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2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools
Assembled by Darcy Hitchcock, managing editor, ISSP
2 2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools
Cover image: jscreationzs / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
© Copyright 2010 International Society of Sustainability Professionals.
Published in Portland, OR.
All rights reserved.
ISBN 978-0-557-71999-0
2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools 3
Table of Contents
Introduction .......................................................................................................................................4
Reporting Tool Cross-‐Reference .........................................................................................................8
Agilewaves Building Optimization System ........................................................................................14
Building Dashboard® ........................................................................................................................16
Credit360 .........................................................................................................................................18
Dakota Metrics.................................................................................................................................21
EnergyCAP Enterprise.......................................................................................................................23
Intelex Environmental Sustainability Metrics ...................................................................................27
iReuse Tracking and Reporting Tool..................................................................................................30
MÖBIUS™ Sustainability Auditing and Reporting .............................................................................33
PureReport.......................................................................................................................................35
SAS Sustainability Reporting.............................................................................................................38
SoFi Corporate Sustainability Solution..............................................................................................43
SPaRK™............................................................................................................................................47
Appendix— Sustainability Planning/Reporting Tool Input Form .......................................................53
4 2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools
Introduction
Purpose of this guide Sustainability is a fast growing and fast changing field. Part of ISSP’s mission is to stay on top of new developments and emerging tools and technologies to make sure professionals have the best possible resources to support their work. This directory compiles tools that help organizations plan and report on their sustainability efforts.
Types of reporting tools included in this directory The focus of this guide is on tools that help organizations track and report on sustainability related metrics. Many of the tools provide a broad set of metrics—social and environmental—while others focus one a narrow area such as on building performance. These tools appear to be converging and the field is changing fast. So we erred on the side of including tools rather than excluding tools.
In addition to the tools included in this guide, there are many organizations that did not respond to our request. We provide that list in the sidebar, in case you want to investigate them as well.
Methodology ISSP sent out requests, asking people who had reporting tools or might know others who did. We sent the owners of the tools an input form. Their forms are then assembled essentially verbatim in this guide in alphabetical order by the tool name. Part of the input form included information for a cross-reference table (see next chapter) so that we could compare and contrast the tools at a glance. We’d like to thank our members who helped us identify these tools, in particular Janine Kubert and Bernie Burgener.
2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools 5
How to use this guide Start with the Reporting Tool Cross-Reference table in the next chapter. This set of tables provides an overview of each of the tools included in this guide. You might highlight the rows representing the features or criteria important to you. Then see if you can find tools that have X’s in those rows, indicating they meet those criteria. Then find the more detailed information about the tools that best meet your criteria in the directory.
Each tool provides the following information:
• Purpose: What does this tool do? • Type of Tool: How do people access the tool (ie, is
this software as a service, a software purchase, or do you install it on your mainframe)?
• Features: What can people do with the tool (ie, can they input their data, customize reports, link to existing databases, give access to third-party auditors, etc.?
• Benefits/Distinguishing Characteristics: What’s special about this tool (as compared to others)? (
• Training and Support: How do people learn how to use the tool?
• Instructional manual: Is there a companion book or instruction manual that helps people use the tool?
Follow the URLs included in each of the descriptions for even more information or to contact the owner of the tools directly.
Criteria The reporting tool cross-reference compares the tools against the following criteria. Because these charts span several pages, we thought it would be useful to see the criteria on one page first. There are two sets of tables, one for the first set of tools and a second with the remaining tools.
Non-responses The following organizations did not respond to our requests for information. We include them here in case they might have a tool that would meet your needs.
Advantage IQ www.advantage iq .com/
CA, www.ca.com/us/energy-sustainability-management.aspx
Ceres www.cer e s .org/
Dakota Software http://www.dakotasoft.com/
Enablon http://enablon.com/home.aspx
Enviance http://www.enviance.com/index.aspx
First Carbon Solutions, http://www.firstcarbonsolutions.com/home.php
Global Reporting Initiative www.g loba lr epor t ing .org/
Hara www.hara .com/
Hondo Green www.hondogreen .com
HIS, http://www.ihs.com/index.htm
SAP www.sap .com/solutions/sus ta inabi l i t y/index.epx
Tripos http://www.tripossoftware.com/
Utility Management Services www.ut i lmanagement .com/
6 2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools
Criteria Descriptor Tool #1 Tool #2
Appropriate for large, complex organizations (eg, multinationals, organizations with many divisions)
Appropriate for medium sized organizations (500+employees)
Appropriate for small organizations (<500 employees)
Appropriate for micro-enterprises (<25 people)
Appropriate for consulting organization (client management)
App
ropr
iate
ness
/ So
phis
ticat
ion
(che
ck a
ll th
at a
pply
)
Appropriate for certain sectors (please list)
Software as a service (SAAS)
Software purchase (including shareware) for use on desktop/laptop
Software installation on a mainframe
Typ
e of
tool
Other (please list in column to right if appropriate)
Sustainability planning (eg, long term plan, sustainability management system, etc.)
Data collection/repository
Report generator (eg sustainability report)
Calculators (eg, greenhouse gas, ecological footprint). (Please list in column to right if appropriate)
Too
l fea
ture
s
Other. (Please list in column to right if appropriate)
Training
Manual
Design/customization
Installation & Maintenance (application support)
Supp
ort a
vaila
ble
Help line (phone or chat)
PC/Windows
Mac
Web-based
Plat
form
Mainframe .)
Global Reporting Initiative compliant or certified
Com
plia
nce
Supplier scorecards
English
Lang
uage
s
Others (specify the languages available)
Environmental performance
Social performance
Top
ics
cove
red
(che
ck o
r lis
t in
right
co
lum
n)
Economical performance
Maintains audit trail for auditor
Aud
its
Allows access to a third-party auditor
Out-right purchase
Annual license
Installation and configuration
Cos
t (en
ter
the
field
s th
at
appl
y to
you
r to
ol)
Other (please explain in column to right if appropriate)
2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools 7
Fine print Completeness: This is inevitably not an exhaustive list of all sustainability reporting tools that met our criteria. If you are aware of other tools that should be included in future directories, please email [email protected] with the name of the tool and the appropriate contact at the host organization. If you have such a tool, please see the input form in the Appendix.
Accuracy and endorsement: Because most of the material in this directory was provided by the owners of the tools, ISSP cannot take responsibility for accuracy. Similarly, inclusion in this directory should not be interpreted as an endorsement.
Full disclosure: Darcy Hitchcock, the editor of this directory, helped create one of these tools. However, we made every effort to seek out and include competing tools.
