Effective energy management is the cornerstone of decarbonisation. As organisations reshape their daily operations to meet their net-zero obligations, utilities are now firmly a boardroom-level conversation.
However, energy management is often the responsibility of a small team or one person. Therefore, external support is in demand. Third-party intermediaries (TPIs), such as energy consultants and energy brokers, are becoming an increasingly crucial resource for organisations seeking comprehensive energy and carbon management solutions.
The landscape is also changing for TPIs. The energy crisis has exemplified the value of expert advice and changed what clients ask from their consultancies when it comes to mitigating rising energy costs. Voluntary and involuntary Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting has also become a c-suite level priority, and consultancy services to carry out effective reporting are in high demand.
While in the past an energy consultant may have been sourced mainly for procurement support, clients now want everything from compliance to net zero solutions under one system. TPIs can also help their clients remain compliant with their ESG disclosure reporting by providing clear, accurate data for utilities and carbon reporting.
Meanwhile, TPIS are facing the same operational, staffing and costing challenges as their clients. Whether you are looking to improve the operational efficiency of your business, upsell more products to grow your revenue, or improve your client satisfaction and retention, utility management software can support you. SystemsLink offers the UK’s most sophisticated energy monitoring and targeting software package and unparalleled implementation services for energy consultants.
So how can an energy software support consultants and TPI brokers?
- Create a firm data foundation for your clients: Invoices are often an inseparable element of a consultant’s day. Not only does utility bill data allow you to track a client’s consumption, but pinpoint and rectifies errors and inefficiencies. SystemsLink can receive and automatically import metered consumption information from all major Data Collectors, Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) Providers and Suppliers across all utilities by using a process called “data automation.” The SystemsLink team will support you in setting up your automated metering data collection from your provider. Once received, the data is downloaded into your software package and is available to be used in reporting. Not only does data automation enable better decision-making, but supports increased efficiency, cost savings and better carbon management.
- Opportunity to rethink your business processes: Good process and organisational design allows you to offer a reliable service for your clients. Having a robust system in place supports effective planning, and a software solution can help you make rapid large-scale decisions – repeatedly and well.
- Improve operational efficiency: An effective software solution can help your organisation become more scalable, removing the need for manual labour. This now means you have resources to distribute to other tasks. Delivering services becomes quicker and cheaper while lessening the need to recruit more staff.
- Support with repetitive tasks: An automated solution which supports you with tasks such as bill validation minimises the chance of human error and frees you to focus on your clients and prospects. SystemLink’s PDF Auto Tool converts PDF files into a standard format, ready for import into your invoice validation software.
- Focus on value creation: SystemsLink’s software solution supports you in demonstrating your value to your client as a trusted expert energy partner.
- Identifying efficiencies and savings is one of the key reasons why external consultancy is sought, and your expert advice must be supported by the latest market information available. Market Eye shows you the latest market prices for UK gas and electricity, so you can secure the best prices for your client. Market Eye also provides Day Ahead, Months, Quarters and Seasons insights. You can support your procurement discussions by viewing and exporting up to two years of market trend history.
- A Budgets tool can support the creation of budgets for any contract type, inclusive of future non-commodity cost forecasts.
- To help turn all this insight into tangible benefits, the Energy Manager software allows you to monitor and report on your clients’ energy data and validate their invoices, pinpointing waste, overspend and savings opportunities.
- Competitive advantage: Humans need their downtime, while a software solution does not. Avoiding downtime means avoiding loss of data and money. The SystemsLink software allows you to keep up your service levels through systemisation and maintenance while you attract more business. As your organisation grows, the SystemsLink team can help optimise your system or provide additional training to your growing team.
- Easy to implement and start using: SystemsLink invests circa £2m per annum in product development to ensure the software is easy to use, high-performing and delivers the utmost value. The team will guide you through using the software, and support you throughout the implementation process, answering any questions along the way. With the training and support from the skilled Implementation Project Managers, you can feel confident you’re getting the very best use out of your software, catering to your client’s tailored requirements.
Software for energy brokers can act as a powerful tool in supporting clients’ impactful utilities decision-making. If you would like to know more about how SystemsLink’s software package can be tailored towards your and your client’s needs, please do not hesitate to contact our support team at sales@systems-link.com
