Business Case: NextEdge Networks – Vendor Onboarding & Certification Tracking Challenges
Background & Challenges
NextEdge Networks, a telecommunications infrastructure provider, faced significant inefficiencies in vendor onboarding and compliance tracking due to fragmented processes and disconnected systems. Their reliance on multiple tools across different business units led to operational bottlenecks, compliance risks, and lack of visibility into critical safety data.
Key challenges included:
- Lack of a Cohesive Vendor Onboarding System – NextEdge used multiple, disconnected systems across its business units, resulting in inconsistent vendor onboarding experiences.
- No Connection Between Vendor Onboarding & Certification Tracking – The onboarding process was separate from the compliance process, making it difficult to track certifications, safety requirements, and approval statuses.
- SmartSheets' Limitations in Certification Approval – NextEdge relied on SmartSheets for certification tracking, but it did not provide a clear process for approving or rejecting certifications, leading to manual oversight issues.
- No Centralized Safety & Compliance Monitoring – The company needed a way to track OSHA logs, DART (Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred), EMR (Experience Modification Rate), and vendor safety data to enforce compliance during the onboarding process.
Solution: How USI & Unify.CMS Solved NextEdge's Challenges
USI provided NextEdge Networks with Unify.CMS, a fully integrated vendor management and compliance tracking solution that streamlined vendor onboarding, certification approvals, and safety data management.
One Unified System for Vendor Onboarding & Compliance
Unify.CMS replaced multiple disconnected systems with a centralized platform that managed vendor onboarding, compliance tracking, and certification validation in one place.
Seamless Connection Between Certification Uploads & Vendor Management
Now, when vendors upload certifications (e.g., OSHA training, COIs, NWSA), the system automatically ties them to the vendor's profile. This integration allows NextEdge to immediately place vendors or individual workers on safety hold if compliance requirements are not met.
Migration Off SmartSheets for Critical Business Functions
Unify.CMS replaced SmartSheets, providing a structured approval process for certification validation and reducing the need for manual oversight. Compliance managers can now approve or reject certifications directly within the platform.
Centralized Safety Data & Compliance Monitoring
The system now tracks OSHA logs, DART/EMR scores, and risk profiles, ensuring that NextEdge has a real-time view of vendor safety performance. Safety compliance is now directly tied to vendor onboarding, ensuring that high-risk vendors do not proceed until all safety criteria are met.
Results & Business Impact
With Unify.CMS, NextEdge Networks has achieved:
A Single Source of Truth
One unified system has eliminated inefficiencies and improved visibility across all business units.
Stronger Compliance Control
Vendors and team members can now be automatically placed on hold for missing safety documentation.
Improved Safety & Risk Management
OSHA logs, DART/EMR data, and vendor risk profiles are now integrated into onboarding and compliance workflows.
Faster Certification Approval Process
The company migrated off SmartSheets, reducing manual work and improving approval turnaround times.
Conclusion
By implementing Unify.CMS, USI provided NextEdge Networks with a fully integrated vendor onboarding and compliance tracking solution that streamlined certification approvals, enforced safety compliance, and eliminated redundant systems. This transformation has allowed NextEdge to enhance operational efficiency, mitigate compliance risks, and ensure seamless contractor onboarding. 🚀