8 2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools
Reporting Tool Cross-Reference
Tools 1-‐6 Criteria Descriptor Agilewaves Building
Dashboard Credit360 Dakota
Metrics Energy CAP
Intelex Environmental Sustainability
Metrics
Appropriate for large, complex organizations (eg, multinationals, organizations with many divisions)
X X X X X X
Appropriate for medium sized organizations (500+employees)
X X X X X X
Appropriate for small organizations (<500 employees)
X X X X X X
Appropriate for micro-enterprises (<25 people)
X X
Appropriate for consulting organization (client management)
X X X
App
ropr
iate
ness
/ So
phis
ticat
ion
(che
ck a
ll th
at a
pply
)
Appropriate for certain sectors (please list)
MDU’s HUD Green Retrofits
X System is fully configurable and so can accommodate
various sectors.
Primary focus is industrial companies
X (easily configurable for
unique sector needs)
Software as a service (SAAS) X X X X X X
Software purchase (including shareware) for use on desktop/laptop
X X
Software installation on a mainframe
Sensor hardware included as required for electricity, gas, water, IAQ.
X X
Typ
e of
tool
Other (please list in column to right if appropriate)
2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools 9
Criteria Descriptor Agilewaves Building Dashboard
Credit360 Dakota Metrics Energy CAP
Intelex Environmental Sustainability
Metrics
Sustainability planning (eg, long term plan, sustainability management system, etc.)
X X X X X
Data collection/repository X X X X X X
Report generator (eg sustainability report)
X X X X X X
Calculators (eg, greenhouse gas, ecological footprint). (Please list in column to right if appropriate)
Carbon Footprint
Carbon Diet Alerts
Time-of-Day Peak Reports for Demand Management
Can use to calculate GHGs,
footprint etc.
X X Air, Water, Waste, Training Mgt,
Audits, & Incidents modules
Too
l fea
ture
s
Other. (Please list in column to right if appropriate)
Alerts sent via email/text for leaks, peaks and carbon diet compliance.
Manage supplier questionnaires;
ISO 14001 compliance;
Incident tracking.
Secure audit trails ensure data
accuracy
Built upon and integrated with
Dakota Software’s EHS
compliance platform
Training X X X X X X
Manual X X X X X
Design/customization X X X X X X
Installation & Maintenance (application support)
X X instillation is handled remotely
X X X X
Supp
ort a
vaila
ble
Help line (phone or chat) X X technical support
provided by LDG staff
X X X X
PC/Windows X X X
Mac X
Web-based X X X X X X
Plat
form
Mainframe .) Oracle platform
10 2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools
Criteria Descriptor Agilewaves Building Dashboard Credit360 Dakota Metrics Energy CAP Intelex Environmental Sustainability
Metrics
Global Reporting Initiative compliant or certified
X X
Com
plia
nce
Supplier scorecards
Rainforest Alliance SmartSource
supplier scorecard on paper products
English X X X X
Lang
uage
s
Others (specify the languages available)
X Automated benchmarking with
Energy Star Building Portfolio Manager
French
Spanish
Portuguese
German
Mandarin
And others as requested.
EnerygCAP Express, the SaaS
version, can accommodate
multiple languages as needed
Environmental performance
X X X X X
Social performance
X socially networked tool allows people to
compare their consumption with
others
X
Top
ics
cove
red
(che
ck o
r lis
t in
right
col
umn)
Economical performance
X X X X
Maintains audit trail for auditor
X X X
Aud
its
Allows access to a third-party auditor
X X
Out-right purchase
See below. Out-right purchase of license: 0.5-1.5% of total annual utility spend
Annual license $4000-40,000
$2000 approx Dependent on modules purchased
and number of users – it is usually about $70-170K
for 3 years.
Named or shared, per seat, enterprise-wide SAAS, single seat starts at $500, enterprise could exceed $100K
0.5-1.5% of total annual utility spend divided by five
Installation and configuration
$1000-10,000
Varies by number of buildings & technical integration required.
Average cost for multiple bldgs:
$15,000 - 25,000.
Included in standard package
40-70% of license fee
Cos
t (en
ter
the
field
s th
at a
pply
to y
our
tool
)
Other (please explain in column to right if appropriate)
2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools 11
Tools 7-‐12 Criteria Descriptor iReuse MÖBIUS™ PureReport SAS Sustainability Reporting SoFi Corporate
Sustainability Solution
SPaRK
Appropriate for large, complex organizations (eg, multinationals, organizations with many divisions)
X X PureReport Expert Group
X X
Appropriate for medium sized organizations (500+employees)
X X PureReport Advanced
X X X
Appropriate for small organizations (<500 employees)
X X PureReport Advanced /
Essential
X X
Appropriate for micro-enterprises (<25 people)
X PureReport Essential
X
Appropriate for consulting organization (client management)
X X PureReport Expert
X Case by case basis X
App
ropr
iate
ness
/ So
phis
ticat
ion
(che
ck a
ll th
at a
pply
)
Appropriate for certain sectors (please list in column to right if appropriate)
Government, Hi Tech, Manufacturing, Industrial Manufacturing, Education, Telecommunications, Retail, Utilities,
Oil & Gas, Financial Institutions
Software as a service (SAAS) X X X X
Software purchase (including shareware) for use on desktop/laptop
X X
Software installation on a mainframe
X May opt for 3rd party web hosting or local hosting
Typ
e of
tool
Other (please list in column to right if appropriate)
Hosted Application X
12 2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools
Criteria Descriptor iReuse MÖBIUS™ PureReport SAS Sustainability
Reporting
SoFi Corporate
Sustainability Solution
SPaRK
Sustainability planning (eg, long term plan, sustainability management system, etc.)
X Possibility to set objectives
for future period
X X X
Data collection/repository X X X X X X
Report generator (eg sustainability report)
X X X X X Provides charts that can
go into reports
Calculators (eg, greenhouse gas, ecological footprint). (Please list in column to right if appropriate)
Calculates GHGs produced and avoided
from onsite energy usage or efficiency,
waste diversion or sent to landfill, and paper
procurement of virgin or recycled content
materials.
X Conversion tables are
available for GHG and
energy topics
X Any calcs including
GHG factors
Basic greenhouse
gas calculator
Too
l fea
ture
s
Other. (Please list in column to right if appropriate)
Live Performance Tracking,
Documentation Uploading
Data Quality
Forecasting
Correlation Analytics
Strategy Mapping
Scenario Analysis
Audit trail; User specific access rights; Dashboard
Training X X X X X Classes, podcasts and membership
in users group
Manual X X X X X
Design/customization X X X X
Installation & Maintenance (application support)
X X X X Supp
ort a
vaila
ble
Help line (phone or chat) X X X X
PC/Windows X X X
Mac X X
Web-based X X X X X
Plat
form
Mainframe X
Global Reporting Initiative compliant or certified
X Certified X Largely compatible;
cross reference provided
Com
plia
nce
Supplier scorecards Most covered by GRI and
S2D2 specific indicators set
Info can be collected but no scoring
2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools 13
Criteria Descriptor iReuse MÖBIUS™ PureReport SAS Sustainability Reporting
SoFi Corporate Sustainability Solution
SPaRK
English X X X X X X
Lang
uage
s Others (specify the languages available)
Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese,
Danish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean,
Polish, Spanish and Russian.
