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Check back often for the latest news and event information. This section is organized by year starting with the newest entries:

2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 |2001 | 2000 | 1999

2008

February 1, 2008 (Ottawa, Ontario)
CaseWare IDEA Celebrates flawless ISO 9001:2000 Certification Audit

Orion Canada is pleased to congratulate software development company, CaseWare IDEA Inc., on its recommendation for ISO 9001:2000 certification. The company passed its January 2008 initial certification audit without a single corrective action being raised by the auditor. CaseWare IDEA builds data analysis and audit software applications.

Orion Canada assists mission critical organizations to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness through the implementation of process and management best practices that positively impact the bottom-line. Orion Canada's expert consultants specialize in designing and implementing lean and measurable quality management systems. Its consultants hold the highest industry credentials as consultants, practitioners and auditors.

Orion Canada Inc. consultant Chris FitzGibbon (right), with the CaseWare IDEA management team and the BSI auditor (left).

2007

October 1, 2007 (Noordwijk, Netherlands)
Orion Canada Contributes to Successful Space Experiments

On September 26, 2007, the Russian Foton M3 capsule, with 43 experiments and 18 payloads onboard, landed safely in Kazakhstan after 12 days in orbit. Orion Canada performed quality assurance for the high profile eOSTEO research project. This key scientific research is aimed at eliminating bone density depletion associated with Osteoporosis and long term space flight. Additional information on the mission is available from the Canadian Space Agency: http://www.space.gc.ca/asc/eng/sciences/article_scco_eosteo.asp

September 15, 2007 (Ottawa, ON)
Orion Canada Welcomes New Clients

Orion Canada is pleased to welcome the following new clients to its long client list:

CaseWare IDEA (Ottawa, ON)
Rimon Therapeutics (Toronto, ON)
Gridpoint Systems (Kanata, ON)
Arnprior Aerospace (Arnprior, ON)

Orion Canada is a full service quality system consulting company servicing industry leaders throughout North America. Orion Canada delivers quality improvement consulting, process assessment and audits, quality system maintenance outsourcing, and customer satisfaction measurement services.

March 6, 2007 (Noordwijk, Netherlands)
Canadians Leaders in Space Research to Eliminate Human Bone Loss

Orion Canada is pleased to having been selected by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) as the preferred vendor of quality assurance services for its high profile eOSTEO research project. This key scientific research is aimed at eliminating bone density depletion associated with Osteoporosis and long term space flight.

The research, jointly sponsored by the CSA and European Space Agency (ESA), will fly aboard a Russian Foton M3 spacecraft in September 2007.

A successful simulation was performed on-site at ESA’s ESTEC science facility at Noordwijk, Netherlands, in March 2007. Six Orion Canada consultants provided quality assurance leadership throughout this exercise.

Orion Canada is a full service quality system consulting company servicing industry leaders throughout North America and beyond. Orion Canada delivers quality improvement consulting, process assessment and audits, quality system maintenance outsourcing, quality assurance and customer satisfaction measurement services.

Orion Canada consultants (front row: first four from right, back row: first and fourth from right) join scientific researchers and CSA and ESA managers after the simulated loading of research for space flight.

January 3, 2007 (Ottawa, ON)
Intera Engineering Achieves ISO 9001:2000 Certification

Orion Canada congratulates environmental engineering company, Intera Engineering, on their successful certification to ISO 9001:2000 from the British Standards Institute (BSI). The Ottawa-based company provides hydrogeological and related environmental engineering consulting services.

2006

December 1, 2006 (Ottawa, ON)
Orion Canada Moves Offices

Orion Canada has moved its corporate headquarters to a new location. The new mailing address is:

Suite 713
2446 Bank Street
Ottawa Ontario K1V 1A8
Canada

September 30, 2006 (Toronto, ON)
Airport Security Screeners Congratulated

Orion Canada extends congratulations to Aeroguard Group on its recent successful ISO 9001:2000 audit. Aeroguard Group is Canada’s premier provider of air passenger and baggage screening, delivering best-in-class security services at 23 airports across the country including Ottawa’s Macdonald-Cartier International Airport. Orion Canada Inc. provided consulting and training aimed at achieving measurable improvement to front line operations and customer service. The company is certified to ISO 9001:2000 by NSF International Strategic Registrations Ltd..

