Xpand IT achieves IR&D certification

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Created on Monday, 17 October 2011 13:53

Xpand IT has been certified by the EIC (International Certification Company) by Standard NP4457: 2007 for the Research and Development of Innovative Solutions. Starting in March 2011, Xpand IT has been building a Research, Development and Innovation (IR&D) department from the ground up, with the objective of slowly shifting the horizon into productization. This was a very natural evolution from our XPAGILE project. Since then, everything has been set up, from the internal grounds for the innovation processes, innovation policies, internal creativity challenges and workshops to the department code name, which was baptized as the Xpand Labs. In order to achieve our department goal several engagements have been happening: forming partnerships with universities, integration with our own XPAGILE Software Development Center (SDC), as well as hiring dedicated resources to work in the innovation context.

All this work has been culminated with several audits done by EIC, which resulted in the portuguese NP4457:2007 norm accreditation. The NP4457:2007 norm states the minimum requirements for an innovation management system to be established by a company, on which Xpand IT's innovation system not only fulfills the minimum requirements but also integrates the whole system with the internal agile processes in a very seamless way.

Finally, the following positive feedback was given from the audit team in the final report:

The IR&D management system is fully integrated as a work tool in the company regular activities;
Top management is fully committed with the department objectives;
The broad range of knowledge shared within the knowledge base tool (Confluence) and how easy it is for users to reach it;
The company agile culture is fully reflected and integrated in the innovation development;

Xpand Labs is a young and modern unit that wants, through research, development and innovation, apply new features in a process of constant development and technological modernization. We intend to combine knowledge (market and technological) and innovation while implementing new processes, developing new products, responding competently to market dynamics and creating a competitive advantage and value.

Stay tuned, more news to come out of the Xpand IT's innovation corner very soon.