Free web-based tool helps NZ businesses go green

Free web-based tool helps NZ businesses go green

As Kermit the Frog famously said, it's not easy being green. But for New Zealand businesses, it just got a lot easier with the launch of Envirostep, a free web-based self-assessment tool for small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs). This tool was developed by Optimation for the Ministry of Economic Development, and is designed to encourage businesses to take practical steps that benefit both the environment and their bottom-line.

Envirostep provides SMEs with a simple web-based questionaire that measures their environmental sustainability performance, then helps them to improve and get some business benefit by doing so. Users will receive a customised report containing a score, profile, recommendations for improvement and links to further information. Users can also upload the recommendations into the Envirostep Action Plan, to help them implement improvement actions and monitor progress. Once an initial benchmark is established, businesses can use the system to conduct further assessments.

Howard Markland, Senior Adviser on the Ministry of Economic Development's Eco-Verifcation Team, says they worked closely with Optimation to develop Envirostep.

"We approached Optimation because of work they had already done for other areas of the Ministry. We found their team to be flexible, resourceful and communicative, which made it a pleasure to work with them. Almost everyone who has used the tool so far comments on its ease of use and usefulness to business planning, which is critical to engaging SMEs in the self-assessment process. We're also happy with the modular format and the ease with which it can be extended or modified. This enables us to use the same platform for a diverse range of applications without requiring input from specialist technical staff," says Markland.

"This flexible design has also attracted the attention of larger organisations. Several are interested in adapting the tool for performance assessment and reporting across their corporate structure and supply chains. So far, those interested have included large corporate organisations, councils, the military, certification bodies and volunteer groups - and that was before the launch," Markland adds.

According to Optimation Chief Executive Rhoda Holmes, "We have relished being involved in a project that delivers value to all New Zealanders by helping SMEs reduce resource use and improve their environmental sustainability. At Optimation, we've already gained important benchmarks by using Envirostep ourselves, and we're pleased that larger businesses are now also recognising the benefits this versatile system can give them."

Envirostep comprises a backend database that supports the creation of custom questionnaires and the front-end web-based application. The web application is written in Microsoft C# using the new ASP.NET MVC web framework, which was chosen to more easily deliver standards-compliant web pages and meet eGov standards.

Envirostep can be accessed at www.eco-verification.med.govt.nz/envirostep.

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