July 31, 2006 (Ottawa, ON)
Orion Canada Welcomes New Clients

Orion Canada is pleased to welcome the following new clients to its long client list:

Aeroguard Security (Toronto, ON)
Canadian Business Aviation Association (Ottawa, ON)
General Dynamics Canada (Ottawa, ON)
Intera Engineering Inc. (Ottawa, ON)
SENES Consulting Ltd. (Richmond Hill, ON)

February 25, 2006 (Atlanta, GA)
Orion Canada Congratulates BellSouth on a Flawless Certification Audit

Orion Canada Inc. is very pleased to congratulate Atlanta-based telecommunications company BellSouth (NYSE-BLS) on its flawless ISO 9001:2000 certification audit. The comprehensive quality management audit included assessment of BellSouth's business product development, professional services and managed services. It was performed by Lloyd's Register (www.lrqa.com), an accredited ISO 9001:2000 certification body. Remarkably, although not unprecedented among Orion Canada clients, not a single corrective action was raised during the audit.

BellSouth Corporation is a Fortune 500 communications company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Backed by award-winning customer service, BellSouth offers the most comprehensive and innovative package of voice and data services available in the market. For businesses, BellSouth provides secure, reliable local and long distance voice and data networking solutions.
Orion Canada is a full service quality system consulting company servicing industry leaders throughout North America. Orion Canada delivers quality improvement consulting, process assessment and audits, quality system maintenance outsourcing, and customer satisfaction measurement services.

2005

November 22, 2005 (Toronto, ON):
Biosign Technologies Certified to ISO 13485

Following its flawless initial audit in October 2005, Biosign Technologies Inc. (www.biosign.com) was recommended for ISO 13485:2003, ISO 9001:2000, European Directive 93/42/EEC Annex II and Health Canada's Canadian Medical Device Regulations. The Toronto company designs an advanced web-based digital instrument that generates and stores a variety of vital signs from a single reading of arterial pulse. Attaining certification is essential to the company selling its products.

Orion Canada congratulates Biosign Technologies on reaching this significant milestone.

Orion Canada Inc. consultant Chris FitzGibbon (left), with SGS auditor Charlie Valentine (center), joining some Biosign Technologies staff after the intense certification audit.

November 22, 2005 (Ottawa, ON)
Galazar Networks Celebrates it's ISO 9001:2000 Certification

Orion Canada is pleased to congratulate semi-conductor manufacturer, Galazar Networks Inc., on its recommendation for ISO 9001:2000 certification. The company passed its October 2005 initial certification audit without a single corrective action being raised by its audit. Galazar is a leading supplier of framer and mapper semiconductor solutions focused on Ethernet over SONET/SDH (EoS), Storage Area Networking (SAN) and Multi-Service datacom and telecom applications.

Orion Canada Inc. consultant Chris FitzGibbon (right), with Galazar CEO Richard Deboer, QMI auditor John Keveyuh, and Galazar Quality Manager Michelle Landriault (left).

August 30, 2005 (Kanata, ON)
March Healthcare Achieves ISO 13485:2003 Certification
March Healthcare (www.marchhealthcare.com), a wholly owned subsidiary of March Networks Corporation, develops next generation eHealth applications. Orion Canada is pleased to congratulate their client on achieving certification to the international quality standard for medical devices: ISO 13485:2003.

Orion Canada specializes in designing lean and efficient management systems for mission critical organizations. Its certified consultants and auditors have worked with clients throughout North America seeking a competitive edge or regulatory compliance. Orion Canada delivers quality improvement consulting, process assessment and audits, quality system maintenance outsourcing, and customer satisfaction measurement services.

April 27, 2005 (Almonte, ON)
Advanced Bioelectric Certified to Medical Device Standards

Orion Canada client, Advanced Bioelectric (www.advancedbioelectric.com), has been certified to the highest quality standards in the industry.

The Canadian biomedical products company designs and manufactures leading-edge cardiac monitoring electrode technology that is changing how electro-cardiography (ECG) is detected. Orion Canada assisted Advanced Bioelectric to achieve compliance and certification to ISO 9001:2000, ISO 13485:2003, European Directive 93/42/EEC Annex II and Health Canada's Canadian Medical Device Regulations. The company has facilities in Almonte Ontario and Aylmer Quebec.

April 4, 2005 (Ottawa, ON)
March Networks Celebrates ISO 9001:2000 Certification

Orion Canada is pleased to congratulate their client, March Networks (www.marchnetworks.com), on successfully achieving ISO 9001:2000 certification. The internationally recognized standard represents the requirements and best practices for a well managed organization.

“Achieving ISO certification is an important milestone for March Networks and is another step toward establishing the Company as a leader in the security industry,” states Peter Strom, president and CEO. “As an all-encompassing perspective for the Company, the ISO certification provides us a solid framework of scalable and measurable processes to ensure our commitment to customer satisfaction and product quality.”

March Networks is a leading provider of Internet Protocol (IP)-based digital video surveillance solutions focused on the security industry.

