How Smith & Associates Streamlines Global EcoVadis Disclosures with Novisto

The Smith Story, In a nutshell

1. THE CHALLENGE: Coordinating fragmented ESG data across 20+ global locations, 12 distinct departments, and 800+ employees to meet high-stakes EcoVadis deadlines and foster a unified sustainability culture.
2. THE SOLUTION: Centralizing "bits and pieces" of information into Novisto to create a single source of truth, leveraging an intuitive UX/UI that invites seamless cross-functional collaboration.
3. THE OUTCOME: A stress-free, audit-ready disclosure process that ensures global document validity and allows the team to pivot from data collection to long-term ESG strategy and improved customer offerings.

Siloed Data Across a Global Network

For Smith & Associates, sustainability is a strategic arm that requires deep cross-functional understanding—spanning from Learning & Development to Finance. However, aligning these diverse teams without a central tool proved difficult. As Global Sustainability Analyst Vanessa Cristobal faced the monumental task of gathering documentation, the data was scattered across international borders and departments.

• Global Complexity: Managing "bits and pieces" of information from 20+ sites and 12 different departments into a cohesive whole.
• The "Last-Minute" Trap: The high stress of tracking expiring certifications and validity dates that could negatively impact their EcoVadis score.
• Resource Drain: Manually chasing 800+ people for data updates instead of intentionally aligning ideas and forging community.

"We have 800-plus people with so many different bits and pieces of information that make a whole... We wanted to stay ahead of that so it doesn’t become a last-minute stressful situation."

— Vanessa Cristobal, Global Sustainability Analyst

A Strategic Partnership Beyond Software

In early 2025, Smith & Associates implemented Novisto to move beyond manual spreadsheets and break down departmental silos. The implementation focused on:

• Centralized Data Governance: Using Novisto as the "single source of truth" to streamline information across the global network.
• Proactive Document Tracking: Setting up automated requests and alerts to update documents before they expire, ensuring the company stays ahead of auditor requirements.
• Collaborative UX/UI: Providing users across 12 different departments with tailored visibility into the platform, ensuring each team sees exactly what makes sense for their role.

"The UX, UI experience invites and underscores the type of collaboration that we want to see to cross-pollinate not only data, but ideas and visibility into our business as an entirety."

— Lisa Cairns, VP of Learning & Development and Sustainability

From Data Chaos to Strategic Value

By leveraging Novisto’s reporting infrastructure, Smith & Associates transformed their sustainability department from a "reporting hub" into a "strategy hub."

• Streamlined EcoVadis Submissions: The team successfully collected and organized all global data, meeting disclosure requirements with zero "last-minute" panic.
• Audit-Ready Global Network: Every location is now synced. The validity of every document is tracked in real-time, providing a transparent audit trail for customers and evaluators.
• Empowered Strategic Ideation: With the time saved on data collection, the sustainability team can now focus on customizing their ESG roadmap and acting as the primary interpreters of ESG trends for company leadership.
• Enhancing Customer Offerings: By breaking down silos, the team can use their unified data and cross-pollinated ideas to not only improve internal operations but also elevate the value they provide to their customers.

"It’s more than just 'I go in, I click away, and we’re done.' It’s about the customizing of how it will be strategically important and pivotal for Smith as a whole."

— Vanessa Cristobal, Global Sustainability Analyst