Organizations can customize their collections of standards and regulations relevant to their business. This collection can also be personalized with notes and additional content for authorized users. This feature is designed to make it easier for companies to access the specific information they need, saving them time searching through extensive databases.
British inspection and product testing company Intertek Group acquired SAI Global Assurance in 2021 for $660 million, adding to its portfolio of services. With this acquisition, Intertek Group has expanded its market share in Australia, North America, the UK, and China.
Exploring SAI Global Key Features
SAI Global i2i is a cloud-based platform for standards management. It enables organizations to store, retrieve, and share standards, stay updated with changes, and access licensed content for compliance and organizational excellence.
The platform provides technical professionals worldwide access to critical knowledge, content centralization, and virtual team collaboration. Within the platform, organizations can perform the following.
Access to over 1.6 million Standards
Gain access to a comprehensive collection of standards from different industries, including ISO, AS, IEC, IEEE, and ANSI.
Manage Documents
Integrate internal data with external sources to establish centralized repositories of vital information. These repositories should include relevant links. Once created, you can share these documents with others for easy access and collaboration.
Control Costs
Ensure cost-efficiency by paying only for necessary services and information while avoiding redundant documents. Purchase controls restrict the ability to purchase new content to authorized staff members only.
Access Quickly
QuickView offers an immediate online preview of the required document while the download process occurs seamlessly in the background.
Stay Informed
Access standard equivalencies and get real-time notifications for document updates or cancellations.
In-Depth Reports
Obtain comprehensive visibility of the most frequently utilized, accessed, and requested standards to enhance the efficiency of your subscription.
Customize Library
Organizations can tailor libraries of standards and regulations pertinent to their operations. This feature enhances organization, accessibility, and collaboration within the platform, fostering a more efficient and effective workflow.
Legislation Database
SAI Global has a legislation database from all Australian jurisdictions provided by Lawlex. They also have different National Construction Code (NCC) package options available. They do not have legislation outside of Australia.
Nimonik Document Center: Comprehensive Standards Management Platform
Established in 1982 in Silicon Valley, California, Document Center Inc. has gained a reputation as a reliable partner for organizations seeking comprehensive standards management solutions. On January 1st, 2024, Document Center was acquired by Nimonik.
Their dynamic approach to updating their customers’ standard collections has been instrumental in maintaining compliance with regulatory bodies such the U.S. FDA. Document Center has served over 15,000 companies with retail purchases of standards in print and pdf and with a subscription platform for accessing industry standards. Document Center has focused on the medical device sector, but is now expanding to many other industries under the Nimonik banner.
Document Center pioneered the distribution of regulatory standards online when it launched its website in 1993. The company has continuously adapted to new technologies and evolving customer needs, staying ahead of the curve in standard management services.
Expanding the reach of its services, Document Center Inc. (now Nimonik) covers a wide range of disciplines and jurisdictions, monitoring over 600,000 standards. Their offerings are broad, from military specifications and international regulations to non-U.S. standards and government publications. They cater to the diverse needs of their clients, reinforcing their reputation as a comprehensive hub for standard information.
Some of the well-known organizations Document Center has agreements with include the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL). At the same time, their international regulations agreement includes.
- Australian Standards Association
- Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS)
- European Computer Manufacturers Association (ECMA)
- European Standards (EN)
- International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Exploring Nimonik – Document Center Key Features
Nimonik and Document Center offer clients various services, including standard subscription packages, online document purchasing options, and customized collection management. Some of the key features that make Document Center stand out are:
Subscription Management Services
Nimonik – Document Center’s subscription management service allows organizations to outsource their standard collection, saving time and resources. This service includes tracking updates, providing alerts for document changes, and obtaining hard copies or digital versions of required standards.
Standards Monitoring
Organizations can specify which documents they want to monitor, and Nimonik and Document Center will send notifications for revisions or new versions. This feature is handy for businesses in rapidly evolving industries requiring frequent regulatory standards updates. There are multiple monitoring options available, including the following choices.
- Regular Notification Service – Companies can receive email notifications whenever there are changes to their documents. These updates are promptly delivered as soon as they become available.
- Standards Alert – This premium service conducts a comprehensive audit of a company’s collection and promptly notifies via email within 24 hours of any changes in standards.
- Standards Express – This option is designed for individuals and organizations who wish to receive notifications about changes without requiring an audit. Document Center will promptly send an email containing the updated version of the document along with its corresponding price.
- Standards Informer – This service enables clients to monitor standards not currently in their collection. It offers quarterly reports on new standards within their areas of interest, generated four times yearly.
- Quarterly Standards Report – The quarterly report provides a comprehensive list of standards, titles, current revision levels, release dates, and any amendments or correction sheets associated with a company’s collection.
Auditing Services
Nimonik and Document Center provide auditing services to assess the completeness and correctness of an organization’s current standard collection and its regulatory coverage. This audit service consists of an expert reviewing to identify discrepancies, providing a quote for necessary updates, and offering solutions to rectify any issues.
SAI Global and Nimonik – Document Center
SAI Global and Nimonik Document Center offer similar services to clients, but there are a few key differences. While Nimonik – Document Center focuses on providing comprehensive standard purchase and management services, SAI Global’s core service is risk management and assurance solutions.
SAI Global offers additional features such as supplier management tools, contract lifecycle management solutions, and incident reporting capabilities. They also provide consultancy services to help organizations manage risks associated with non-compliance.
On the other hand, Nimonik – Document Center offers more specialized services such as customized collection management and auditing. Their extensive standards database covers more disciplines and jurisdictions than SAI Global.
Both companies have a strong reputation for providing reliable and efficient services, making them valuable partners in maintaining compliance with regulatory bodies. They each bring unique strengths, allowing clients to choose the best-fit solution for their specific needs.
Ultimately, the choice between SAI Global and Document Center depends on an organization’s specific needs and priorities. Both companies offer reliable and efficient solutions for managing standards, ensuring compliance with regulatory bodies for businesses in highly regulated industries.
FAQs About SAI Global Alternatives
What makes Nimonik Document Center different from other standard management companies?
Nimonik Document Center stands out for its comprehensive database, covering various disciplines and jurisdictions. Its interconnection between standards and regulations and its management software to share information across your organization. They also offer specialized services such as customized collection management and auditing.
How to Order from Nimonik – Document Center?
Search for your desired standard by document number, title, or keywords. Alternatively, you can browse their publisher, classification, industry, and regulation lists. Choose the format (print or PDF) and specify your shipping method for hard copies. For digital versions, you can download a single-user license.
What is the Regular Notification Service offered by Nimonik – Document Center?
Receive email notifications whenever changes occur to your chosen documents with this service. This option is ideal for organizations with a standard collection and seeking to monitor updates on their current titles effectively.
Does Nimonik Document Center offer a free trial for their industry standard subscription services?
No, Document Center does not provide a free trial period for industry standards due to copyright protection requirements. However, you can contact their customer service team to discuss your needs and determine if a subscription package suits your organization.
