Paul Martin
Managing Director at TEAM
I hope you are all looking forward to the festive period ahead and back over a successful year 2014. At TEAM we have had a great year with a multitude of improvements to the Sigma Software including the launch of our free Sigma Energy Viewer, allowing you to share your energy information with site contacts.
The last 12 months also saw the introduction of our new ESOS service, a host of popular customer events, webinars and the launch of the Sigma Online Training Academy.
It’s hard to believe so much has happened in one year. So why not join me in looking back over the last 12 months. I will also give you a taster of what’s coming in 2015!
2014 – At a glance
In March & April we ran a popular series of 20 minute webinars to help customers get started on Sigma Energy Management Software and to learn more about the database structure of the software. For access to all of our recorded webinars please visit our Help Centre.
In April we validated the first fuel card bill on behalf of a customer. This new functionality is now included in TEAM’s array of energy and cost management products and services and allows software and bureau customers to monitor and report on fuel consumption data from vehicles. Read more.
April also saw our Independent Assessors achieve their fastest ever application approval for the Renewable Heat Incentive in 2 weeks from survey to approval. Read more.
May saw the launch of the new free Sigma Energy Viewer, designed to allow you to share your energy information with site contacts. Read more.
Following growing interest in renewable technologies, TEAM ran a series of free webinars on Monitoring Renewables in May. Read more.
The rollout of Sigma version 8 began in May including CRC Software version 3. Sigma version 8 is designed to allow scalability for multiple users in the browser environment and improve resilience when making changes.
I got to meet a number of customers at our popular series of Regional Support Groups in May and June with events in London, Birmingham, Belfast, Durham, Manchester, Sheffield, Exeter, Wales and Scotland. A record number of customers attended to see a variety of customer case studies and find out about new TEAM products and services.
Due to the high demand for our Hosted Services, we completed a significant investment project in our hosted environment infrastructure in August. The new servers are specifically tailored to host TEAM Sigma and Web Dashboards.
In October we launched our new ESOS Services with Ellen Salazar, Energy Services Team Leader, becoming one of the UK’s first qualified Lead Assessors. Ellen was later joined by Justine Grant, Energy Consultant at TEAM, who is now also a fully qualified ESOS Lead Assessor. Read more.
In November we launched our free online Training Academy supporting customers in the use of Sigma software. Initially 6 different courses are available for you to choose including Introduction to the Sigma browser and desktop interface, Database set-up and Energy Management Terminology. We are continuing to add to the Training Academy to provide a growing resource of training materials for new and existing users of the software. Click here to register and start learning.
Another sell-out RHI Heat Metering Training Course was held in November, helping attendees to develop their knowledge of heat metering requirements for the RHI entitlement. Another date was announced for January.
TEAM’s Annual User Group Conference in November once again brought over 100 customers up-to-date with current and future developments at TEAM. At this year’s event we introduced a new format featuring an even greater array of customer case studies, a customer expert panel, an expert guest speaker on water deregulation and a selection of round table networking sessions focussing on current industry topics including ESOS, RHI and AMR. View short video here.
At the User Group Conference we launched the new Sigma Importing Agent, which for our Hosted Services customers simplifies the transfer of data from a Building Energy Management System (BEMS) or any other system into a Sigma Database.
What’s coming in 2015
In the New Year, our software customers can look forward to lots more courses on the Sigma Training Academy, first to be added will be Bill Entry for all different commodities.
Early in 2015 we will be announcing Regional Support Group Dates for 10 venues in May and June.
We are currently developing new Reporting tools allowing more simplicity and flexibility for users in generating their own reports.
A new Bill Entry screen is also in development and will be simplifying bill entry on the Sigma Browser Interface.
Also in development is the continuation of a major infrastructure project to improve scalability and take advantage of the resilience and speed of cloud computing where computer power can be cascaded up on demand. For example this will make it possible for large numbers of people to access the Sigma Energy Viewer without affecting performance for other users.
As organisations, particularly in the public sector, are under even more pressure to find energy cost savings, we are adding to the already market leading bill validation tools in Sigma. New validators will be added to target savings in electricity standing charges and water.
We are expecting busy times ahead for our DEC Assessors in the run up to the lowering of the floor area threshold for buildings qualifying for Display Energy Certificates to 250 m2 in July 2015. With a high number of 7-year Advisory Reports for buildings over 1000m2 expiring in 2015, we will also be focusing on helping customers with their renewals.
Our qualified ESOS Lead Assessors are already helping organisations in the preparation for the December 2015 deadline. Find out more about our services.
On behalf of everyone at TEAM I’d like to wish you a lovely festive season and a successful start to 2015. We look forward to supporting you in the New Year with the challenges and demands that we all know that the ever evolving arena of energy management brings.