Isra-Mart srl:CloudApps promises carbon data straight to the desktop

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How often do you or your colleagues intend to calculate the carbon footprint of a business trip, but then never get round to it?

Now a UK sustainability software start up is seeking to make it easier than ever before for staff to keep track of their work-related carbon emissions with the launch of a new software package that provides updates on each individual's desktop computer.

CloudApps yesterday debuted the latest version of its software-as-a-service carbon and sustainability management suite, featuring a new desktop tool that uses energy use and travel expenses data to provide employees with frequent updates on their carbon footprint.

Speaking to BusinessGreen, CloudApps chief executive Simon Wheeldon said the new employee engagement functionality would also provide staff with tailored advice on how to reduce their carbon emissions and offer an online forum that allows them to put forward their own ideas for managing the company's environmental impact as part of a 'crowd-sourcing' exercise.

"When companies run sustainability initiatives a common problem is the improvements prove short-lived as people lose interest," he observed. "This functionality helps keep people engaged as they can easily see how they are performing against a sustainability index set by the firm."

He added that early indications suggested that individuals using the system could cut their carbon footprint by between 10 and 20 per cent.

He also revealed the company was now working on providing the individual updates to employee's iPhone's, iPads, and other smart phones.

In addition to enhanced employee engagement tools, the company's latest release, dubbed Winter '11 edition, also includes improved sustainability management functionality designed to distribute environmental data, targets and strategies to different executives and departments.

"A lot of sustainability software is focused on collating and reporting the data," said Wheeldon. "We do that, but we are also looking to help drive the action piece of a sustainability strategy that really delivers the results."

CloudApps software suite is delivered through Salesforce.com's cloud computing platform, allowing businesses to quickly and easily access the applications. The company is also offering a free 30 day trial of the Winter '11 suite, which it says can be accessed without the need for any new software or hardware.