German, Spanish, Catalan, Russian, Chinese, Dutch,
Turkish, Others upon Request
Environmental performance
X X X X X X
Social performance X X X X X
Top
ics
cove
red
)
Economical performance
X X X X X X
Maintains audit trail for auditor
X X X X
Aud
its
Allows access to a third-party auditor
X X
Out-right purchase X SPaRK-Lite free with training or off
website;
$750 for full SPaRK, companion book
plus membership in Support System &
Network
Annual license X $2500-5000 From $499.95 per
year
Varies based on size of org
Based on number of users and system administrators
Installation and configuration
X
Cos
t (en
ter
the
field
s th
at a
pply
to y
our
tool
)
Other (please explain in column to right if appropriate)
Monthly license
available
Consultant Tethering
(per/hr rate applies)
14 2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools
Agilewaves Building Optimization System
Tool Summary Tool name: Agilewaves Building Optimization System
Description provided by (Organization and email): Agilewaves, [email protected]
URL: www.agilewaves.com
Cost to purchase: $ 5-50k for system installation depending on sensor instrumentation, annual software subscription applies.
Cost to become trained/licensed to use it (if appropriate): N/A
Information provided by: Carol Morrison <[email protected]>
Purpose: What does this tool do?
Agilewaves Building Optimization System is a turnkey system for Building Energy Management (BEM) using sensors and software to measure electricity, gas, water and renewables. A software suite provides facility managers and building owners with the real-time, rigorous metrics needed to increase energy efficiency, reduce energy costs and meet the persistent monitoring requirements for green retrofits, monitoring-based commissioning, Energy Star, LEED, and Net-Zero Energy Building projects.
Type of Tool: How do people access the tool (ie, is this software as a service, a software purchase, or do you install it on your mainframe)? This is a software-as-a-service offering accessible via web browser.
Features: What can people do with the tool? - Real-time building performance reports
2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools 15
- Highly accurate and robust data acquisition model
- Granular detail by floor, zone, equipment, or utility
- Automatic calculation of carbon footprint
- Trend analysis and historical comparatives
- Automatic alerting via email, text
- Monitors multiple buildings from single display
Benefits/Distinguishing Characteristics: What’s special about this tool (as compared to others)? - User configurable alerts and alarms
- Custom Comparison Reports provide in-depth analysis at granular level
- Implements time-of-day utility rates for Demand Response applications
Training and Support: How do people learn how to use the tool? Training manuals and online support provided for users and system administrators.
16 2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools
Building Dashboard®
Tool Summary Creator/owner of the tool: Lucid Design Group
Cost to purchase (in USD): $9,950 - $20,000
Cost to become trained/licensed to use it (if appropriate): Yearly service fee based on the initial project cost. Average cost and duration to install: Customer is responsible for installation, and can take from 3 to 8 weeks to complete a project.
URL: www.luciddesigngroup.com
Description provided by (name and email): Andrew deCoriolis, [email protected]
Details
Purpose: What does this tool do? Building Dashboard® Network™ enables people to view, compare and share building energy and water use information on the web. Watch real-time resource use data come to life with simple, beautiful graphics on profile pages designed specifically for buildings and organizations. An expanding library of unique apps and widgets, and integration with third-party applications and websites, make Building Dashboard Network a comprehensive and exciting new social network for buildings.
Type of Tool: How do people access the tool (ie, is this software as a service, a software purchase, or do you install it on your mainframe)? Building Dashboard is a hosted software solution, and can be accessed on any web enabled devise.
Features: What can people do with the tool? • View, compare and share building energy and water use information in real time on the web. Browse
profile pages designed specifically for buildings, companies and schools.
2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools 17
• Create community-wide comparisons, join in real-time energy reduction competitions and explore green building features with Apps.
• Set up budgets, examine breakdowns by floor or end use, identify periods of high consumption, check weather forecasts and more with Widgets.
• Instantly search for buildings across the Network. Connect seamlessly with other social networking websites and feeds to automatically post updates to your personal profile page.
Benefits/Distinguishing Characteristics: What’s special about this tool (as compared to others)?
• Building Dashboard Network is the first socially network tool that allows for users to view and compare their resource consumption to others in the Network
• Lucid Design Group draws on 7 years of designing and implementing solutions for institutional clients that engage building occupants and foster conservation.
• Lucid Design Group’s products are driven by a research team and partnership with professors from Oberlin College, a leading liberal arts school.
• Building Dashboard Network is an award winning product with over 100 customers and 500+ buildings in the Network.
Training and Support: How do people learn how to use the tool? Technical support and training and provided as part of the yearly service agreement, and is provided by Lucid Design Group Application Engineers and Customer Programs Manager.
Instructional manual: Is there a companion book or instruction manual that helps people use the tool? Lucid Design Group provides customers with a User Manual that can be used for reference after the training process.
18 2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools
Credit360
Tool Summary Creator/owner of the tool: Credit360
Cost to purchase (in USD): $70 – 170K for 3 years.
Cost to become trained/licensed to use it (if appropriate): Training, support and uploading of historic data are included in our package.
Average cost and duration to install: This is included in our package. Implementation and set up time is flexible depending on client needs and typically may take between 6-8 weeks.
URL: http://www.credit360.com
Description provided by (name and email): Wendy Tng, [email protected]
Details
Purpose: What does this tool do?
Credit360’s web-based data management and communication system helps organizations in tracking their sustainability metrics, analyzing their data and reporting on their sustainability performance to stakeholder groups. Modular and highly flexible, the Credit360 tool allows clients to focus on the issues important to them, ranging from carbon emissions and waste management to employee diversity and human rights, or a combination of issues. Charts and tables can be easily output and we support reporting to major frameworks like the GRI and CDP as well.
Type of Tool: How do people access the tool?
Credit360 is offered as software as a service, though we are happy to take it in-house if clients prefer this. The system is web-based so all users need is access to the Internet and their unique log-ins. Credit360 is available in multiple languages (including French, German, Mandarin, Portuguese and Spanish), supporting global data collection processes.
Features: What can people do with the tool?
• Input data • Customize reports • Link to existing databases • Give read-only access to third-party auditors • Create different user groups with varying permission levels • Produce dashboards easily
2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools 19
• Customize to match their KPIs and business structure • Set targets and monitor performance of locations over time
• Ensure a chain of approval and review for data submission
20 2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools
• Available in multiple languages – supports global data collection • Prepare reports to major frameworks like the GRI, CDP and UNGC
Benefits/Distinguishing Characteristics: What’s special about this tool (as compared to others)?