April 4, 2005 (Ottawa, ON)
Orion Canada Welcomes New Clients

Orion Canada is pleased to welcome the following new clients to its long client list:

Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA)
Tyco Healthcare
March Healthcare

January 25, 2005 (Montreal, QC)
Orion Canada Congratulates PHD Medical on Flawless Certification Audit

Orion Canada Inc. is very pleased to congratulate Montreal-based PHD Medical Inc. (www.phdmedical.com) on their flawless certification audit to the strictest international medical device standards. The audit was performed by Geneva-based SGS (www.sgs.com), one of the world's foremost independent and accredited authorities on international medical device regulations and standards. The audit verified compliance to the highest quality standards in the industry, including ISO 9001:2000, ISO 13485:2003, European Directive 93/42/EEC Annex II and Health Canada's Canadian Medical Device Regulations. The auditors recommended certification.

Following the audit, Joe FitzGibbon, Orion Canada President and lead medical device consultant to PHD Medical commented, "This milestone is an achievement all staff and management at PHD Medical can truly be proud of. Under tight deadlines and a heavy workload, the entire team worked tirelessly to get this job done, in perfect order no less."

Remarkably, although not unprecedented among Orion Canada clients, not a single corrective action was raised during the audit.

PHD Medical (www.phdmedical.com) designs and develops portable diagnostic devices for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) that allow pediatricians to test and evaluate their patients for OSA without the need of lab-based polysomnography. Additional information on their services is available at www.mychildsnores.com and www.etrending.com.

Orion Canada Inc. is a full service quality system consulting company servicing industry leaders throughout North America. Orion Canada Inc. delivers quality improvement consulting, process assessment and audits, quality system maintenance outsourcing, and customer satisfaction measurement services.

2004

November 2004 (Ottawa, ON)
Orion Canada Presents to Quality Professionals in Ottawa

Before an audience of quality professionals in Ottawa, Orion Canada Inc. consultants Stephen Davies and Chris FitzGibbon shared their approach and some tools used to achieve short term, high impact and measurable process improvement during a recent consulting assignment with Canadian peace keeping operations in Afghanistan and Bosnia. The presentations were to the Ottawa chapters of the American Society for Quality - Canada (ASQ-Canada) and the Canadian Public Service Quality Association. Additional information on these organizations is available at www.asqottawa.ca and www.cpsqa.ca.
The presentation is available for download: "Quality Improvement in Hostile Environments".

August 3, 2004 (Ottawa, ON)
Orion Canada to Share Experiences on it's Work in Afghanistan

Orion Canada Inc. consultants Stephen Davies and Chris FitzGibbon will present to the Ottawa chapter of the American Society for Quality - Canada (ASQ-Canada) on November 9, 2004 and the Canadian Public Service Quality Association on November 24, 2004. The presentation, entitled "Process Improvement in Challenging Environments" will summarize the short term, high impact successes achieved during a recent consulting assignment with Canadian peace keeping operations in Afghanistan and Bosnia. Additional information on this meeting is available at www.asqottawa.ca and www.cpsqa.ca.

July 19, 2004 (Ottawa, ON)
Orion Canada Selected to Train the Public Service

The Canada School of the Public Service (CSPS) has selected Orion Canada Inc. for course design & development and instruction. Ottawa-based Orion Canada will provide CSPS with certified consultants and professional trainers with the subject matter expertise to develop and deliver world class process improvement, quality management and business excellence courses for public service participants.

Orion Canada assists organizations to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness through the implementation of process and management best practices that positively impact the bottom-line. Orion Canada's expert consultants specialize in process audit & assessment, design and implementation of lean and measurable quality management systems, quality system maintenance outsourcing, and performance measurement.

July 12, 2004 (Ottawa, ON)
Orion Canada Congratulates clients on Recent Milestones

Orion Canada is pleased to congratulate Canbreal Therodiagnostics International Inc. (Ottawa, Ontario) on achieving ISO 13485:2003 registration. The management and staff of Canbreal are deserving of credit for this significant accomplishment.

June 25, 2004
Orion Canada Welcomes New Clients

Orion Canada is pleased to welcome two new medical device manufacturers to its long client list:

PHD Medical (Montreal, Quebec)
Advanced Bioelectric (Almonte, Ontario)

Orion Canada is Canada's leading consultancy on ISO 13485:2003 and other medical device standards and regulations.

April 10, 2004 (Ottawa, ON)
Orion Canada Completes Successful Mission to Afghanistan

Orion Canada Inc. is pleased to announce the completion of its onsite engagement at the Canadian Forces base in Kabul, Afghanistan. Orion Canada specializes in operational efficiency and process improvement, and was engaged through Department of National Defence (DND) contractor SNC Lavalin PAE to assist with the performance and quality improvement of Canadian peace keeping operations in overseas theatres.

Orion Canada consultant, Stephen Davies (center rear), presenting
to personnel at Camp Julien in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Camp Julien is the main base for Canadian troops serving with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Kabul.

