Most FDA-regulated companies have built into their quality processes auditing of their various vendors. And, of course, this can include vendors who provide translation and localization services.

While audits are usually quite time consuming for both the client company and the vendor, they provide an excellent opportunity for both to enhance their business partnership. Audits provide not only a view into the vendor's business practices, but also into the receiving end on the client side. Translation/localization companies who take advantage of this opportunity stand to gain a great deal in terms of their knowledge of their clients.

And, as with any good audit, the opportunity for improvements are often excellent. Client-specific audits, as opposed to more general ISO-type audits, allow a vendor to see what areas of their process might be enhanced to meet and exceed their client's business needs.

Excellent communication is key to a successful audit, especially prior to the audit. A good understanding of the expectations of all parties involved is the foundation for the audit being efficiently executed, and for meaningful results to be gained.

Please post any experiences you may have had, either on the client side or the vendor side, of client-to-vendor audits. Thank you!!