• Full spectrum sustainability covering a wide range of CSR issues – not just carbon focused • Modular and highly flexible – the system can grow with you as your sustainability priorities change • Credit360 is highly experienced in sustainability – with more than 9 years of experience focused in
this field, and with an impressive suite of clients across industries and countries • Recognized for its excellence – Credit360 was recently accredited as a carbon calculation partner of
the Carbon Disclosure Project. • Team with solid sustainability backgrounds – many of our account managers hold graduate degrees
in sustainability and environmental engineering.
Training and Support: How do people learn how to use the tool?
We provide training as part of our package. When we start with a client we will discuss with you the training schedule for your data providers and administrators, and provide training accordingly. This includes creating takeaway materials to reinforce the training sessions. An account manager dedicated to each client will provide ongoing support by phone or email and coordinate requests with the technical team.
Instructional manual: Is there a companion book or instruction manual that helps people use the tool?
Yes. Instructional materials are typically provided to facilitate the training of end users. This is made available during the implementation process with each client.
2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools 21
Dakota Metrics
Tool Summary Creator/owner of the tool: Dakota Metrics
URL: www.dakotasoft.com
Cost to purchase (in USD): not public
Cost to become trained/licensed to use it (if appropriate): not public
Information provided by: Darrin Fleming, [email protected]
Details
Purpose: What does this tool do? Dakota Metrics is an enterprise-level solution for monitoring and analyzing carbon management, EHS and company-specific sustainability initiatives. With its comprehensive data collection engine and flexible dashboard reporting, Metrics ensures ongoing compliance by tracking a broad spectrum of priorities, progress and outstanding activities. Detailed audit trails further insure the integrity of your data for accurate reporting.
Type of Tool: How do people access the tool (ie, is this software as a service, a software purchase, or do you install it on your mainframe)? Dakota Metrics is available through a Software as a Service (SaaS) subscription. With SaaS, Dakota Software is able to deliver more features, enhanced control, better security, superior integration and less risk over time. Also, SaaS eliminates the need for customers to spend resources on infrastructure, upgrades and ongoing maintenance. Customers can start with a single user at a site and easily ramp Metrics to the entire team across all subsidiaries and locations of the enterprise.
Features: What can people do with the tool? • Create custom “smart forms” to facilitate data collection • Set up company-specific dashboards based upon user security level • Produce flexible sustainability reports • With respect to EPA’s Final Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) Rule, can
determine applicability of the 30 subparts and perform the necessary calculations
22 2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools
Benefits/Distinguishing Characteristics: What’s special about this tool (as compared to others)?
• Secure audit trails ensure data accuracy • Built upon and integrated with Dakota Software’s EHS compliance platform •
Training and Support: How do people learn how to use the tool? Dakota Software offers numerous training options: via the Internet, at the customer’s site, at regional training centers and at the annual Users Conference. And if you have any questions, Dakota Software’s fast response customer service connects you to real people ready to provide real answers.
Instructional manual: Is there a companion book or instruction manual that helps people use the tool? No
2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools 23
EnergyCAP Enterprise
Tool Summary Creator/owner of the tool: EnergyCAP, Inc.
Cost to purchase (in USD): Cost varies with organization size and software options purchased.
Cost to become trained/licensed to use it (if appropriate): $ Cost varies with organization size and needs; rolled into purchase price. No governmental licensing required for use. Average cost and duration to install: $___; ___ person-hours
URL: www.EnergyCAP.com
Description provided by (name and email): Chris Heinz, Director of Marketing
Details
Purpose: What does this tool do? EnergyCAP Enterprise is powerful enterprise energy management software for utility bill processing and energy/sustainability reporting. Designed for large corporations, universities, and city, county, state and federal governments and agencies that process from 250 to 50,000+ utility bills per month, EnergyCAP is an enterprise-class system with unsurpassed capabilities and flexibility. Features include manual data entry options and flat file or EDI import capabilities, bill auditing, user-configurable cost- and use-based organization setup and management, submetering, cost allocation, more than 200 reports, multiple grouping and benchmarking options, greenhouse gas emission tracking, cost avoidance and Measurement and Verification (M&V) tools, automated ENERGY STAR submission, budgeting, accruals, interval data processing and PowerViews™ for meaningful data presentment.
Type of Tool: How do people access the tool (ie, is this software as a service, a software purchase, or do you install it on your mainframe)?
Both SaaS and client-server PC versions of EnergyCAP are available. Clients may host their own EnergyCAP database, or EnergyCAP can host it at their commercial datacenter. EnergyCAP uses the powerful and popular Microsoft SQL Server (SQL 2005 or later) for data storage and processing, enabling a virtually unlimited number of bills, accounts, meters and buildings.
24 2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools
Features: What can people do with the tool? • Track accounts and organize into user-configurable cost centers • Report on greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) • Submit building energy data to ENERGY STAR automatically • Interface with Accounts Payable or General Ledger • Generate accruals • Manually enter bills from multiple locations simultaneously • Process electronic bills (flat file and EDI) • Audit bills (39 audits) • Administer energy contracts • Manage problems with Issue Tracker • Customize bill entry workflow • Benchmark organization buildings and cost centers • Create budgets and forecasts • Perform cost avoidance and Measurement & Verification (M&V) • Analyze rates/tariffs • Determine weather-related effects on utility use/cost • Automate report distribution • Design custom spreadsheet reports • View data with sophisticated presentment options (PowerViews ™) • Set up bill splits and chargebacks • Recover rental costs • Generate invoices for submeters • Import and graph interval (time-series or pulse) data
2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools 25
Benefits/Distinguishing Characteristics: What’s special about this tool (as compared to others)?
• Most full-featured utility bill management software available • Most value in cost avoidance/savings • More than 30 years in the industry • Most widely-used enterprise energy management software • Organizational “rollup” reporting (PowerViews ™) • Use and Cost organizational views • SaaS and client-server options • Comprehensive support and training services
26 2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools
Training and Support: How do people learn how to use the tool? The initial software installation includes implementation and training in the form of onsite and online training sessions, online Help manual, searchable knowledgebase, technical videos, and an online training series. In addition, technical support via web, email, and toll-free telephone number are available.
Instructional manual: Is there a companion book or instruction manual that helps people use the tool? EnergyCAP maintains a comprehensive Web-Based User Manual that is constantly updated as new software releases are issued. Dedicated documentation staff maintains software information in hundreds of word-searchable topics. Additionally, in-house Technical Services team provides free trouble assistance with phone support and a user-searchable online knowledgebase.
2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools 27
Intelex Environmental Sustainability Metrics
Tool Summary Creator/owner of the tool: Intelex Environmental Sustainability Metrics
URL: http://www.intelex.com/Sustainability_Metrics-878-1product.aspx
Cost to purchase (in USD): $
Cost to become trained/licensed to use it (if appropriate): $
Description provided by (Organization and email): Intelex Technologies [email protected]
Details
Purpose: What does this tool do? Environmental Sustainability Metrics enables organizations to track, analyze and report on sustainability data. The software monitors that status of key performance indicators (KPIs), manages related tasks and activities, and ensures nothing slips through the cracks with real-time dashboards and escalating email notifications. Boardroom quality reports are easily accessed and can easily be displayed on performance dashboards.