March 15, 2004 (San Diego, CA)
Orion Canada Headlines Medical Device Conference

Joe FitzGibbon, a recognized authority on medical device quality system requirements, has been invited by The Management Roundtable and the FDA News to present a comprehensive workshop at the Quality in Device Manufacturing: The New Global Profit Center conference in San Diego, California. The workshop on March 30th, 2004, will provide participants with critical information on developing quality systems to adhere to the FDA Quality System Regulations, Canada's Medical Device Regulations and ISO and E.U. standards. The presentation also examines the relationship of these requirements and best practices for compliance.

Registration for the two day conference (March 30 - 31, 2004) may be made by phone (800-338-2223) or at the Roundtable website: www.roundtable.com/md.html.

Orion Canada is recognized as a leader in designing, implementing and assessing medical device quality systems. Joe FitzGibbon is President of Orion Canada Inc. and the author of Quality System Requirements for Medical Devices (Industry Canada, 2001).

March 9, 2004 (Ottawa, ON)
Orion Canada to Assist Canadian Peace Keepers in Afghanistan and Bosnia

Orion Canada Inc. has been awarded a contract to assist with the performance and quality improvement of Canadian peace keeping operations in Kabul, Afghanistan and Bosnia. The contract, through Department of National Defence (DND) contractor SNC Lavalin PAE involves the deployment of Orion Canada consultants to the two theatres in April 2004.

March 8, 2004
Orion Canada Welcomes New Clients
Orion Canada is pleased to welcome several recent organizations to its long client list:

March Networks (Kanata, Ontario)
Galazar Networks (Ottawa, Ontario)
Department of Transport - Rail Safety (Ottawa, Ontario)
SNC Lavalin PAE Inc. (Kingston, Ontario)
Canbreal Therodiagnostics International Inc. (Ottawa, Ontario)
Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

March 1, 2004
Orion Canada Congratulates Clients on Recent Milestones

Orion Canada is pleased to congratulate Capital Box and Fugro Airborne Surveys on achieving ISO 9001:2000 registration. The leadership position that both organizations hold in their respective industries was validated by their exemplary performance during their flawless ISO 9001:2000 audits. The management and staff of Capital Box and Fugro Airborne Surveys are deserving of credit for this significant accomplishment.

February 16, 2004
Welcome Orion Canada Associate Stephen Davies

Orion Canada is pleased to introduce its newest associate: Stephen Davies. Stephen M.Sc., AIQA, CQMgr brings years of operations expertise (Supply Chain, Lean Systems, Industrial Engineering, Forecasting, Planning, Materials Management and Inventory Management) in addition to quality improvement skills (Quality Systems, Standards, Tools, Methodologies and Auditing). Stephen will assist Orion Canada clients to demonstrate measurable bottom-line improvements through efficiency improvement. He may be contacted at our downtown Ottawa office at (613) 563-9000 or through email stephen@orioncanada.com.

January 5, 2004 (Ottawa, ON)
2003 A Record Year for Orion Canada Inc.

Orion Canada Inc. completed 2003 with record revenue and client growth. From its headquarters in downtown Ottawa Ontario, Orion Canada consultants served clients throughout North America. In 2003, Orion Canada consultants served clients in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, Boston, Atlanta, New York, Washington, Philadelphia, and several other centers. The consultancy designs, implements and assesses performance and quality improvement strategies for the medical device, software/IT/technology, manufacturing and service industries.

Orion Canada thanks all of its clients for a record 2003 and wishes them a safe and prosperous 2004.

2003

December 3, 2003 (Atlanta, GA)
Bell South Communication Systems Acquires Services

Orion Canada consultants have been engaged by Bell South Communication Systems (BCS) to provide quality management improvement services to the Atlanta-based provider or voice and data communication solutions for businesses in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and North & South Carolina. Orion Canada specializes in assisting technology companies to improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness performance through process improvement and best practice models. In the last year, Orion Canada consultants have assisted more than 50 leading technology companies to improved performance.

October 8, 2003 (Kanata, ON)
Veteran Consultant Addresses Semiconductor Interest Group

Orion Canada consultant Chris FitzGibbon presented "Developing an ISO 9001 Management System on a Shoe String Budget" to the Semiconductor Special Interest Group of the Ottawa Manufacturers Network (OMN). Orion Canada specializes in assisting technology companies to improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness performance through process improvement and best practice models.

The purpose of the Semiconductor Special Interest Group is to provide a collaboration and networking forum for industry professionals involved in Semiconductor Operations’ activities such as technology selection, supply chain management, logistics, test and packaging, quality and reliability, etc.

