Locus Technologies Receives Vendor Rating

Locus Rated by Leading Analyst Firm

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., 11 May 2009 — Locus Technologies (Locus) today announced that Gartner, Inc., the leading provider of research and analysis on the global information technology industry, has rated the company “Promising” in a recent report.

“Locus is very pleased to have received a Gartner Vendor Rating. Our current customers already know the value our Cloud Computing solutions bring to their environmental information management challenges” said Locus President and CEO, Neno Duplancic. “We believe Gartner’s coverage of our firm confirms our position in the market and our commitment to providing customers with cost-effective and innovative SaaS software solutions that meet their current and emerging environmental data and information management needs, including addressing upcoming GHG and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) reporting.”

Locus’ flagship environmental data management system EIM is used worldwide to manage and report environmental data and information and is managing over 100 million environmental data records for some of the world’s largest companies. Locus’ ePortal provides the platform to bring together Locus’ modular applications into a single integrated solution that can be tailored for environmental compliance, greenhouse gas tracking, or environmental health and safety (EHS) tracking depending on a company’s individual need. Locus’ EHS module also provides GRI indicator tracking and reporting capabilities. All of Locus’ solutions are on-demand providing customers with cost-effective and timely implementation options to meet their business requirements.

 

VENDOR RATING DISCLAIMER
The Vendor Rating is copyrighted 21 April 2009 by Gartner, Inc. and is reused with permission. The Vendor Rating is an evaluation of a vendor as a whole and is based on Gartner’s assessment of the vendor’s vision and execution for a product or service, relative to Gartner’s analysis of clients’ requirements. It is not intended as a comparison relative to competitors in the market. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in the Vendor Rating, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings. Gartner disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

Gartner “Vendor Rating: Locus Technologies” by Dan Miklovic, 21 April 2009
The complete report is available to Gartner clients at www.gartner.com.

For more information, visit www.locustec.com or contact Ms. Marian Carr at (650) 960-1640.

Locus to Present Cloud Computing for EHS Management at EUEC 2009 in Phonenix, AZ

Join Locus at the EUEC 2009 Annual Conference & Expo in Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, AZ., 1-4 February 2009 |Booth #827 —Locus will present a paper on Cloud Computing solutions for the EHS industry and display our newest cloud computing products (eEHS and eTask) as well as our flagship product EIM.  Please visit us at Booth 827 and see the systems that are changing how environmental professionals manage, analyze, and report environmental data and information.

Is a large portion of your environmental data sitting in spreadsheets and home-built databases?

Robust enterprise databases are standard tools in other industries, but, for whatever reason, the environmental business has failed to fully embrace them. What happens to the sampling and analytical data generated from the investigations, cleanups, air emissions monitoring, or operation and maintenance of a company’s sites? For many, it is entered into spreadsheets, a commercial client/server database, or a home-grown database—with spreadsheets often being the most popular of these alternatives.

Let’s suppose a company has 10-million analytical records stored in spreadsheets and databases dispersed across multiple offices. Our research shows that the average cost to organize, manage, and report this data through independent systems over a 3-year period would be more than $2 million. Stop by Locus’ Booth #827 and let us demonstrate how using our Locus EIM on-demand data management system can drop your number by 85%—or more than a staggering $1.7 million.

 

Locus Presents | Cloud Computing Solutions for Global Environmental Sustainability Reporting, by Marian Carr and Robert Albo | Session G5: EMIS and EHS | Tuesday, 3 February 2009 1:40 pm

Locus’ Environmental Software Provides US Virgin Island Refinery with Key Savings

Hovensa Moves to Cloud Computing with Locus’ EIM Software

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., 12 January 2009 — Locus Technologies, the industry leader in web-based environmental compliance and information management software, today announced that the Hovensa Refinery in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands has selected Locus Technologies Environmental Information Management (EIM) system to streamline managing environmental sampling and remedial operations data at the refinery.

Hovensa is a joint venture between subsidiaries of Hess Corporation and Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA). This refinery is one of the ten largest in the world and one of the most modern in the United States with a crude oil processing capacity of 500,000 barrels per day (BPD). Hovensa operates its facilities on 2,000 acres on the south shore of St. Croix and receives and processes crude oil from around the world.

After reviewing available options to manage their environmental data, Hovensa opted for EIM to meet their demanding requirements, which include a single data repository accessible by all their vendors, regardless of location. EIM’s cloud computing platform was the ideal system to provide the access desired and the robust data management features to address both sampling and operations data.

“Locus is excited that Hovensa selected EIM and is using the system to its fullest,” said Locus President Neno Duplancic. “It’s very gratifying when a customer fully embraces the system and its potential to not only manage their data but to drive cost savings through data collection and report automation. Using EIM’s flexible interface, Hovensa can streamline sample planning and data validation using mainland contractors and labs and produce automated reports of operations status all from the same system.”

Locus’ Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) SaaS Module Offers Expanded Greenhouse Gas Tracking

Locus’ Enhanced eEHS Moves Corporate Sustainability Reporting Higher into the Cloud

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., December 22, 2008 — Locus Technologies, the industry leader in web-based environmental compliance and information management software, announced today the roll out of its updated eEHS on-demand environmental health and safety software, specifically designed to serve the multi-national marketplace.