Type of Tool: How do people access the tool (ie, is this software as a service, a software purchase, or do you install it on your mainframe)? Intelex offers a web-based solution available as either internet or intranet (for enterprise clients) deployment. Pricing is available both as one-time license and subscription models.
Features: What can people do with the tool? • Input sustainability data for single or multi-site facilities • Easily configure application for specific/unique requirements • Schedule tasks to be completed • Set up escalating email notifications to manage sensitive tasks • Set up a hierarchical location structure • Run reports and view dashboards in real-time • Link to external databases and systems • Import legacy data
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Benefits/Distinguishing Characteristics: What’s special about this tool (as compared to others)?
• It is affordable, easy-to-use, and can be implemented quickly
Training and Support: How do people learn how to use the tool? Intelex’s customer services team is closely involved with the implementation to ensure the system is properly configured and users are well trained. After implementation users can access our help desk and login to our online customer portal, Intelex-Exchange, where they can access free training webinars, documentation and other resources.
2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools 29
Instructional manual: Is there a companion book or instruction manual that helps people use the tool? Intelex has a comprehensive help file that is available online at all times from within the system – it is easily printed for reference and can also be emailed as a pdf. We also offer free training videos through our client portal, Intelex-Exchange.
30 2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools
iReuse Tracking and Reporting Tool (A Sustainability Dashboard)
Tool Summary Creator/owner of the tool: iReuse LLC
Cost to purchase (in USD): $1500 per year or $125 per month, per location
Cost to become trained/licensed to use it (if appropriate): $___
Average cost and duration to install: $___; 4 person-hours
URL: https://ireuse.com/tr_index.aspx
Description provided by (name and email): Janine Kubert
Details
Purpose: What does this tool do? Dashboard for tracking energy, water, waste and procurement.
2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools 31
Type of Tool: How do people access the tool (ie, is this software as a service, a software purchase, or do you install it on your mainframe)?
The iReuse tracking & Reporting Module makes operational efficiency easy! By Tracking information about your energy, waste, water, and procurement performance, you'll identify new opportunities to save money while saving the planet.
Features: What can people do with the tool?
• A single solution for tracking energy, water, waste and procurement • Data import and export for seamless integration with your utilities or third party applications • Web-based; no software to download or install; no hardware to purchase • Track single or multiple locations
Benefits/Distinguishing Characteristics: What’s special about this tool (as compared to others)?
• Optimize and maintain efficiency gains through continued measurement over time • Total transparency through comprehensive reporting • Building benchmarking and measurement of progress against future goals
Training and Support: How do people learn how to use the tool?
Our full suite of services includes:
* Complete Data Setup Service
* Monthly Efficiency Analysis Services - to identity savings opportunities
* Efficiency Assessment and Recommendations Service
* Custom Tracking and Reporting Modules - to meet your specific needs
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Instructional manual: Is there a companion book or instruction manual that helps people use the tool? Online help guide available.
2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools 33
MÖBIUS™ Sustainability Auditing and Reporting
Tool Summary Creator/owner of tool: eco-fit™ Sustainable Solutions
URL: http://www.eco-fitconsulting.com
Cost to purchase (in USD): $2,500-$5,000 /year
Cost to become trained/licensed to use it (if appropriate): $1500
Information provided by: Christopher Eichenauer [email protected]
Details Purpose: What does this tool do? MÖBIUS™ is designed to provide your organization with an enhanced vision of the business case for sustainability as it relates to your operations. By identifying your location along the sustainability spectrum MÖBIUS™ will highlight the opportunities that a high sustainability performance score will bring and illuminate the risks of poor sustainability performance. The audit will cover twelve operational categories and an industry specific customized category and be broken into five segments. It will provide the organization with a comprehensive audit, a Global Reporting Initiative Compliant Report, and a roadmap to achieving sustainability as it relates to the organization’s business model.
Type of Tool: How do people access the tool (ie, is this software as a service, a software purchase, or do you install it on your mainframe)? MÖBIUS™ is accessible by way of eco-fit™ Sustainable Solutions as well as licensed consultants.
Features: What can people do with the tool? • Assess and Benchmark • Sustainability Report (GRI Compliant) • Live Database of Performance Metrics • Sector/Industry Specific Categories • 1, 5, 10, 20 Year Sustainability Roadmap
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Benefits/Distinguishing Characteristics: What’s special about this tool (as compared to others)?
• Clients can login to live benchmarking and populate reports of pertinent performance metrics • Provides a customized Sustainability Roadmap for the organization to follow to achieve higher sustainability
performance
Training and Support: How do people learn how to use the tool? eco-fit™ Sustainable Solutions holds annual licensee training online for consultants who are interested in using MÖBIUS™
Instructional manual: Is there a companion book or instruction manual that helps people use the tool? There is currently not a companion book for MÖBIUS™
2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools 35
PureReport
Tool Summary Creator/owner of the tool: S2D2 Consulting
Cost to purchase (in USD): from $ 499.95 a year
Cost to become trained/licensed to use it (if appropriate): NA
Average cost and duration to install: $ 0 ; 0 person-hours
URL: www.s2d2consulting.com
Description provided by (name and email): Guillaume Moyen / [email protected]
Purpose: What does this tool do? The PureReport ® solutions offer a unique and innovative set of tools to monitor and communicate your sustainable Development / Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts.
The user benefits from a large choice of economical, social and environmental performance indicators to present their company’s strengths and customize their report as needed.
All PureReport solutions allow preparing sustainable development reports based on GRI G3 framework and GRI level C format.
The PureReport solutions - English version - have been certified by the GRI software certification program in June 2010.
Type of Tool: How do people access the tool (ie, is this software as a service, a software purchase, or do you install it on your mainframe)?
The PureReport solutions are Software As A Service. The on-line services allow:
• 24/7 accessibility from any computer with an internet access. • Lower constraints: no software or updates to install, no back-ups to handle, … • Security aspects handled by professionals. • An offer adapted to your needs: on-demand approach.
36 2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools
Features: What can people do with the tool?
• Input data and text for more than 86 performance indicators (economical, environmental, • 24/7 accessibility from any computer with an internet access. • Collaborative work within your organization: possibility to create a multi-users environment • Total and permanent compatibility between all users: a single version shared by all users. • The management of several reporting periods: the user can decide the length of the reporting
periods (monthly, quarterly, yearly, …). • An automatic edition of your sustainable development report in a pdf format; it allows to have a
report ready to be published, distributed or customized. • The ability to follow the progresses of your report through progress tracking features. • A large choice of 86 pre-defined indicators allowing you to customize your report while maintaining
compliance with Global Reporting Initiative G3 framework international standards. • For each indicator, the user has the ability to download a source file allowing third party reviews and
maintains a proper audit trail. • With the Expert Group version, the user has the possibility to manage several companies reporting
processes and consolidate individual reports in a group report automatically.