September 9, 2003 (Ottawa, ON)
ISO 9001:2000 Leaders Present to America Society for Quality

Orion Canada consultant Chris FitzGibbon addressed the American Society for Quality (ASQ) in Ottawa. The presentation provided advice on transitioning to ISO 9001:2000. The deadline for transitioning from ISO 9000:1994 to the ISO 9001:2000 standard is December 15, 2003.

In December 2000, two Orion Canada clients became the first organizations in North America to achieve ISO 9001:2000 registration from an accredited registrar. In May 2003, Chris FitzGibbon was presented the prestigious Feigenbaum Medal in recognition of outstanding characteristics of leadership, professionalism, and potential in the field of quality through achievement of significant benefit to mankind.

June 26, 2003 (Ottawa, ON)
Orion Canada Presentation to the Ottawa Software Industry

At the request of the Ottawa Software Quality Association, Orion Canada consultant Chris FitzGibbon presented to software professionals on getting measurable value from an ISO 9001:2000-based software development methodology. The presentation also examined the ISO 9001:2000 lessons learned that are unique to the software industry.

Orion Canada is recognized as a leader in designing, implementing and assessing software development practices. Chris FitzGibbon has performed hundreds of software process audits and assessments, including regulatory audits of mission critical and medical device software applications. He is the author of ISO 9001 Registration for Small and Medium Sized Software Enterprises (McGill-Queens Press, 1995) and several articles based on research on software process improvement practices.

May 19, 2003 (Kansas City, MO)
Feigenbaum Medal Recipient Pays Tribute to Space Shuttle Victims at American Quality Congress

Orion Canada consultant Chris FitzGibbon addressed the American Society for Quality (ASQ) at the organizations Annual Quality Congress (AQC) today while accepting the prestigious 2002 Armand V. Feigenbaum Medal. The Feigenbaum Medal is awarded in recognition of outstanding characteristics of leadership, professionalism, and potential in the field of quality through achievement of significant benefit to mankind.

During the acceptance speech, Chris recognized contributors to his success. He also referenced his recent experiences with NASA's space shuttle program and dedicated the medal to those who perished aboard STS-107 and those who will work to ensure the tragedy is never repeated. The full text of the speech is available on the ASQ's website:
http://www.asq.org/join/about/awards/2003recipients/fitzgibbon.html

Chris FitzGibbon with Feigenbaum Medal's namesake: Dr. Armand V. Feigenbaum

March 3, 2003
Orion Canada Consultant Nominated for Prestigious Feigenbaum Medal

Orion Canada is pleased to announce that Chris FitzGibbon, a lead consultant and a company co-founder, has been nominated for the prestigious Armand V. Feigenbaum Medal. The medal recognizes accomplishments and potential in quality.

February 1, 2003
Orion Canada Statement Regarding Space Shuttle Columbia Tragedy

Orion Canada expresses its deepest sympathies to the families of the seven astronauts who perished aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia.

It was two weeks earlier, on January 16, 2003, that Orion Canada personnel watched the launch of STS-107 along side the families of the astronauts at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Aboard the shuttle were approximately 80 scientific experiments, two of which Orion Canada Inc. had been extensively involved: the OSTEO and ERISTO experiments on the impact of microgravity on bone density.

The seven astronauts risked their lives for science and the betterment of mankind. They were heroes. May they rest in peace.

January 16, 2003
Orion Canada Contributes to Payload on Space Shuttle Columbia

Orion Canada was part of a Canadian Space Agency and European Space Agency team that has placed scientific experiments on the Space Shuttle Columbia STS-107.

The Orion Canada team of 8 consultants provided QA services on projects investigating the impact of microgravity on bone density.

January 2003
Space Shuttle Columbia Preparing for STS-107

Orion Canada consultants are providing expert-level quality assurance for experiments that are being prepared for the launch of STS-107 on January 16, 2003. An Orion Canada team of eight consultants are working at various locations throughout North America, including onsite at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Once all aspects of each experiment are complete, Orion Canada consultants will fly the experiments on private jet directly to the Kennedy Space Center where they will be joined by the four other experiments for immediate loading to the Space Shuttle payload.

2002

December 2002
Medical Device Course Offered in Toronto - January 29-30th, 2003

Orion Canada Inc., the leader in quality system design and implementation for medical device manufacturers, has partnered with CanReg, global regulatory affairs consultants, to offer the medical device industry a comprehensive and practical course on medical device quality system regulations.

This course focuses on the practical "how-to" knowledge required to successfully design and implement a quality system for a medical device manufacturer selling product in Canada, the United Stated or the European Union. It will also be among the first courses to review the content of the draft DIS/ISO 13485:2003 standard.

The 2 day course "Regulatory Compliance for Medical Device Quality Systems" will be held on January 29-30th, 2003 in Holiday Inn Select - Toronto Airport. Contact Orion Canada to register.

