TESTIMONIAL
SITUATION
Our discount retailer didn't have a clear idea of how much energy they were using, but they knew they could do better. With expansion plans for another 700 sites on their horizon and maintenance being such an expense, it wasn't clear how to reduce costs while reducing their carbon footprint. Overall, the discount retailer had difficulty with its incumbent energy management company and started searching for a better provider.
CHALLENGE
Entouch and the discount retailer piloted a three-store pilot in 2019, incorporating a comprehensive energy management and lighting controls solution. Due to the global pandemic, the installation process was also a challenge. After the pandemic hit, most of the discount retailer locations were shuttered. After re-opening, the Entouch installation crews performed their work after operating hours, in personal protective gear, and under stringent cleaning protocols. The Entouch Customer Success Team was able to help the discount retailer get back on track and work towards delivering successful customer experiences in 2020. The pilot successfully saved more than 14% in energy savings, which led to the implementation of the energy management solution across 100 locations. Entouch offered significant support from its solution at each location, saving more money.
SOLUTION
The most significant benefit delivered by Entouch was visibility. It enabled the discount retailer's store staff and the facilities team to contribute toward sustainability goals, improved performance, and lowered costs with a solution that they could control remotely — given their resource constraints. With such a slim margin for error, it's no wonder that many companies put all their emphasis on production rollouts. However, at Entouch, we know how much impact this one thing can make when you're outsourcing your services and still need information about what equipment is down or if they require maintenance — especially since these days everything seems to be automated. The satisfaction of delivering a proven, efficient and reliable solution while continuing to provide long-term savings is critical to Entouch. Our ability to promise savings is important while troubleshooting and producing actionable data is an enormous difference Entouch delivers. To maximize value, our discount retailer chose the Entouch.360 service that provides 24x7 monitoring and a concierge service that includes a lifetime warranty covering any hardware replacement, thereby maximizing their financial return while eliminating any unexpected costs. Entouch offers a robust reporting system enabling the discount retailer to understand what is happening with the HVAC unit: outside temperature, humidity, etc. Many locations are in aging buildings with outdated thermostats and limited facilities staff at the corporate and field level. Remotely maintaining their stores is an ideal solution. From 2019 to 2020, the discount retailer commissioned the first phase of 100 locations. This successful proof-of-value (POV) for Entouch.one and lighting controls were done during this period which paved the way towards their expanded energy management solution with dollar savings expected in 2021.
RESULTS
After only a few weeks, the rollout was placed on hold while the world came to a halt as the Coronavirus pandemic swept across countries. After several weeks, the Canadian Government allowed the discount retailers to re-open as an essential business. Shortly after re-opening, the discount retailer allowed the Entouch rollout to continue with the agreement Entouch would perform installation outside of the discount retailer's operating hours, wear personal protective gear (PPG) and abide by stringent cleaning protocols. The Director of Facilities Operations is a seasoned professional who had the foresight to see what Entouch could do for his company. He was able, with some lobbying, to convince management that it would be worth continuing the rollout at 150 more sites. Entouch continued to rollout our smart thermostats, allowing more comprehensive visibility across the discount retailer portfolio of stores. After the second phase, the discount retailer was impressed with Entouch's proven solution and found that having visibility to all their locations offered important benefits, and the energy consumption reduction was demonstrated. They added lighting to all phase 3 locations and load control equipment which helped them maintain quality standards. Entouch pivoted, making adjustments to the rollout plus retrofitting all phases 1-2 location rollouts, so now all locations are uniform.
Full coverage inside a single quarter
1,745
Stores brought online
20
Weeks from first install to full coverage
16%
Average reduction in annual consumption
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