Microsoft signs up Aus eco geeks

Australian cloud computing eco-warrior Carbon Systems has scored its most significant deal to date with a global Microsoft agreement.

Carbon Systems’ Australian developed cloud app, Enterprise Sustainability Platform (ESP), will be implemented across Microsoft’s 600 global facilities across 110 countries.

Microsoft has selected CarbonSystems as its vendor of choice ahead of more than 30 software vendors following an extensive, rigorous tender process.

The energy management solution provider secured the international contract due to its ability to use cloud computing to simplify and streamline Microsoft’s global greenhouse gas management in addition to providing a stakeholder reporting solution

The solution will allow Microsoft to track key environmental indicators and performance across its portfolio of real estate and data center assets. “We view CarbonSystems as a key part of our effort to achieve Microsoft’s business and environmental sustainability goals. CarbonSystems’ ESP will enable us to efficiently collect, analyse and share environmental data, delivering new levels of understanding about the resources we use.” said Rob Bernard, chief environmental strategist at Microsoft.

The privately owned and funded Australian company with digs in London, New York and Sydney, started in 2004 developing its core technology for electricity smart meters readings.

The company has also been supported by business incubator ATP Innovations and now has over 110 clients globally, 25 of which have stemmed from the sustainability software market which the company entered three years ago.

The head of Carbon Systems Operations in the Americas Ralph Breslauer said in a blog post that the “potential of the nascent enterprise sustainability software industry will hinge on the ability to handle large, diverse volumes of nonfinancial data – such as energy, fuel, emissions, waste, water, and climatic information – and to provide cloud based applications that support businesses in making intelligent decisions impacting their financial and environmental performance."