The updated eEHS module enables enterprises to collect compliance information from any location at any time via a native Web 2.0 platform, using a simple, intuitive interface. eEHS enables customers to easily review and evaluate data, spot issues or trends, and create reports and roll ups on corporate EHS status. With eEHS, companies centrally manage and report in real time all governance, risk and compliance (GRC) data, including greenhouse gas (GHG), Sarbanes-Oxley, energy consumption and water and waste usage information.

In response to an increased focus on greenhouse gas reporting, environmental sustainability and GRC reporting, Locus revamped its eEHS application, enhancing environmental and sustainability indicator tracking and reporting. Key new features include the addition of a robust ad hoc query capability that produces boardroom quality reports with a single mouse click—all delivered through Cloud computing or SaaS. eEHS’s new multi-language capability significantly enhances the user experience and reduces training. Because eEHS is offered via the Internet, there is no software to install and no hardware to purchase, streamlining global roll outs and reducing costs.

One of Locus’ long term customers, Alstom, an international leader in equipment and services for power generation and rail transport solutions, recently deployed the enhanced Locus eEHS worldwide. Operating in more than 70 countries and employing some 76,000 people, Alstom is enjoying the improved work flow and ease of data collection offered by eEHS. Sustainable development is central to the Alstom strategy and Locus software is helping Alstom meet its strategic goals.

“Locus eEHS is elegant in its simplicity,” said Locus President and CEO Neno Duplancic. “Collecting and reporting KPI information from hundreds of global locations is a challenge faced by every company operating internationally. Locus’ eEHS solves this problem by offering a very targeted software application via the Web, making data collection painless.”

“Our web-based eEHS provides businesses instant access to global information at a fraction of the cost of any installed on premises system,” continued Duplancic. “With the new regulations dealing with global warming issues just around the corner, companies must manage EHS issues carefully to avoid the risk of non-compliance. Now Locus’ customers have an on-demand software tool that consolidates all reporting activities into a single platform and that carries no implementation risk.”

Locus Introduces eTask for Real-Time Messaging and Notification, Simplifying Compliance Management

Retooled and revamped, notification and messaging layer, rounds out Locus’ environmental solutions suite

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., October 6, 2008 — Locus Technologies (Locus), the industry leader in web-based environmental compliance and information management software, announced the release today of eTask, a comprehensive task management module, rounding out Locus’ award-winning on-demand environmental compliance software portal suite.

Armed with eTask, executives in companies responsible for Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) and Enterprise Performance Management (EPM), now have a powerful tool to support Environmental, Health and Safety (EH&S) regulatory compliance. eTask provides automated notifications of task initiation, management and completion, spanning all of Locus’ portal suite applications. Locus’ eTask streamlines and automates daily environmental compliance activities through key features such as asset level tracking and compliance activity reminders.

With the proliferation of new regulations such as greenhouse gas requirements, managers must track EH&S carefully and on time. eTask simplifies the job by graphically monitoring key performance indicators (KPI) through dashboard reporting. eTask employs a graphical interface based on Web 2.0 technology that immediately notifies appropriate personnel of critical actions, ensuring the company stays in compliance, potentially saving both dollars and reputation.

eTask tracks a permit’s status relative to regulatory requirements and generates associated task assignments. It provides automated graphical ticklers and e-mail notification, logs when tasks have been completed and sends alerts when tasks are pending or overdue. These requirements can be linked to corporate assets or entities, or to any other vertical application such as EIM or even third party applications. Compliance status management reports can be rolled up to any level within the organization and are fully auditable and verifiable by eTask.

While many businesses analyze corporate performance by looking in a rear view mirror—crunching historical data to link results with causes and resolving problems after the fact, Locus software enables its users to proactively manage environmental compliance. Because Locus’ software suite helps analyze EH&S performance and operations in real time, organizations can more effectively capitalize on opportunities and reduce cost.

eTask features a robust database and reporting engine along with a high degree of user customization. Users can create assets, place assets in groups, assign single or grouped assets to tasks, and assign tasks to multiple staff with configurable notifications based on customer specific workflow.

As with other Locus solutions, eTask is offered as Software as a Service (SaaS), so customers do not need to install any software, or buy and maintain specialized servers to run the application. When purchased with ePortal and eSite modules, eTask includes the compliance dashboard for user-profile based views of actionable compliance tasks and status. eTask can be used for single sites or over an entire portfolio of sites.

“Locus eTask is the ‘action engine’ of our ePortal,” said Locus President and CEO Neno Duplancic. “eTask software aggregates information from distributed assets or permit submittal requirements and keeps responsible parties informed of necessary actions. It gives businesses insight into which compliance events will have the greatest operational impact so they can focus their resources to seize opportunities and mitigate risks” added Duplancic.

