Qualified Specialists Int'l

What Qualified Specialists Int'l does

QSI is a Houston-based professional consulting, training, and management systems technology firm founded in 1989 that serves primarily the oil and gas industry, with secondary practices in aerospace, nuclear, midstream pipelines, and control systems integration. The company develops and licenses the Integrity Management System (IMS), a proprietary software platform covering quality (ISO 9001), health & safety (ISO 45001), environmental (ISO 14001), and information security (ISO 27001) management, with modules for CAPA, NCR, risk assessment (Risk+), contingency planning, management of change, vendor control, training, maintenance, calibration, and metrics. The IMS was entirely rewritten for API Spec Q1 10th Edition compliance and is delivered as hosted SaaS, on-premise, or as standalone applications.

QSI's commercial model blends recurring software revenue (multi-user IMS licenses with $100/user/month add-ons), professional services (consulting, auditing, and training engagements typically priced per project), one-time digital product sales through the QSI Store (Comparative Analysis at $395 and Technical Gap Analysis at $1,295), and self-paced online training via QSI University. Customer acquisition is consultative sales-led, driven by the firm's multi-decade participation on API Standardization Development Committees, founder Bud Weightman's standing as Exemplar Global's longest-tenured certified lead auditor (30 years), and content marketing targeted at quality, compliance, and operations professionals in regulated industries. The firm has implemented and assessed management systems across approximately 30 countries since 1989.

The company is privately held by founder R.T. "Bud" Weightman, has no external funding or parent company, and operates with an 11–50 employee team and 150+ years of combined staff experience. It maintains wholly-owned subsidiaries including the QSI Store, QSI University, and Compliance Systems Evaluations, and has received API Certified Training Provider status plus a 2026 API Resolution of Appreciation for work on API Standard 20M.

Name

Qualified Specialists Int'l

Legal name

Qualified Specialists, LLC

Website

https://qualifiedspecialists.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

QSI is a Houston-based consulting, training, and SaaS software firm serving primarily the oil and gas industry with its proprietary Integrity Management System (IMS) platform, expert API and ISO certification consulting, and specialized training programs for regulated industries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Quality Management Software

NAICS

Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Software Publishers (51321)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Quality Management Systems (QMS) & ISO Training (ISO 9001/IATF/AS9100) (EDABAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Testing, QA & Release/Deployment Enablement (BPAEAAAN), QA, Test Automation & Software Quality (Manual/Automated Testing, Performance) (EDABAFAL), Quality Engineering & Test Automation (QE/QA) (BPAEAFAJ)

Keywords

• Quality management software
• API compliance consulting
• Integrity management systems
• Pipeline safety management
• QHSE auditing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Software Licensing & SaaS (IMS): QSI licenses its Integrity Management System (IMS) software as a hosted SaaS solution and as independent applications. The software deployment menu shows options for IMS, Software Deployment, and Hosted Solutions. Multi-user licenses are available with add-on options ($100 per additional user license, as shown in the QSI Store).
2. Professional Consulting Services: Consulting engagements covering management systems solutions, implementation, turnkey solutions, certification and product licensing support (API Q1, Q2, ISO 9001/14001/45001), and special projects (e.g., nonproductive time assessments, project integrity management system development). Revenue is earned through billable consulting engagements, typically project-based or retainer arrangements.
3. Training Courses & Programs: Instructor-led and self-paced training programs on API Spec Q1 10th Edition, API Spec Q2, Lead Auditor courses, and Ethics Training for the Oil & Gas Industry. Training is delivered through open enrollment courses and corporate/custom engagements. QSI University (QSI-U) hosts online self-paced training.
4. Digital Product Sales (QSI Store): The QSI Store sells downloadable digital products including gap analysis reports and user license add-ons. Products include the Q1 10th Edition Comparative Analysis ($395) and Technical Gap Analysis ($1,295). All sales are final with no refunds for digital downloads.
5. Auditing Services: Internal, supply chain, and project audits performed by QSI's team of certified auditors. Services include registration audit support, supply chain audits, and witnessing certification audits (by API or certified bodies).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

QSI develops and licenses the Integrity Management System (IMS), a SaaS-based quality, health & safety, environmental, and information security (QHSE) management software platform, alongside complementary consulting, auditing, training, and API compliance services. The firm helps organizations in oil & gas, manufacturing, aerospace, and nuclear industries achieve and maintain API Spec Q1/Q2, ISO 9001/14001/45001/27001, and API RP 1173 certifications. Revenue is generated through software licensing, professional consulting engagements, instructor-led and self-paced training programs, and downloadable digital gap analysis products sold through the QSI Store.

Product overview

Qualified Specialists International (QSI) offers a unified portfolio consisting of its flagship IMS (Integrity Management System) software platform—a comprehensive quality management and risk management solution—alongside complementary professional services including consulting, auditing, and training. The IMS platform includes sub-products like Risk+ and is available via Software as a Service (SaaS) or hosted solutions. The company also operates a digital store selling technical publications such as the Q1 10th Edition Comparative Analysis and Technical Gap Analysis reports, as well as a separate online learning platform called QSI University for self-paced training. API Services provide specialized consulting for American Petroleum Institute compliance and pipeline safety management systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IMS (Integrity Management System): A comprehensive quality management software solution developed by QSI for managing processes, compliance, and tracking various operational elements including CAPA, NCR, risk assessment, and vendor control.
• Risk+
• QSI University