2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools 37
Benefits/Distinguishing Characteristics: What’s special about this tool (as compared to others)?
• As of today, the PureReport solutions are the only SaaS solutions which have been certified by the Global Reporting Initiative. This certification ensures a safe and reliable environment for the user through:
o The safety of a solution ensuring a proper and safe legal environment in terms of copyright usage
o The use of the leading global Sustainable development / CSR reporting framework • A unique set of tools and indicators added by S2D2 experts:
o to map and present the stakeholders engagement processes and results o to report on social, environmental and economical performance
• The ability to manage the consolidation of several entities report • The possibility to manage remote third-parties reviews through the delegations capabilities and the
possibility to attach source files to each indicator. • The possibility to request additional services from S2D2 teams (including report preparation, report
reviews, report certification, reports translations). • Four versions are designed to meet the needs of different user’s profiles:
- PureReport Essential and PureReport Advanced are designed to handle a single entity and are aiming to meet SMEs’ needs (http://www.s2d2consulting.com/detail.php?id_pr=93)
- PureReport Expert is designed to handle several independent entities and is aiming to allow consulting firms to manage the reporting process of multiple customers (http://www.s2d2consulting.com/detail.php?id_pr=94)
- PureReport Expert Group is designed to handle several entities and perform the consolidation of different reports within a group of companies or consolidate the performance of a suppliers’ panel (http://www.s2d2consulting.com/detail_expert_group.php?id_pr=95)
Training and Support: How do people learn how to use the tool? Two main types of support are available:
- In the PureReport platform, are available: o The user guide describing all capabilities and processes of the soft o The detailed GRI G3 framework referential for company presentation and reporting
methodologies, and the environmental, social and economical performance detailed guidelines.
o In each indicator page, a description of the indicator and methodologies is provided - Online support is provided through email, chat and phone by S2D2 teams. -
Instructional manual: Is there a companion book or instruction manual that helps people use the tool? The user guide is describing all capabilities and processes of the soft. The title is “ User Guide – SaaS solutions PureReport” – Publisher “S2D2”
The GRI framework referential for company presentation and reporting methodologies, and the environmental, social and economical performance detailed guidelines. Publisher “GRI”.
38 2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools
SAS Sustainability Reporting SAS Energy and Emissions Management
Tool Summary Creator/owner of the tool: SAS
Cost to purchase (in USD): $___ N/A
Cost to become trained/licensed to use it (if appropriate): $___ N/A
Average cost and duration to install: $___; ___ person-hours N/A
URL: www.sas.com
Description provided by (name and email): Alyssa Farrell [email protected]
Details
Purpose: What does this tool do? SAS® Sustainability Reporting provides a single source of information for analysis and reporting on an organization’s sustainability performance. Providing all necessary tools to capture, clean and transform data, it supports globally accepted sustainability KPIs and provides embedded analytic routines to forecast results and prove relationships between metrics.
SAS® Energy and Emissions Management models business processes to determine emissions and energy consumption, their cost and what drives them. It helps an organization identify reduction strategies that make sense for the business while ensuring that resources required and impacts of change are understood. The solution offers integrated data management, business modeling, reporting and analysis.
2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools 39
Type of Tool: How do people access the tool (ie, is this software as a service, a software purchase, or do you install it on your mainframe)?
The solution is intended for organizations in all industry sectors who want to communicate and forecast progress toward social, economic and environmental commitments. Multiple users within an organization can use the solution, including the sustainability director, the corporate social responsibility team, corporate strategists, environmental managers, or financial and operational analysts. The solution can be installed on site or hosted by SAS and accessed via secure web connection.
Features: What can people do with the tool? Business intelligence with integrated advanced analytics
• Web-based reporting, analysis and deployment. • Forecasting, statistical correlation procedures and predictive analytics. • Integration with SAS® Energy & Emissions Management*. • Integration with ESRI* applications. • Scope and analysis variable inclusion and adjustment.
Dynamic performance management • Measurement framework of GRI, industry-specific or your specific organization’s KPIs. • Web interface to design or select dashboards.
* Separate license required. * Separate license required.
40 2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools
• Dashboard speedometers signal KPI status with multiple thresholds or range values. • Drill-down to investigate problems or link to reports and spreadsheets. • User-customizable alerts and user subscription to alerts based on personal thresholds. • Display of any time period for any metric type (actual, target, status). • Display values, colors, range icons or descriptive text. • Strategy/process diagram editor reads from and writes to underlying database dynamically.
Data Integration • Read/write data on any technology platform in batch and real time (including Excel, Oracle, DB2,
SAP and legacy systems.) • Web interface for manual data collection. • Embedded data quality processes. • Data warehousing or data mart capability.
Security and role-based authorization • Security for specific elements or rows, templates, projects and scorecards. • Assignable user roles on user action permissions.
Interactive dashboards, collaboration and alerts • Dials, sliders, meters or traffic lights on results lead to notes, trend charts or custom reports. • Quick linked scorecards, strategy maps, diagrams or report navigation; compare children in a single
view. • User-defined organizational or personal thresholds and alerts that create flags, notes and emails. • Identification of children failing to meet thresholds, even if the parent is showing strong progress. • Searchable comments on metrics and objectives.
2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools 41
Benefits/Distinguishing Characteristics: What’s special about this tool (as compared to others)?
• Standardize on a performance management framework for your organization. As a flexible user-driven solution, SAS Sustainability Reporting allows you to create your own set of performance indicators, or follow externally published standard frameworks, including the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and other reporting templates. The solution makes it easy to add, adapt or create new performance indicators using its Web-based, point-and-click interface. The underlying performance management technology makes it easy to create hierarchical relationships, roll ups, formula-driven metrics and specialized visualization techniques.
• Know which metrics are related and which initiatives will have the greatest impact. Reporting on historical numbers is only half the story. Use SAS’ embedded analytics to understand relationships between metrics, run time series forecasts and perform simple what if scenarios. In return, you’ll get invaluable insights into the future and defendable statistics to support your strategy and commitments.
• Simplify data collection, improve data quality and provide an auditable record to support compliance needs. Automatically extract, transform and cleanse virtually any data, in any format, on any platform with ease. SAS provides complete transparency into the source of each data element for audit. Schedule the collection of data to meet your needs – monthly, weekly or even daily. Powerful analytics identify suspect data so that you may address quality issues before data is added to reports. Web forms capture manual data and show prior period results to help flag anomalies.
• Capture a single source of trusted sustainability business knowledge. You need a source of information that you can trust, both for internal planning and external reporting. By establishing a platform that is broad enough to handle multiple stakeholder demands yet nimble enough to respond quickly, organizations are positioned for optimal analysis and reporting efficiency. For internal problem investigation, navigate easily through hierarchical dashboards or strategy maps. Focus on hidden anomalies fast through flags and alerts. Share knowledge and collaborate by using notes and discussion threads.
