BSI Achieves Global IT Service Management Accreditation

July 21, 2008

RESTON, Va. , July 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Already an ISO/IEC 20000 certification market leader, BSI Management Systems has strengthened its position in the IT Service Management (ITSM) market by being independently accredited to deliver global certification against the best practice standard. BSI's accreditation has been granted by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service), the globally recognized accreditation body.

ISO/IEC 20000 replaced the world renowned British Standard BS 15000 in 2005 and has established itself as the premier international best practice standard for ITSM. Currently many organizations in numerous industries around the world are certified to ISO/IEC 20000. Now BSI can demonstrate that its ISO/IEC 20000 assessment and certification process meets the internationally accepted highest standards through the granting of this independent accreditation. BSI offers certification against the itSMF (IT Service Management Forum) scheme, and this accreditation enhances BSI's position as an itSMF approved certification body.

ISO/IEC 20000 was developed in order to meet the needs of the international IT services market and to provide a common understanding of the management of IT services worldwide. The standard comprises two parts: a Code of Practice and a Specification, and it is the latter that certification is offered against. ISO/IEC 20000 is fully compatible with the ITIL (IT Infrastructure Library) framework of best practice guidance for ITSM processes. There is clear evidence that achieving certification against the standard delivers real value -- whether it is demonstrating in-house quality or enabling the selection of suitable external partners; particularly significant with more IT services being outsourced.

"BSI Management Systems is proud to lead the international ISO/IEC 20000 certification market while promoting the principles of IT Service Management best practice -- an increasingly important discipline in the modern business world," said BSI Management Systems Managing Director Flemming Norklit . "We have been at the forefront of ISO/IEC 20000 certification, and now that we are able to offer a fully-accredited scheme, it shows our commitment in following the exacting standards for competency and impartiality laid down in the accreditation process." Mr. Norklit added, "We now hope more and more organizations follow the similarly high standards afforded by ISO/IEC 20000 certification."

About BSI Management Systems

BSI Management Systems is one of the world's largest certification bodies, with over 64,000 certified locations and clients in more than 120 countries. Operating through a global network, BSI Management Systems provides assessment, certification and training services in all critical areas of management disciplines including:

-- Business Continuity -- Environment -- Food Safety -- Health & Safety -- Information Security -- Integrated Management -- Quality -- Social Accountability -- Sustainable Development -- IT Service Management. For further information please visit http://www.bsigroup.com/managementsystems. [or local web address]

About BSI Group

BSI Management Systems is part of BSI Group, a global independent business services organization that inspires confidence and delivers assurance to customers with standards-based solutions. Originating as the world's first national standards body, the Group has over 2,300 staff in more than 50 global offices. The Group's key offerings are:

-- The development and sale of private, national and international standards and supporting information -- Second and third-party management systems assessment and certification -- Product testing and certification of services and products -- Performance management software solutions -- Training services in support of standards implementation and business best practice. For further information please visit http://www.bsigroup.com.

Notes to editors on ISO/IEC 20000:2005

ISO/IEC 20000 Part 1 "promotes the adoption of an integrated process approach to effectively deliver managed services to meet the business and customer requirements." It comprises ten sections: Scope; Terms & Definitions; Planning and Implementing Service Management; Requirements for a Management System; Planning & Implementing New or Changed Services; Service Delivery Process; Relationship Processes; Control Processes; Resolution Processes; and Release Process.

ISO/IEC 20000 Part 2 is a 'code of practice', and describes the best practices for service management within the scope of ISO/IEC 20000 Part 1. It comprises nine sections: Scope; Terms & Definitions; The Management System; Planning & Implementing Service Management; Service Delivery Processes; Relationship Processes; Resolution Processes; Control Processes; Release Management Processes.

Together, this set is the world's first standard for IT Service Management, and is fully compatible and supportive of the ITIL (IT Infrastructure Library) framework.

Media information Shereen Abuzobaa V.P. of Marketing Phone: 703-464-1931 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.bsiamerica.com

SOURCE BSI Management Systems

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