December 2002
OrbitIQ Selects Orion Canada as Strategic Partner

Orion Canada is pleased to be partnered with OrbitIQ (www.orbitiq.com), a strategic alliance of industry leading players based in the U.S and Canada, and globally connected. OrbitIQ has created a new business model built around a North American wide channel and market excellence, aimed at helping companies that are struggling to get their product to market because of shortage of sales support or channel coverage.

Many companies with innovative products spend excessive time on product development and overlook the fact that products need to be marketed, sold, and converted to cash. OrbitIQ personnel augment the sales and marketing effort of these companies and accelerate product traction through maximum market penetration in the shortest time frame.

OrbitIQ has have built a set of strategically placed teams (the most notable in New York), that have very high level interfaces into key market sectors. The two target markets are Enterprise, especially the Financial Services vertical and telecomm companies (particularly wireless apps). Orion Canada joins this alliance as the experts in management and quality system design and implementation.

October 2002
Orion Canada Welcomes New Clients

Orion Canada's experience, depth and successful track record have propelled significant growth in 2002. Orion Canada's expertise with TL9000, ISO 13485, CMDCAS, SEI CMM and ISO 9001:2000 has distinguish the Ottawa-based consulting company as an industry leader. Orion Canada is pleased to welcome its newest clients:

JDS Uniphase (Ottawa)
Fugro Airborne (Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal)
BioSign (Toronto)
American Bio Medical (Albany, NY)
Syndesis (Markham, Ottawa)

September 2002
Orion Canada Clients Achieve Goals

Several of Orion Canada's clients have recently achieved significant certification milestones:

Orion Canada clients Lincien College (www.LincienCollege.com), Gilmore Global Logistics, and Doculink International (www.doculink.com) have become industry leaders by achieving ISO 9001:2000 certification. Less than 10% of ISO 900x:1994 have upgrade to the new standard.

NuMED (US) and NuMED Canada have each been registered to ISO 9001:2000, ISO 13485 and CMDCAS.

Through its validated design methodology, Orion Canada has distinguished itself as the leader in designing, implementing and assessing ISO 9001:2000, TL 9000, ISO 13485, EN46000, MD 93/42/EEC and CMDCAS quality systems.

February 2002
Welcome Andrew Meldrum, Orion Canada's New Director of Business Development

Orion Canada is pleased to introduce Andrew Meldrum as its Director of Business Development. Andrew brings years of project management experience at Nortel Networks and Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) to the Orion Canada team. He will work to build new relationships with organizations committed to improving their efficiency, effectiveness and customer satisfaction. Andrew may be contacted at our downtown Ottawa office at (613) 563-9000 or through email andrew@orioncanada.com.

January 2002
Orion Canada Welcome's New Clients

Orion Canada is pleased to begin the new year by welcoming three new companies to its long client list of medical device manufactures:

Canica (Almonte)
BJM Optics (Vancouver)
eFilm Medical Inc. (Toronto)

CR Wall (Brockville), an Orion Canada client that achieved ISO 9001:2000 registration in May, has signed a new contract for Orion Canada to perform independent client satisfaction measurement. And, the highly respected Oxford Consulting Company (Ottawa) has engaged Orion Canada to provide quality improvement consulting to its clients.

January 2002
Orion Canada Presents at ASQ in Ottawa

Joe FitzGibbon of Orion Canada addressed the Ottawa Valley Chapter of the American Society for Quality (ASQ) on January 15, 2002. The presentation provided an overview of the quality system requirements facing medical device manufacturers doing business in Canada, the United States and Europe. Orion Canada has made the presentation available through its website in Acrobat Reader (pdf) format: Medical Device Quality Requirements - ASQ Jan 02.pdf

2001

September 2001
Two More Orion Canada Clients Registered to ISO 9001

Orion Canada Inc. extends congratulations to two more of its clients who were successfully registered to ISO 9000 in September. Halifax-based medical device manufacturer Biomedica Diagnostics and Ottawa-based Commercial Printing both passed audits without incurring any corrective action requests or nonconformities.

June 2001
Orion Canada Announces a Partnership with the CPSQA

Orion Canada Inc. has entered a strategic alliance with the Canadian Public Service Quality Association (CPSQA). The intent of the alliance is to raise Orion Canada's profile among CPSQA members. The Ottawa-based consulting company will also host and maintain the CPSQA website: www.orioncanada.com/cpsqa.

Orion Canada consultants have worked on several successful quality-related projects for government organizations, including: Treasury Board Secretariat, Fisheries & Oceans, Department of National Defence, Department of Foreign Affairs, the Canadian Space Agency, and Public Works and Government Services Canada.

