ATIS Managed Services: From Backlog to Compliance – Certificate Management for a National Retail Portfolio

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

When a major national retailer brought ATIS in to take control of elevator and escalator certificate compliance, they were facing a costly, high-risk situation: more than 250 open violations, expired certificates across dozens of stores, and no centralized system to manage resolution. With no clear ownership and inconsistent communication between corporate, store managers, and service providers, the process had stalled—putting stores at risk of fines, delayed openings, and unexpected shutdowns during peak shopping seasons.

ATIS implemented a retail-focused Certificate Management program built on accountability, centralized tracking, and proactive coordination with both vendors and store-level teams. In just seven months, ATIS closed 175 violations, improved certificate compliance by over 20%, and cut the average resolution time in half—transforming a reactive, risk-laden process into a streamlined, results-driven system that keeps stores open and customers moving.

Introduction

In retail, compliance isn’t just a regulatory checkbox—it’s critical to keeping stores operational, safe, and customer-ready. Multi-location portfolios face complex challenges: frequent vendor changes driven by competitive bidding, dispersed store management with varying levels of oversight, and differing inspection requirements across municipalities.

Without centralized tracking and clear accountability, violations can linger for months—or even years— creating regulatory risk, escalating costs, and disrupting operations. An expired elevator certificate can mean more than just a fine—it can mean closing a store entrance or escalator during high-traffic periods, damaging customer experience and sales.

ATIS’s Certificate Management program addresses these challenges head-on, providing technical expertise, clear ownership, and coordinated communication to keep every location inspection-ready yearround.

PROBLEM & SOLUTION

Problem Statement

When ATIS assumed responsibility for certificate management for this national retailer, the scope of the challenge was staggering. The 243-device portfolio had no single point of oversight, resulting in over 250 open violations, many well beyond acceptable timelines, and multiple expired certificates.

Communication breakdowns between vendors, inspectors, and store/corporate teams meant no clear process for resolving issues or tracking progress. The result was a stalled system—devices left out of compliance, stores exposed to operational interruptions, and the brand carrying unnecessary regulatory risk.

Solution Overview

ATIS implemented a retail-tailored Certificate Management strategy designed to restore control and eliminate compliance uncertainty. The engagement began with a complete audit of all devices, certificates, and violations, consolidating everything into a single, centralized tracking system accessible to stakeholders.

Every violation was assigned a clear owner, with ATIS acting as the central coordinator—bridging the gap between vendors, inspectors, and the client’s corporate and store-level teams. Frequent progress reports, proactive follow-ups, and regular coordination calls created consistent momentum. The shift was immediate: compliance management moved from reactive, crisis-driven problem-solving to a proactive, predictable process.

RESULTS

In the first seven months:

• 175 violations closed, cutting the backlog by more than two-thirds. 

• Certificate compliance improved by over 20% portfolio-wide. 

• Average resolution time cut in half, speeding store readiness and reducing operational risk. 

By taking full ownership of compliance management and driving alignment across all parties, ATIS turned a stagnant, risk-prone process into a disciplined, results-oriented certificate management program.

Conclusion

This case demonstrates the measurable value of centralized, retail-specific Certificate Management. By combining structured oversight, clear accountability, and consistent follow-through, ATIS helped this client eliminate years of accumulated backlog, improve compliance metrics, and reduce exposure to fines and store disruptions.

For large retail portfolios, the difference between a reactive compliance process and a structured program isn’t just efficiency—it’s the ability to keep stores open, safe, and focused on serving customers.

The ATIS Advantage

ATIS is the largest full-service vertical transportation management company in North America, managing over 100,000 devices and inspecting more than 100,000 elevators annually. Our comprehensive services include compliance management, maintenance oversight, capital planning, and asset lifecycle solutions—supported by industry-leading technology and a dedicated team of 85+ consultants. Clients rely on ATIS for full-service portfolio management, from scheduling and tracking to tailored consulting that addresses every stage of their equipment’s life.