Nowadays, there are a myriad of technology providers bidding on projects – both large and small organizations – and many of the same choices hold true as they did during tech’s early days. The choice, go with a large generalized technology firm, or go with a specialized provider.
Having lived through a number of technology selections and understanding the typical results, I want to share some pros and cons of this selection.

Cost and Timing
The adage – No one was ever fired…, was coined because a company like IBM (or other integrated consulting/tech organizations) would get the project finished, whereas smaller tech firms faced the possibility of delivery and solvency issues (certainly in the post Y2K days). However, the true question to ask about those who selected the safe option was ‘how much and how long’? Maybe the project had a greater chance of getting finished, but how much over budget and past the original delivery deadline did it take? Dealing with a company with so many organizational levels costs a lot of money, both upfront and for ongoing maintenance and development changes. Even when upfront bid amounts between companies may be quite close, you can be assured that the back end charges from the larger provider are going to add up, much faster.

Agility & Flexibility
With large technology organizations, solutions are often times built off of a standard platform that is used across multiple industries. This technology is adapted for the situation, and must be upgraded and evolved with all of these industries in mind. What this means to the company that just purchased this technology, is that when new changes are requested, they must be integrated into a large platform, which means time, money and a solution that is not specifically built for the problem. Niche players live and breath in a specific industry, and often have a much more targeted solution for the project that is built for flexibility. With a niche player, often times new changes fit into the overall strategy of the vendor’s product, and are built as an evolution to the product. When this is the case, the provider is eager to get the new change to market, to allow the value proposition of their offering to continually improve.

Size
Large organizations have a strength in numbers, so this is often times a calming influence when tight deadlines approach. However, one interesting question all procurement people should ask during the sales engagement is this – how many of the people that have shown up for the sales demonstrations are going to be actively involved in the project? Often times with large organizations, the specific details learned during the sales cycle are not passed down properly to the project teams, as the sales team has moved on to other opportunities and didn’t bother to properly document each promise made. In spite of a large firm’s overall employee numbers, the size of the team concentrated on a given industry may be equal to or less than a niche player, who solely focuses on that segment 365 days a year. So in the end, do you want the team that knows the industry inside and out, or the team that brings outside knowledge into the project when issues arise or deadlines approach?

There are certainly a number of questions and deeper analysis that should take place to make sure any niche provider is worthy of a meaningful project, such as the financial viability of the company and the scalability of the team, but it’s certainly worth a deeper look to consider the up and coming technology company vs. the larger organizations that are a more risk-adverse selection, but may not live up to all the promises made during the sales engagement.

Parachute Software competes in tracking demand side management programs against both small and large providers.

We will be attending several informational sessions about demand side management (DSM) to hear how electric and gas utilities are implementing, tracking and managing demand side management programs.  The conference kicks off on Monday with an overview of demand side management, where The Cadmus Group will provide discuss the following:

Agenda – http://www.aesp.org/associations/5980/files/Agenda%20Ntl%202011.pdf

Website - https://m360.aesp.org/ViewEvent.aspx?id=22499&instance=0

Parachute provides software to track and manage demand side management programs for utilities.

More updates to follow, as well our check the latest news on demand side management programs from the Parachute Software Twitter account

Parachute Software is also there to show support to the host organization, the Automotive Recyclers of Canada, who have a large contingent of members and associates interested in providing their insight to the international audience.

www.irt-autorecycling.org

“Software that tracks sustainability programs cuts costs and improves visibility

Simply making environmental change isn’t enough. You have to be able to show people what you’ve done.

That’s the idea behind Toronto-based Parachute Software’s products. The firm’s custom-designed, Web-based software allows environmental programs to track and measure their progress – and hence, their success.”

Source: The Globe and Mail

Read more…

Parachute Software offers a dsm tracking solution to manage the process and data necessary to track and report on energy efficiency programs. To date, Parachute Software solutions have already reported thousands of gigawatt savings through Lighting Replacement and Appliance Retirement.

Dave Linton

Excerpt:
As jurisdictions around the world adopt feed-in tariff policies, the requirement to track and report on eligible projects is increasing. Parachute Software’s technology can manage the full lifecyle of a project from initial interest to consultation and assessment to installation. This is a critical step to ensure the process is simplified and information is clear and available for forecasting and reporting.

Energy Efficiency / DSM Tracking Brochure Side 2

Excerpt:
Parachute Software partners with governments and utilities to help manage and expand energy efficiency incentive and rebate programs.

Software capabilities:

- Modern, web-based software that requires no installation and ongoing maintenance

- Integrated Online Sign Up forms for program participation and self-service.

- Secure, role-based access for program stakeholders to track information and report on progress

- Automated Incentive Processing

- Multi-Program/Utility Support to reduce overhead cost

- End-user Administration to manage program changes

- Offline capabilities for on-site assessment

- Integration to External Systems/Data

Dave Linton

Here is our perspective on the various solutions on the market and what you should consider before selecting a DSM/Energy Efficiency tracking software platform.

Parachute Software has an Energy Efficiency/DSM tracking platform that can help your organization achieve success in the various programs you choose to deploy. We have the experience required to implement and support various programs including lighting, recycling of appliances or any other energy efficiency programs.

Energy Efficiency/DSM Case Studies:

Small Business Direct Install Lighting Program
http://www.parachutesoftware.com/customer-success/nova-scotia-power/

Retire old, energy-inefficient refrigerators and freezers Program
http://www.parachutesoftware.com/customer-success/chill-out/

If you are interested in learning more about the Parachute Energy Efficiency/DSM tracking software platform please feel free to reach out to us for a demonstration.

Ryan Vankessel
Toll Free within North America: +1-877-850-2871 or International: +1-289-288-3921
Email: sales@parachutesoftware.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/parachutesftwre