May 2001
Another Orion Canada Client Achieves ISO 9001:2000 Certification

Orion Canada Inc. is pleased to announce another client that has achieved certification to ISO 9001:2000. C.R. Wall & Co. Ltd. of Brockville, Ontario engaged Orion Canada in November 2000 to assist it to implement an efficient quality system. The culmination of this effort was the successful registration audit. Congratulations to C.R. Wall and all of its staff who made this effort possible.

Orion Canada Inc. is Canada's leading quality system consulting firm specializing in government, IT and the biotechnology/medical device industries.

March 2001
Orion Canada Completes 2001 Guide to Medical Device Quality System Requirements

Ottawa-based consulting firm, Orion Canada Inc., continues to be distinguished as Canada's leader in quality system consulting. On March 30, 2001, Industry Canada published Orion Canada's 2001 Quality System Requirements for Medical Devices. Previous editions of this publication have been used by hundreds of companies in Canada and abroad to identify the quality system requirements for the sale and export of medical devices to Europe, the United States and Canada. The 158 page publication is available FREE to medical device companies.
Contact Joe FitzGibbon for more information:

Tel: (613) 563-9000
Fax: (613) 563-9002
Email: joe@orioncanada.com

March 2001
Orion Canada Participates in European Space Agency Research Projects

Orion Canada is pleased to have provided process management and quality assurance services for a research project on the impact of weightlessness on bone density. In February and March 2001, the leading edge experiment was performed at the European Space Agency (ESA) research facility in Holland by scientists from Italy and France. Orion Canada produced detailed scientific procedures and managed the integrity of the process. The objective of the project is to eventually discover a treatment or cure for Osteoporosis.
An Orion Canada team of 5 quality assurance professionals is participating in ongoing research projects in Europe and Canada. The Canadian research projects are sponsored by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). A NASA space shuttle mission in January 2003 will be used to perform the experiments in a weightless environment.

Orion Canada QA professional, Sylvie Guilbeault (left), with scientists from France in the ERISTO laboratory at the ESA's research facility in Holland.

January 2001
Cisco Systems Uses Orion Canada for Channel Quality Support

Cisco Systems (San Jose, CA), a leader in internet and networking solutions, has chosen Orion Canada Inc. consultants to provide value-added process assessments to channel partners throughout North America. Orion Canada employs two Cisco Certified Auditors.

2000

December 2000
Another Orion Canada Client Certified to ISO 9001:2000
Orion Canada is pleased to announce that another of its clients has passed its ISO 9001:2000 audit and is now registered to the new standard. WorldReach Software Corporation (www.worldreachsoftware.com), develops software products for international travellers and case management. Its software is used in more than 130 countries. Orion Canada has expertise in software quality and includes many high tech companies among its clients.

December 15, 2000
Orion Canada Helps Ottawa Company Become the First to be ISO 9001:2000 Certified

AMITA Corporation, has become the first organization in North America to be officially certified to the new ISO 9001:2000 standard. The certificate was presented to the software consulting services company on December 15, 2000 by the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB). The ISO 9001:2000 standard is the most anticipated business standard in history.
Orion Canada provides quality management services to AMITA and was responsible for managing the upgrade of the company's quality system to the new ISO 9001:2000 standard.

On December 15, 2000, AMITA became the first company in North America to be certified to the new ISO 9001:2000 standard. From left to right, Joe FitzGibbon (President, Orion Canada Inc.), holding the ISO 9001:2000 certificate is Monica Preston (President, AMITA Corporation), and Chris FitzGibbon (Software Quality Consultant, Orion Canada Inc.).

View Press Release.

December 2000
ISO 9001:2000 Published

The most anticipated business standard in history was published on on December 15, 2000. Members of the ISO Technical Committee ISO/TC 176 overwhelmingly approved the release of ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management Systems - Requirements. Only minor editorial corrections were made to the FDIS version. Some definitions relating audits were also modified in the vocabulary section of ISO 9000:2000 Quality Management Systems - Fundamentals and Vocabulary.

Orion Canada Inc. has established a leadership position with the ISO 9001:2000 standards. Several Orion Canada clients are implementing or upgrading their quality systems to the new standard. The experiences of one Orion Canada client are featured in the August 2000 issue of the Capital Quality News and the upcoming issue of Calibre, a publication by the Canadian General Standards Board.

August 2000
Orion Canada Teams with the Ottawa Business Journal

Orion Canada is pleased to announce the launch of a promotion strategy which includes advertisements in Ottawa's premiere business weekly publication, the Ottawa Business Journal. The campaign will continue until mid-September.

June 2000
Congratulations Thomson Nielsen!

Orion Canada Inc. is pleased to extend congratulations to its client, Thomson Nielsen, on their recent certification audit. On June 14, 2000, Thomson Nielsen was recommended for registration to ISO 9001, ISO 13485, EN 46001, and CE Mark.