• Communicate strategy, goals and objectives to facilitate effective execution. Engagement of internal stakeholders is a key factor in successful strategy execution. Employees at every level of the organization must have a clear sense of how their actions contribute to overall goal achievement. SAS’ visual strategy diagrams create compelling illustrations of the relationship between performance objectives established for various business units.
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Training and Support: How do people learn how to use the tool?
SAS is recognized for world class product support and training. Sustainability solutions are included in course materials, in-person classes, and online tutorials through http://support.sas.com/
Additional knowledge transfer is provided through SAS consulting or other implementation consultants during the project initiation. Peer forums are supported through SAS User Groups regionally and nationally.
Instructional manual: Is there a companion book or instruction manual that helps people use the tool?
SAS Publishing is a global enterprise committed to providing SAS customers and prospects with the highest-quality resources for learning SAS. SAS provides full documentation and support for software solutions.
2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools 43
SoFi Corporate Sustainability Solution
Tool Summary Owner/creator of the tool: PE Americas, joint venture of PE INTERNATIONAL and Five Winds International
URL: http://www.sofi-software.com/
Cost to purchase (in USD): Our pricing is based on number of system users and number of system administrators. There is no limitations on the number of users as for example a large European Manufacturing company will give its 100,000+ suppliers access to the SoFi system
Cost to become trained/licensed to use it (if appropriate): $
Information provided by: Margaret Zahller <[email protected]>; [email protected]
Details
Purpose: What does this tool do? SoFi software solution is a very powerful tool enabling efficient collection, storage, analysis, and reporting of environmental and sustainability data from operations all over the world. This allows organizations to measure their environmental footprint, track and manage their key performance metrics, and report to internal and external stakeholders. Based on data collected, SoFi calculates the carbon footprint and other environmental impacts automatically. It allows analyses and reporting according to several protocols or reporting standards (e.g. GHG-Protocol, CDP, GRI, etc.) in the same database at the push of a button. Reporting and analyzing of data is possible on company level as well as on division or even site and building level, including internal benchmarking.
Type of Tool: How do people access the tool (ie, is this software as a service, a software purchase, or do you install it on your mainframe)? SoFi is a web application that enables a large range of users to access a central database via internet or extranet. There are multiple deployment options: “on demand”, “remote hosting,” and “on premise.” The user-specific interface gives access rights according to user requirements e.g., a plant manager will only access data for his or her plant(s), while the SoFi system administrator will access all areas of SoFi and may edit the system structure.
44 2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools
Image 1: Principle of SoFi
Features: What can people do with the tool? • SoFi is a worldwide sustainability data collection, storage, analysis, and reporting tool, implemented
according to your organization’s requirements, for ongoing management and tracking of your sustainability information
• Data is entered or uploaded on a regular basis e.g., monthly or annually. • Users access the system according to their roles (e.g., data collection, data managers, view only users,
reports, system administration) and relevant locations/sites • Reports can be shared through the SoFi system according to user requirements, or exported. • Pre-defined report templates to allow analysis at the click of the mouse button or with flexible
settings (e.g., units), as well as ad hoc reporting. • Data collected, including historical data, is available according to data collection sub-cycles (monthly,
quarterly, etc) or annually • Workflow support such as tracking of data completion status, automatic notifications, and flagging
of out of tolerance information • Ability to set targets and track performance against the targets • Audit trail
Benefits/Distinguishing Characteristics: What’s special about this tool (as compared to others)?
• The system is very flexible e.g., it is not restricted to only energy and carbon topics but can be used for any type of quantitative and qualitative data, e.g., energy, water, waste, and/or social data.
• It is implemented according to the organization’s requirements. It can grow with and be administered by the organization, e.g., adding or modifying locations/sites, data collection topics, calculations, users, and reports.
• It can be used to perform Scope 3 impact assessments, from your organization’s activities (e.g., business travel), from data collected directly from suppliers, and/or from implementation of impact factors from life cycle inventory databases (e.g., upstream impact of purchased materials, or end of
2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools 45
life impact of sold products). PE is a world leader in life cycle assessment and has developed thousands of databases (many of which are only available internally) in over 20 years in LCA.
• We often work with customers to develop custom solutions i.e., if they have special requirements that are not standard to the system
• PE Americas, in partnership with PE INTERNATIONAL and Five Winds International, is the international market leader in strategic consultancy, software solutions and extensive services in the field of sustainability. We offer our strategic sustainability and environmental impact consulting services in addition to the SoFi solution.
• The solution is ideal for global business and complex organizations due to multiple language and unit options and our world-wide local support.
Image 2: Personal Dashboard
Training and Support: How do people learn how to use the tool? Organizations may procure the SoFi corporate sustainability solution through PE INTERNATIONAL or its subsidiaries and partner organizations, such as PE Americas and Five Winds International in North America. We implement the system according to the organization’s requirements and train the organization to administer the system. Support packages are available but not required.
Instructional manual: Is there a companion book or instruction manual that helps people use the tool? We provide manuals and support documents to our customers in the form of SoFi Help files and FAQ list (available online in SoFi), User Quick guides, and Training guides.
46 2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools
Image 3: Sample Results, Greenhouse Gas All Scopes Company Comparison
Image 4: Sample Results, Tracking Year-to-Date Performance against Target
2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools 47
SPaRK™ Sustainability Planning and Reporting Kit
Tool Summary Creator/owner of the tool: AXIS Performance Advisors, Inc
Cost to purchase (in USD): SPaRK-Lite is free off our website or with training. $750 for full product which includes:
• SPaRK file (Excel) • Copy of The Step by Step Guide to Sustainability Planning, and • Membership in SPaRK Support Network (includes podcasts for how to use worksheets in SPaRK.)
Cost to become trained/licensed to use it (if appropriate): Varies. $325 per person through International Society of Sustainability Professionals
Average cost and duration to install: $0; 0 person-hours
URL: www.axisperformance.com (direct link: http://www.axisperformance.com/SPaRK.html)
Description provided by (name and email): Marsha Willard, [email protected]
Details
Purpose: What does this tool do? The SPaRK™ (Sustainability Planning and Reporting Kit) tool helps an organization create a sustainability plan and capture performance data on common sustainability metrics. SPaRK is usually provided free with training but the companion instructional manual, along with The Step by Step Guide to Sustainability Planning, show you how to use SPaRK in different ways. It is intended to serve as a living record of an organization’s decisions, approaches, plans and results. The tool is built around an Excel file that contains worksheets that support a comprehensive planning process (e.g., impacts assessment, long-range plan, major metrics dashboard) and worksheets for most common sustainability metrics (e.g., greenhouse gases, living wage, sustainable sales, water, waste). These charts and graphs can be linked to a sustainability report. SPaRK also has preformatted worksheets to manage projects (e.g., team charter, project plan) and a worksheet to help you track the financial benefits of sustainability projects over time. The Excel file is accompanied by a supplemental guide that includes tips for leveraging the power of Excel as well as background articles on various steps in the planning process.
