The “independent expert” – what does that even mean?
The “independent” bit is fairly easy – you cannot be independent of the organisation for whom you work. To be independent, you must work outside the organisation to whom you are making this claim. If you work for an organisation, there are just too many external forces at play (both overt and covert) to enable your views to be truly independent. While this is easy to say, it is often surprisingly difficult for people to accept this.
The “expert” bit is more difficult. We have all encountered the situation where we have contracted an “expert” who is just great – until things start to go wrong . . . Unfortunately, too often these days, if someone claims to be an expert, we almost instinctively disbelieve them!
The catch is, more and more often these days, we really do need experts. So how do we identify the real expert when we see one?
Since this is a big topic, let’s limit our discussion here to the area of compliance environmental monitoring.
Even limiting the discussion to this topic, there are many areas of expertise needed to adequately ensure the outcomes you require. Without going into detail, you will need expertise in various instrumentation types, not just how they work, but also knowing when to utilise each one and, just as importantly, when not to utilise each type. You also need to know where and how to install them and how to maintain and calibrate them in the field. You then need expertise in data collection, data transmission, data presentation, and data storage.
OK, so back to where we started; how do you identify this expert(s) when you see them?
To start with, there are at least two options:
- You identify an expert in each of the areas shown above and then you pull them together and manage the whole process yourself, or
- You identify an expert in the whole process and hand over all responsibility for the processes to them.
Let’s look at the pros and cons of each option:
- The big advantage of this option is that if you are someone who already has extensive knowledge and experience around monitor and sensor technologies together with data processing and you have the time to dedicate to these issues, you will be able to exercise real hands-on control of these important activities. The big disadvantage of course is that if you don’t have the time every day to devote to these tasks or if you don’t have the expertise to manage the multiple consultants/suppliers involved, you will quickly lose control. But perhaps the biggest issue is that the responsibility for the end result lies with you.
- By far the biggest advantage with this option is that once you have contracted such an organisation, your responsibilities and concerns are over. If something goes wrong, all you have to do is contact a single source and tell them to fix it. In fact, it should be even easier, because this organisation should be aware of any problems even before you are. So by the time you are aware of a problem, someone will already be fixing it.
OK, so now we know what type of expert you should be looking for, but we still haven’t answered the question; how to identify such an “independent expert” when you see them?
We will start by stating that Texcel is your trusted independent expert for compliance environmental monitoring. Now we will show you why this is the case.
We’ll start by addressing each part of the “trusted independent expert” statement:
- “Trusted”. Texcel has been trusted now for over 30 years – we couldn’t have survived this long if we weren’t trusted. A word of caution here – we will be obliged to report all your data – even those bits that you may not want reported. Remember, no person or organisation is perfect, so mistakes sometimes do happen. If we really do want to make things better (and that is Texcel’s objective), we must accept our mistakes and learn from them – not keep on repeating them. This is how to secure your reputation for integrity.
It is this principle that gave birth to the full-spectrum service options – Guardian by Texcel and 360 by Texcel.
- “Independent”. Texcel is 100% Australian and 100% owned by the Directors – we are totally independent of any other organisation.
- “Expert”. Texcel has designed and manufactured vibration and blast monitors for over 30 years – nobody understands more than we do about vibration monitor design, manufacture, field deployment, maintenance, and calibration. You simply can’t survive as an Australian manufacturer for over 30 years without being recognised as the best.
There are many people out there selling instrumentation of all types and sizes – almost none of them actually manufacture them. Many simply act as agents for other manufacturers while others cobble together bits of other manufacturer’s gear to provide what they believe meets your needs. They often have no more understanding of how it works than you do.
When we need to utilise other manufacturer’s equipment (sound level meters, dust monitors, etc), we purchase only from those manufacturers we know and trust. In this way we understand their capabilities and we have the technology to maintain and calibrate them. When necessary, we can also get customisations done for us.
Texcel now has years of experience with data retrieval, presentation and storage and we have created our own online portal (Nexus by Texcel) that provides our customers with a login to their real time data. We designed in the flexibility and security you expect.
Texcel also manufactures its own hardware that interfaces between the various monitor types and our online portal.
In other words, Texcel has demonstrated expertise in all phases of the process that collects your environmental data through to the graphical display of this data on your device of choice. If things go wrong anywhere in the chain, we know how to fix it – quickly.
Texcel really is your trusted independent expert.
What does this mean for you?
- You eliminate the stress and uncertainty of setting up and managing your own environmental monitoring systems.
- You can have absolute faith in the integrity of the displayed data.
- Equally, you can have absolute faith that you have all the data – not just the good bits.
- You don’t need specialist staff to manage your environmental data.
- You establish trust and confidence between your organisation and the authorities, your neighbours, and the general public.
