Are you looking for a reliable platform for managing industry standards, regulations, and compliance requirements?
Navigating the complex and ever-changing industry standards and specifications can be daunting, especially for businesses operating in multiple industries or geographical regions. That’s where document management systems come into play.
With several resources available, how do you know which provides the best overall experience? Today, we’ll help you decide by looking at two of the most popular sites: Techstreet and Document Center. We’ll compare their features and customer service offerings so that you can determine which one is right for your organization’s needs.
Techstreet: Delivering Essential Codes and Standards at Your Fingertips
In 1996, Techstreet, previously known as CSSINFO, introduced its website for online searching and ordering of industry codes and standards. For over 25 years, they built strong partnerships with over 150 standards publishers worldwide, offering access to over 550,000 industry codes and standards through their platform. In 2023, Techstreet was acquired by IHS Accuris and their owners, KKR Private Equity.
Additionally, by connecting their platform to a vast range of essential industry codes and standards from around the globe, they can provide seamless access to invaluable resources to streamline quality assurance and compliance processes, even during the complex commercialization phase of the intellectual property (IP) lifecycle.
Today, Techstreet continuously delivers standards to engineers and technical experts quickly and efficiently through its online store and subscription platform. They cover research and design, testing and inspection, as well as maintenance and service, across a range of industries, including:
- Academic
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Construction
- Energy
- Engineering
- Government
- Manufacturing
- Medical devices
- Pharmaceuticals
- Utilities
Exploring Techstreet Key Features
Techstreet offers a convenient and efficient solution to access crucial standards and related documents. Their platform provides organizations with flexible administrative control, ensuring security and compliance. It allows businesses to concentrate on their strategic goals and maximize their competitive edge.
Some of their features include.
Techstreet Tracker
Allows organizations to keep track of industry codes and standards. The platform automatically notifies users via email of any changes to the documents listed, such as updates, amendments, and withdrawals. It eliminates manual tracking and ensures organizations stay compliant with the latest requirements.
Techstreet™ Enterprise
This feature offers multi-user, web-based access to a custom PDF set of industry codes and standards. Organizations can select the specific standards for their operations and store them on Techstreet’s secure web server. The subscription agreement is flexible, with 12, 24, or 36-month options.
Techstreet Store
An online store for single users and small teams, the Techstreet store provides easy-to-search access to a vast collection of industry codes and standards. Users can quickly find the needed data by searching by standard name or publisher. They can have the standards delivered in different formats, such as.
- Print + PDF
- Print only
- Multi-user PDF (up to 9 users)
- Redlines (Compare changes between the active standard and the previous version quickly.)
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code
Techstreet offers access to the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, issued once every two years. This code comprises 32 separate volumes that establish safety rules for the design, fabrication, and inspection of boilers, pressure vessels, and nuclear power systems.
Organizations can choose from any of the 3 formats below.
- Print + online access, including redlines
- Enterprise license for multi-user online access with free automatic updates.
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 10th, 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.
Comparing Techstreet and Document Center
Techstreet and Nimonik – Document Center offer comprehensive solutions for managing and accessing industry codes and standards. While Techstreet primarily focuses on providing a platform for easy access to standards, Nimonik – Document Center offers additional outsourcing services, such as subscription management, compliance solutions, custom monitoring and alert services, auditing, and reporting.
Additionally, Nimonik – Document Center has a stronger focus on quality control and ensuring compliance with standards through its auditing and quarterly reporting services. On the other hand, Techstreet specializes in providing a customizable platform for organizations to store and access their chosen standards.
Overall, both companies offer valuable and complementary features that can benefit different organizations depending on their needs. So, it is essential to carefully consider your organization’s specific needs when choosing between these two providers.
FAQs About Techstreet Alternatives
How reliable is Document Center?
Document Center has been in the industry for over 30 years and is a trusted provider of standards management services. Thousands of satisfied customers rely on their services to comply with industry regulations.
What types of documents are available through Document Center?
Document Center offers access to various documents, including industry codes and standards, government publications, military specifications and standards, international and non-U.S. standards, and other relevant compliance-related publications.
How does Document Center compare to other document management providers?
Document Center has been recognized for its strength in the medical devices industry and strongly focuses on quality control and compliance through its auditing and reporting services. While other providers may offer similar features, Document Center’s experience, expertise, and commitment to customer satisfaction set them apart.
Can Document Center help me manage my organization’s standards collection?
Yes, Document Center offers subscription management services to assist organizations in tracking updates, providing alerts, and obtaining hard copies or digital versions of needed standards. They also provide custom reports and auditing services to ensure the accuracy and completeness of standards collections.
