From Backlog to Compliance – Certificate Management for a National Retail Portfolio
Our client, a leading national department store retailer, faced a complex operational challenge with its vertical transportation: more than 250 open elevator and escalator violations, expired certificates across dozens of stores, and no centralized system to manage resolution.
We implemented a retail-focused certificate management program built on accountability, centralized tracking, and proactive coordination with both maintenance vendors and store-level teams. In just seven months, we closed 175 violations, improved certificate compliance by more than 20%, and cut the average resolution time in half—transforming reactive asset management into a streamlined, results-driven system that keeps stores open and customers moving.
Challenge and Opportunity
In retail, elevator and escalator compliance isn’t just a regulatory checkbox, it’s critical to keeping stores operational, safe, and customer-ready. Multi-location portfolios like our client’s face complex challenges: frequent vendor changes driven by competitive bidding, dispersed facilities management with varying levels of oversight, and differing inspection requirements across jurisdictions.
Without centralized tracking and clear accountability, violations can linger for months—or even years— creating regulatory risk, escalating costs, and disrupting store operations. An expired elevator certificate can mean more than just a fine, it can mean closing a store during high-traffic periods, negatively impacting the brand, and curbing sales.
The scope of the challenge was staggering. The 243-device portfolio had no single point of oversight, resulting in more than 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 with devices out of compliance, operational interruptions, and unnecessary regulatory risk.
ATIS’s certificate management program addresses these challenges by providing technical expertise, clear ownership, and coordinated communication to keep every location inspection-ready year round.
Solution
We 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.
In the first seven months:
175 violations closed, cutting the backlog by more than two-thirds
Certificate compliance improved by more than 20% portfolio-wide
Average resolution time cut in half, reducing operational risk
By taking full ownership of compliance management and driving alignment across all parties, ATIS turned a disorganized, risk-prone process into a disciplined, results-oriented certificate management program.
We combined structured oversight, clear accountability, and consistent follow-through to help our retail client eliminate years of accumulated backlog, improve compliance metrics, and reduce exposure to fines and store disruptions.