What is Environmental Software?
Environmental software, also known as the tool for Environmental Management Systems (EMS), is a digital platform that helps improve a company’s overall environmental performance through tools that measure and analyze resource use like water and energy, and wastage or emissions. It may also support the sustainability initiatives of organizations; like digitizing data to go paperless or automating processes to identify and eradicate inefficiencies. While large conglomerates in energy, manufacturing, and agriculture are compelled to use this to succeed in corporate social and environmental responsibility programs, small to medium businesses may adopt this to enhance their operations, increase revenues, and build their reputation.
Importance
Organizations have to deal with real-world challenges like climate change, resource scarcity, and pollution, as it affects them and the people they serve. Integrating sustainable practices into the current system is a tremendous undertaking that requires effort and resources from the company. Environmental management software can help you achieve your goals more efficiently.
Increases efficiency – Ascertaining your operations are at par with industry standards requires constant monitoring. With the help of data digitization and workflow automation, processes like data collection, environmental risk assessment and analysis, issues reporting, and corrective and preventive actions can be accomplished with lesser errors and smaller funding.
Full collaboration – Achieving environmental and sustainability goals like reducing waste, minimizing carbon footprint, and cutting back on energy use, is possible when everyone in the organization is on-board. By using IoT (e.g., mobile connectivity, automated notifications, barcodes, sensors, and security cameras), employees can accomplish seemingly minor tasks to meet their company’s grander objectives.
Improved compliance – ISO 14000 is the most popular standard companies follow to improve processes, adhere to government regulations, and advocate for sustainability. Digital checklists and templates can help managers monitor and document routine tasks, document programs conducted, and generate compliance reports, which may be stored or shared with relevant stakeholders.
Enhanced sustainability efforts – Companies that integrate sustainability into their strategies are better positioned to adapt, innovate, and thrive in a changing business landscape. Analytics facilitates environmental performance assessment of their employees, helping managers decide if there is a need for additional training or education.
Better reputation – Organizations viewed as serious advocates for the environment get better access to capital and investments, engage and retain environmentally conscious and responsible employees, and improve their image to consumers. Building this kind of reputation is crucial for the long-term viability of businesses.
Key Features
Digital solutions that guarantee sustainability may seem incredibly complex (ergo, expensive) that some businesses decide to write it off from their plans. However, straightforward environmental management systems require the most rudimentary tools to work:
Data management (for collection and record-keeping)
Workflow automation (e.g., sensors, barcoding, monitoring cameras)
Corrective and preventive actions
Reporting with analytics
Compliance management
Emissions and waste management
Resource (e.g. water and energy) management
Collaborative tools
Third-party integrations
Mobile accessibility
Selecting the Right Environmental Software
All seven top-rated digital platforms detailed above will help your company achieve sustainability goals, however considerable and long-term it may be. Take another look at the options below:
Environmental Software | Free Version | Paid Plan | Mobile App |
SafetyCulture | Yes | $24/user/month* | Yes |
EnergyCAP | No | $2.17/meter/month | No |
Wastebits | No | $10/month | No |
Compliance Quest | No | $30/user/month | Yes |
GIS Cloud | No | $12/seat/month | Yes |
Denxpert | No | €60 (≈ $64) / month | No |
OpenEI | Yes | Free | No |
*billed annually
