SAN METEO, CALIF.—Outsource Development Software company Solve IT Labs has developed technology to help InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) hotels achieve their environmental goals. The software allows management to track and manage hotel energy, water and waste consumption for the world’s largest hotel group.
Green Engage software enables hotel owners to reduce energy costs by operating more efficiently. It measures energy and environmental metrics across eight areas of hotel operations. Hotels can measure, manage and report on environmental benchmarks.
Using the program, general managers at individual properties can enter facility data on site, and compare that data with information entered from similar properties worldwide. Based on a property’s data, the system generates a list of recommended actions that hotels can take to minimize waste and reduce their energy and water consumption.
Software Outlines Savings Opportunities
IHG’s Green Manage was developed so it would integrate with existing global sustainability metrics. It establishes a minimum level of sustainability and outlines opportunities to enhance and exceed the minimum. The system helps attract guests who prefer to stay in hotels that are more environmentally friendly.
“IHG conducted consumer research and learned their guests not only look at location, price and amenities when choosing a hotel,” said Rafael Soultanov, senior project manager over Green Manage. “They also care about a hotel’s environmental credentials. Solve IT Labs developed a comprehensive online system to address this. The energy savings are substantial—they could reach up to 25 percent.”
The software allows hotels to manage the elements of the hotel to see what is most effective. The owners can then take action. The action can be anything from insulating hot water pipes to recycling or switching to organic cleaning supplies.
“IHG has 4,000 hotels with brands including Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza,” said Soultanov. “By outsourcing IT development to Solve IT Labs, IHG saved on development costs as well as saving up to $200 million. They also reduced their carbon footprint. Both guests and management get progress reports so they can clearly see the impact they’re making.”
Go to SolveIT Labs.