Please see this podcast for an overview of SPaRK features: http://www.axisperformance.com/SPaRK.html#Overview
48 2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools
2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools 49
Type of Tool: How do people access the tool (ie, is this software as a service, a software purchase, or do you install it on your mainframe)? SPaRK is built on Excel so is easy to use on any PC or Mac.
SPaRK-Lite (a handful of the most useful planning worksheets) is provided free as part of a sustainability planning and reporting workshop offered by AXIS or our licensees. This training is offered through a variety of sources the primary ones being one-day workshops offered by universities in various parts of the US and via distance learning format through the International Society of Sustainability Professionals, http://sustainabilityprofessionals.org/workshops. SPaRK-Lite can also be downloaded free from our website. http://www.axisperformance.com/SPaRK.html#Lite.
The full SPaRK product (files, book and membership in the Support Network) can be purchased from our website. http://www.axisperformance.com/SPaRK.html#Purchase.
Features: What can people do with the tool? • Create a sustainability plan—Worksheets help you choose credible sustainability frameworks,
conduct an impacts assessment, establish sustainability metrics and build a long-term vision and plan. Also build a communication plan and document the organizational structure you’ll use to manage sustainability efforts.
• Gather and report sustainability performance data—SPaRK has preformatted worksheets for many common sustainability indicators (water, waste, ghg’s, living wage, charity, etc.) The worksheets have built in formulas and charts to make tracking and reporting easy.
• Use SPaRK as a simple sustainability management system— Use it to record your data collection methods and conventions, your plan for managing your effort over time and more.
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Benefits/Distinguishing Characteristics: What’s special about this tool (as compared to others)?
• Easy to use and modify. It’s built on familiar and easy to use software (Microsoft Excel) that most organizations already own. No programmers needed.
• Helps you plan as well as gather/report data. • Stores all your critical sustainability information (plans, records of processes and methodologies,
results data) in one easy-to-access file. • Can be linked with MS Word files to automatically create updated reports.
2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools 51
• Affordable for even the smallest of businesses. • Large organizations have found it a good model for creating their own in-house systems.
Training and Support: How do people learn how to use the tool? SPaRK is the basis of a Sustainability Planning and Reporting workshop offered by AXIS Performance Advisors in a variety of venues including as an on-line, distance learning course. For face-to-face training, contact AXIS directly. For the on-line version, visit the ISSP web site at http://sustainabilityprofessionals.org.
52 2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools
Instructional manual: Is there a companion book or instruction manual that helps people use the tool? The SPaRK tool comes with a supplemental guide. For a more in-depth treatment of the sustainability planning process is provided in the authors’ book: Hitchcock, D and Willard, M (2008). The Step-by-Step Guide to Sustainability Planning. London: Earthscan.
2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools 53
Appendix— Sustainability Planning/Reporting Tool Input Form
Below is the input form sent out to people and organizations who wanted to include their tools in this directory. If you have a tool that you would like to have included in future editions, please request an MS Word version of this file or copy these contents into a Word document and then fill it out. We are not able to take responsibility for transcribing hardcopies that are mailed to us.
Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tool—Input Form
INSTRUCTIONS: The International Society of Sustainability Professionals wants to put together a directory of the various sustainability reporting tools available now or that will be available by the end of 2010. (We are looking for systems that capture sustainability data for organizations (businesses, municipalities, etc.) and produce sustainability reports or data to go in sustainability reports.) If you want your tool included in this directory, please fill out this form and return it to [email protected] by Aug 30, 2010.
Put the name of your tool here
Tool Summary Creator/owner of the tool:
Cost to purchase (in USD): $___
Cost to become trained/licensed to use it (if appropriate): $___
Average cost and duration to install: $___; ___ person-hours
URL:
Description provided by (name and email):
Details
Purpose: What does this tool do?
Type of Tool: How do people access the tool (ie, is this software as a service, a software purchase, or do you install it on your mainframe)?
54 2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools
Features: What can people do with the tool? •
Benefits/Distinguishing Characteristics: What’s special about this tool (as compared to others)?
•
Training and Support: How do people learn how to use the tool?
Instructional manual: Is there a companion book or instruction manual that helps people use the tool?
Images You can provide up to 4 images. This may include the logo for the tool, screen shots or sample results. Do not attach these visuals as they may get separated from your form. Embed them as a visual in this Word doc below or place them in your description where you want them to show up.
Descriptors Please categorize your tool by checking the appropriate descriptors. We intend to produce a table that compares all the reporting tools following this format. Please put your tool name (or abbreviation) in the right column and then use an X (please use a capital X) to indicate descriptors that apply to your tool. In some cases you may want to enter words instead of an X but please be brief.
Criteria Descriptor PUT YOUR TOOL NAME
HERE in the top row as a header and use X’s, words or
numbers below as appropriate.
Appropriate for large, complex organizations (eg, multinationals, organizations with many divisions)
Appropriate for medium sized organizations (500+employees)
Appropriate for small organizations (<500 employees)
Appropriate for micro-enterprises (<25 people)
Appropriate for consulting organization (client management)
App
ropr
iate
ness
/ So
phis
ticat
ion
(che
ck a
ll th
at
appl
y)
Appropriate for certain sectors (please list in column to right if appropriate)
Software as a service (SAAS)
Software purchase (including shareware) for use on desktop/laptop
Software installation on a mainframe
Typ
e of
tool
Other (please list in column to right if appropriate)
2010 Directory of Sustainability Planning & Reporting Tools 55
Sustainability planning (eg, long term plan, sustainability management system, etc.)
Data collection/repository
Report generator (eg sustainability report)
Calculators (eg, greenhouse gas, ecological footprint). (Please list in column to right if appropriate)
Too
l fea
ture
s
Other. (Please list in column to right if appropriate)
Training
Manual
Design/customization
Installation & Maintenance (application support)
Supp
ort a
vaila
ble
Help line (phone or chat)
PC/Windows
Mac
Web-based
Plat
form
Mainframe (specify platform in column to the right, eg, operating systems like UNIX,/Linux and/or application/enterprise software like SAS, SAP, etc.)
Global Reporting Initiative compliant or certified
Com
pli
ance
Supplier scorecards (please list any scorecards that your tool is compatible with, for example, Wal-Mart)
English
Lang
uage
s
Others (specify the languages available)
Environmental performance
Social performance
Top
ics
cove
red
(che
ck o
r lis
t in
right
co
lum
n)
Economical performance
Maintains audit trail for auditor
Aud
its
Allows access to a third-party auditor
Out-right purchase
Annual license
Installation and configuration
Cos
t (en
ter
the
field
s th
at
appl
y to
you
r to
ol)
Other (please explain in column to right if appropriate)