10 Questions You Should to Know about energy management software solution

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Don't forget that, according to most studies, energy accounts for one-third of a company's expenses. Therefore, many businesses, and the individuals within them, have recognized the necessity of having an energy efficiency plan.

However, before selecting or switching your energy management software provider, consider your needs, budget, and objectives.

How to Research EMS Tools

Once you've determined these factors, it's time to research. Here are three basic steps for conducting high-quality research on energy management solutions:

1. A comprehensive guide on choosing the perfect Energy Management Software. The ideal software isn't necessarily DEXMA’s; it’s the one that meets your current needs and facilitates future growth.

2. Search on Google. Focus on reading articles and reviews from other energy managers or professionals instead of vendor pages or ad results. Use the "news" tab for specific content.

3. Visit software review sites like Capterra. Explore different solutions and read user opinions.

4. Utilize DEMO accounts! If providers offer a free demo account, it's a good indicator of a robust product. Take the time to explore the tools.

Research shouldn't stop once you've found a potential energy software provider. Ensure their solution and business model align with yours, and the messages you want to convey to your clients or prospects.

At this stage, it's crucial to ask the right questions to the providers.

10 Questions to Ask Your Energy Management System Provider

This stage is particularly important if you've never used an energy management tool before.

You might not know which questions to ask your energy management software provider. Asking the right questions is critical because it provides you with real and actionable information to make an informed decision.

Based on our extensive experience, here are the essential questions to ask, shared with all of DEXMA’s blog readers:

1. What are my branding options?

   Branding your energy management platform is a way to offer a more customized service to your customers and increase your company's market presence. Differentiation is significant for many business owners in energy services companies or utilities, as it enhances the user experience.

   Even if you plan to use the tool internally, a branded platform can make it easier for users to familiarize themselves with the tool by aligning it with existing company tools.

   Ask your energy software provider about your branding options.

2. Can I create my own reports?

   Many providers offer reporting features, but how flexible and customizable are these reports? This is essential to discover, understand, and evaluate.

   As an energy manager working on multiple projects, you may need to produce different reports for various profiles. Understanding if your tool can support numerous customized reports and automate their creation and distribution is crucial.

   Ask your energy management software provider about the reporting options they offer.

3. How secure is my data?

   This is a major concern. Whether on-premise or cloud-based, data security is paramount.

   If you offer energy services, keeping your client's data secure is even more critical. Ensure your provider offers a secure solution, whether local databases or cloud infrastructure. Inquire about potential data loss or service interruptions in case of server issues.

   Ask your energy software provider about the security of your data.

4. How fast is your tool?

   Speed is crucial when dealing with large amounts of energy consumption data. Slow load times can waste valuable time and resources.

   Ask your energy management software provider how fast their software is.

5. Can I use your tool to verify savings?

   Understanding and demonstrating energy savings is critical. Tools for measurement and verification are essential for evaluating progress and making informed decisions about future investments.

   Such tools are often required for public tenders. Therefore, it's vital to have robust measurement and verification functionalities in your energy software.

   Ask your energy software provider which measurement and verification tools they offer.

6. How many users and levels can I have on the platform?

   Beyond costs, it's important to know if you can set up different user roles within the software. Different users might need varying levels of access to tools and features.

   Ask your energy software provider about user roles and their limitations.

7. What’s their hardware approach?

   The hardware approach is another pivotal aspect when selecting an energy management platform. It impacts compatibility, ease of integration, and future scalability.

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