FM:Systems, a leading provider of integrated workplace management systems (IWMS) and facility management software, announced in October of 2010 the availability of FM:Interact’s direct integration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® energy performance rating system. The direct integration allows FM:Interact to seamlessly deliver ENERGY STAR performance ratings, the most widely used benchmark for energy use in commercial buildings. The FM:Interact integration takes building energy usage information stored in the FM:Interact Sustainability Module and sends it directly to the EPA’s Portfolio Manager software. Portfolio Manager calculates the building’s ENERGY STAR rating and carbon footprint and returns that data to FM:Interact. This data is also available to ENERGY STAR Partner organizations and other users of the EPA Portfolio Manager tool. Facility managers and real estate professionals can then benchmark their buildings against similar buildings nationwide, identify which buildings in their portfolio rank well and which need improvement, and recognize exemplary performing buildings with the prestigious ENERGY STAR Label. This information is becoming essential for companies interested in reducing their energy costs, carbon footprint, and gaining recognition through ENERGY STAR and LEED certification. The FM:Interact Sustainability Module helps facilities and real estate professionals bring environmental and financial impacts into balance. From a standard Web browser, users can manage critical information on energy performance, building certifications, and sustainability projects like energy retrofits. The Sustainability Module enables users to:
- Analyze building environmental impacts (energy, water, greenhouse gas emissions, recycling, waste and others)
- Forecast sustainability projects’ financial impacts (net present value, internal rate of return, ROI, payback period) and environmental impacts
- Integrate with EPA’s Automated Benchmarking System to calculate a buildings’ ENERGY STAR ratings, carbon footprint and more
- Manage building assessments and certifications using rating systems like Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), Green Globes, or BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM)
- Engage occupants and management with enterprise access to sustainability information and dashboards
