TEAM’s Solutions Director Tim Holman explains why he believes organisations and businesses should be embracing cloud-based energy management tools.
Many organisations, both in the public and private sector, are now looking to cloud computing to help manage their energy consumption.
Those with multiple sites are looking at ways to share energy data with a large number of site contacts and employees. They want a system that can help them delegate energy responsibility to site level and provide a means for updates and feedback to be shared without delays right across their organisation. Cloud-based tools can provide the solution that enables this access, at any time, from anywhere.
So what is the Cloud and what are cloud-based tools?
Cloud computing or “the Cloud” is a solution growing in popularity and has become an increasingly viable business option in the last few years. In the simplest terms, cloud computing means storing and accessing data and programs over the Internet instead of your computer’s hard drive.
However, the lines between local computing (on a computers hard drive) and cloud computing can sometimes become a little confusing. That’s because the cloud is part of almost everything on computers these days, for examples: Microsoft One Drive, Dropbox and Microsoft Office 365.
A true Cloud-based tool is only in the Cloud and not a local computer, it utilises the scalability of the cloud with hundreds of virtual servers powering the software tools. And with an online connection, the Cloud can be accessed anywhere, anytime.
What are the advantages of the Cloud?
One of the main advantages is it removes the need to worry about maintaining the software. The beauty of cloud computing is that servers are off premise and out of sight. Suppliers take care of them fon your behalf and roll out regular software updates.
Cloud-based energy management in practice
An example of an organisation that has embraced cloud-based tools is Somerset County Council who has introduced the TEAM Sigma Energy Viewer, which allows site managers to see at a glance how much energy they use, make comparisons and interrogate costs.
With an energy management team of just three the council can’t physically go out to each of its 419 sites and manage the operational day-to-day use of energy.
They are using the TEAM Sigma Energy Viewer to help deliver the Council’s energy policy objectives and it has been well received across all of their sites. Site managers have been given logins so they can see the energy data for their site, including gas, electricity and water bills, as well as AMR data all in one place.
Simple, but powerful and effective this cloud-based tool empowers individual sites of an organisation to monitor their expenditure and energy use.
As well as being used by Somerset County Council, the TEAM Sigma Energy Viewer is also being utilised by many private organisations across the UK as well as in schools and by other Councils.
Time for Cloud-based energy management?
The ability to back up files, store them in the cloud has radically changed the way people and organisations use computers, mobile phones, and other Internet connected devices. An individuals personal music collections, or work files that a team are collaboratively editing together is something most of us use every day. No matter what cloud tool is selected, the benefit of being able to access it nearly anywhere is phenomenal.
These benefits are now available with cloud-based energy management tools. Having everything in one places is the ultimate key to managing and running a successful business. Companies are already reaping the benefits of cloud-based solutions for storing, accessing and processing data and in today’s ever-changing business environment, it’s essential that employees have access to the energy management information they need, when they need it.
NOTES TO EDITOR: For more information please call Anwen Evans, Marketing Coordinator at TEAM on 01908 690018 EXT 8133.)
About TEAM (Energy Auditing Agency Ltd.)
TEAM is the UK’s leading supplier of carbon and energy management solutions. With over 500 customers in the UK and worldwide TEAM specialise in energy management software, outsourced energy management services and energy consultancy. TEAM consistently produces energy savings that exceed the cost of our services and products.
Founded in 1985 by Managing Director Paul Martin, TEAM has customers from all sectors including Commerce, Industry and Government.
Visit the website at http://www.teamenergy.com for information about TEAM’s Hosted Services.
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