Products and services

• IMS (Integrity Management System) A SaaS-based quality, health & safety, environmental, and information security management software platform that provides a framework for assessing and mitigating risks, managing processes, and tracking due dates. IMS includes applications for CAPA, NCR, Risk Assessment, Contingency Planning, Management of Change, Vendor Control, Personnel Qualification, Training, Maintenance, Calibration, Metrics, and Events. Available as SaaS hosted solution, independent applications, or on-premise deployments. Built for organizations in regulated industries such as oil & gas, manufacturing, aerospace, and nuclear.
• Software Deployment Services Software development and deployment services for QSI's management system solutions, including SaaS hosting, independent applications, and hosted solutions. Provided to organizations adopting the IMS platform and other QSI software offerings.
• Consulting Services Quality management consulting covering certifications and product licensing support (API Q1, Q2, ISO 9001/14001/45001), management systems solutions, implementation services, and turnkey solutions for achieving regulatory compliance and industry certification. Provided to organizations in regulated industries.
• Auditing Services Expert audit support including system analysis, gap analysis, readiness reviews, internal audits, registration audit support, and supply chain audits against standards such as API Q1, API Q2, AS9100, and ISO 9001. Includes internal, supply chain, and project audits, plus witnessing of certification audits by API or certified bodies.
• Training Services Professional training courses including Q1 Lead Auditor Training, Q2 Lead Auditor Training, Mastering API Spec Q1 10th Edition, API Spec Q1 10th Edition Transition Training, and Ethics Training for the Oil & Gas Industry. Delivered through open enrollment instructor-led courses and corporate custom engagements.
• API Services Specialized consulting for American Petroleum Institute compliance including API Q1 10th Edition consulting, API Repair and Remanufacture Licensing support, and API RP 1173 Pipeline Safety Management System software, consulting, and assessment services. Targeted at oil & gas operators, manufacturers, and pipeline operators pursuing API certification and licensing.
• CSIA Certification Readiness Services Professional assistance for Control System Integrators Association (CSIA) certification preparation, including internal assessments, alignment with CSIA Best Practices and Benchmarks, and standards integration. Targeted at control systems integrators pursuing CSIA certification.
• Q1, 10th Edition Comparative Analysis An illustrated side-by-side gap analysis comparing API Spec Q1 9th Edition against 10th Edition, highlighting all changes with color-coded text (black for unchanged, green for new wording, red strikethrough for removed text), plus interpretations and implementation guidance. Sold as a downloadable digital report priced at $395.00. Targeted at oil & gas organizations preparing for API Spec Q1 10th Edition compliance.
• Q1, 10th Edition Technical Gap Analysis A comprehensive over 100-page technical gap analysis report comparing API Spec Q1 9th Edition against 10th Edition with interpretations, implementation considerations, risk identification, and a Change Log template for Management of Change documentation. Sold as a downloadable digital report priced at $1,295.00. Targeted at oil & gas organizations preparing for API Spec Q1 10th Edition compliance.
• QSI University An online training platform (qsiuniversity.com) hosting self-paced courses including API Q1 10th Edition Transition training and Ethics Training for the Oil & Gas Industry. Some ethics training is offered without charge. Targeted at quality and compliance professionals in the oil & gas industry.

Quantifiable outcome

• Significantly reduced failure rates of drilling services providers' tools for an eight-rig offshore drilling program (Middle East engagement)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• American Petroleum Institute (API)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQSI maintains a deep, multi-decade relationship with the American Petroleum Institute. Founder Bud Weightman has worked with API since 1986 as an auditor and on standardization committees, and QSI participates on API's Quality and Supply Chain Management Subcommittees (since 1990). QSI holds API Certified Training Provider status and was instrumental in developing API Standard 20M. QSI's products, training, and consulting are built around API specifications (Spec Q1, Spec Q2, API RP 1173) and the API Monogram Program.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cority: Cloud-based EHSQ (environment, health, safety, quality) software platform used by industrial firms to manage ISO-aligned management systems — comparable to IMS as an alternative enterprise QHSE solution.
• ETQ (Hexagon EHS): Provider of quality and EHS management system software (now part of Hexagon), serving manufacturers with CAPA, NCR, audit, and compliance modules — the closest direct software competitor to QSI's IMS platform.
• Intelex Technologies: EHS/quality management software vendor with configurable QMS modules for ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 — competes with QSI's IMS in regulated industrial customers seeking integrated management system platforms.

Emerging players

• Process Safety Office (PSO) / RISC Advisory: Specialized pipeline and process safety consultancy offering PSMS implementation aligned with API RP 1173 — an emerging competitor to QSI's pipeline safety management system software and consulting services for midstream operators.

Broad incumbents

• LRQA (Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance): Certification and assurance services provider delivering ISO 9001/14001/45001 audits, training, and management systems consulting for industrial and energy clients — competes head-to-head with QSI's ISO audit and consulting practice.
• SGS: World-leading testing, inspection, and certification company providing ISO management system certification, supplier audits, and training across oil & gas, aerospace, and industrial sectors — overlaps with QSI's full services stack.
• Intertek: Global quality assurance and testing company providing ISO certification, auditing, and related consulting across energy, aerospace, and manufacturing — competes with QSI in regulated industry certification work.
• Bureau Veritas: Global testing, inspection, and certification firm offering ISO 9001/14001/45001 auditing, training, and compliance services across oil & gas, aerospace, and industrial sectors — overlapping directly with QSI's certification and audit portfolio.
• DNV: Major certification body and management systems consultancy with strong oil & gas and pipeline safety credentials, including work tied to ISO and energy-sector standards — directly comparable to QSI's API/ISO service lines.
• DEKRA: International testing, inspection, and certification organization offering ISO and industry-specific audits, training, and consulting — overlaps with QSI's certification, auditing, and training offerings in oil & gas and manufacturing.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/QualifiedSpecialists
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/qualified-specialists-international
• Xx.com/QSI_Spotlight

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Qualified Specialists Int'l