Thomson Nielsen is an internationally recognized leader in the development and manufacture of radiation measurement devices. Orion Canada assisted the company in designing and developing their Quality System to comply with the applicable medical device standards as well as the US FDA Quality System Regulation and Health Canada's Medical Devices Regulations.

Orion Canada is Canada's leader in designing quality systems for medical devices companies.

May 2000
Orion Canada Client the First to be Assessed to ISO 9001:2000 in Canada

On May 30, 2000, an Orion Canada Inc. client, AMITA Corporation, was the first organization in Canada to have compliance to ISO 9001:2000 assessed during an audit by the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB). Orion Canada has assisted AMITA Corporation to fully implement the requirements of latest draft of ISO 9001:2000. Official recognition through a registration certificate to ISO 9001:2000 is not possible until the official publication of the standard late in 2000.

Orion Canada assists organizations to implement strategies for quality improvement and management excellence.

March 2000
Orion Client Complies to ISO 9001:2000

Orion Canada Inc. is pleased to announce the compliance of one of its clients to the DIS/ISO 9001:2000 standard. AMITA Corporation, providers of frontline software solutions used in more than 130 countries, has fully implemented the requirements of latest draft of ISO 9001:2000 and the company is scheduled to be among the first software companies in Canada to be audited against the new standard. Official recognition by the quality registrar is not possible until the official publication of the standard late in 2000.
Orion Canada assists organizations to implement strategies for quality improvement and management excellence.

November 1999
Orion Canada Change of Address

Orion Canada Inc. has changed its postal address to:

Suite 509
180 Metcalfe Street
Ottawa, Ontario K2P 1P5

The company is also pleased to announce its new website address: www.orioncanada.com

1999

November 1999
NuMED Canada Benefits from World-Class Quality

NuMED Canada, a medical device manufacturer in Cornwall, Ontario, has successfully re-registered their quality system to the ISO 9002, EN 46002 and ISO 13485 standards. Orion Canada Inc. has worked with NuMED Canada since 1995 to design, implement and maintain a business-friendly quality system that will withstand the scrutiny of the strict medical device quality standards. Originally registered to ISO 9002 in 1996, NuMED Canada underwent a complete re-audit of their quality system as part of the 3 year registration cycle. Congratulations!

July 1999
Reliable Plating Achieves Quality Milestone

Reliable Plating, a specialist in the metal plating industry, has achieved a milestone in its journey toward continuous quality improvement and customer satisfaction. In mid-July, the company was highly successful in its inaugural ISO 9002 registration audit. Reliable Plating has implemented an innovative and user friendly quality system to serve its needs and those of its customers. Orion Canada Inc. would like to congratulate its client, Reliable Plating, and all of its staff on this significant achievement!

May 1999
Tri-Graphics Earns ISO 9002

Another Orion Canada Inc. client has passed their ISO 9002 registration audit. Tri-Graphics Printing, a leader in Canada's book publishing industry, is the sixth Orion Canada client to successfully achieve ISO 9000 registration in the last year. Congratulations to Tri-Graphics and their staff on this great achievement!

April 1999
Congratulations to Doculink International

Orion Canada Inc. would like to congratulate Doculink International on their overwhelmingly successful ISO 9002 registration audit in March 1999. All of the hard work and dedication staff of the electronic and printing company paid off: no corrective actions or observations were identified during the audit.

MAJOR CHANGES IN REDESIGNED ISO 9001
In 2000, the International Organization for Standardization releases the replacement for ISO 9001: 1994. The revised standard has undergone extensively revisions. All ISO 9000 registration holders are expected to update their quality system to the new standard, usually within a year of its release. Orion Canada Inc. can assist your organization in proactively updating your quality system. Visit Orion Canada's ISO 9000: 2000 web page describing the forthcoming standard, the highlights and the contents of the revised standard.

Orion Canada Offers 3 New Workshops

Among its 1999 training offerings, Orion Canada Inc. is pleased to announce three new workshops:

CE Mark Certification for Medical Devices And Diagnostics: Practical Steps to Putting Your Product on the European Market

Introductory Workshop on ISO 9000 (2000): Impact of the Revised Standard
Customer Value Management: Focusing Your Organization on Satisfying Customer Needs

Orion Canada also offers customized courses and workshops for Management, ISO Coordinators, Internal Auditors, the Quality Management Committee and the Staff. Contact us for more information and prices.

Reference Guide Now Available for Medical Device Companies

A reference guide detailing the medical device quality system requirements for Canada, the U.S. and the European Union is now available! This 200+ page guide was researched and written by Orion Canada Inc. for Industry Canada. Contact Joe FitzGibbon for more information.

Orion Canada Opens Downtown Ottawa Office

Orion Canada Inc. recently opened an office on Metcalfe Street in downtown Ottawa. The new telephone number is: (613) 563-9000 and the fax is (613) 563-9002.

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