Environmental Risk Services (ERS) Selects Locus’ Environmental Software

Another Large Port and Former Navy Site Selects Locus Technologies Software

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., August 21, 2008  — Locus Technologies (Locus), the industry leader in web-based environmental data and information management software, announced today that Locus EIM was selected by Environmental Risk Services (ERS) to manage environmental data for a former Navy site and large Port in California.

The Port facility is one of California’s largest, and consists of over 1,400 acres, 5 million square feet of warehouses, 1 million square feet of transit sheds, 1 mile of dock, 40 miles of rail track (including a switching yard), and 500 acres of open land.

Locus’ EIM environmental data management system is the most widely used on-demand environmental data system in the world. EIM is the system of choice for many of the world’s largest companies, but it is also a very cost effective choice for large and complex single site applications where access, security, quality assurance, flexibility and data validation are important. EIM offers customers a very robust environmental database coupled with outstanding visualization and integration tools to let customers view and share data with all project team members as well as integrate with other common specialty environmental software. EIM’s Software as a Service delivery model is also ideal for single site applications as the customer eliminates hardware/software purchases and maintenance and buys just what they need for as long as they need it.

“Locus EIM is the perfect software solution for ERS as it will let them focus on what they do best, solving complex environmental problems, and not focus on installing and configuring hardware, servers, and software,” said Locus President and CEO Neno Duplancic. “EIM gives ERS the ability to collaborate easily with all project stakeholders at this large and important site. ERS will take advantage of EIM’s features including laboratory analytical data management, graphical visualization, Google mapping and a full featured geologic module to manage geologic and geotechnical data. We are very pleased that shortly after the Port of Los Angeles, we added another large Port to Locus’ list of transportation clients,” said Duplancic.

“ERS is very pleased with our selection of Locus EIM. We provide professional services at complex environmental sites and had over 10 years of data and hundreds of thousands of records that were becoming increasingly difficult to manage using desktop systems. With EIM, we can now quickly access our data, and more importantly share the data with our clients,” said Steven Michelson, PG. “One key factor in the selection of Locus EIM was the on-demand nature of the system, which allowed us to quickly get up and running. Being web based, we can access the data from the field and the office, and also invite our clients to review their own data 24/7, which is a huge plus for ERS and the Port,” said Michelson.

In addition to Locus EIM, Locus provides advanced enterprise environment information management software systems to the environmental industry. Locus’ ePortal product gives small and large enterprises a world class option for management of all environmental data from compliance tracking to business continuity tools in a simple easy to use dashboard based system.
ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS SERVICES
ENVIRONMENTAL RISK SERVICES, CORPORATION and its sister company QUANTITATIVE RISK & INSURANCE SERVICES, CORPORATION offer the marketplace a unique combination of environmental engineering and scientific expertise and specialized insurance brokerage services. We reduce risk by adding certainty. Our consultancy seamlessly manages and resolves our clients’ environmental liabilities by simultaneously and comprehensively addressing both technical uncertainties and financial risks. As a result, our clients receive complete and cost effective solutions to their various environmental risks and exposures. By aligning the interests and goals of our clients with coordinated technical and insurance services, our clients avoid the competing profit interests created by unrelated brokerages and environmental companies.

Environmental Data Management

Data published by the Environmental Business Journal indicate that the U.S. environmental industry generated cumulative revenues of about $300 billion dollars in 2007. The industry grew over 5 percent, its second consecutive year of growth greater than 5 percent and, by many indicators, one of its best years ever.

Although such numbers would seem to be cause for celebration, some troubling trends persist within the industry. Notable among these is its failure to embrace the information management revolution that has had deep and far-reaching impacts on so many other business sectors.  In particular, this failure to adopt the latest technologies for storing, distributing and managing information increases the costs and delays the cleanup of contaminated sites.  In this white paper, we discuss the role that consulting companies play in misinforming their clients about the data management options available to them.

Most companies “own” their financial, human resource, customer relations, and other data. This information typically resides on computers located in the company’s facilities, or it may be housed off site in data centers managed by an outside party. Regardless of which alternative is adopted, both are similar in that:

  1. Information is stored in a consistent and organized manner in central databases
  2. Employees within the company have, to the extent that their privileges permit, continuous and unimpeded access to this data.
  3. Companies unquestionably own the data and are able to change support vendors at will.

The manner in which companies with environmental liabilities manage and store their environmental information and data stands in marked contrast to the model that they have adopted for all their other key data.  Historically, environmental consultants and narrowly focused applications built on spreadsheets and client/server databases have served the complex software requirements of this market.  Today’s landscape of available technology options has consolidated and new and better options exist.  While planned IT spending on environmental software is rising, organizations are still struggling to identify software and service providers that can support environmental information management in the manner to which they’ve become accustomed with other enterprise initiatives and enterprise software, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer management (CRM), and supply chain management (SCM).

Locus adds Port of Los Angeles, the largest port in the U.S., as a customer

Locus Technologies selected by the busiest port in the United States

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 5, 2008 — Locus Technologies (Locus), the industry leader in specialty environmental services and web-based environmental software, has been selected by the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners to perform environmental site assessment, soil and groundwater investigation and cleanup, environmental compliance assessment and environmental information management services for the Port of Los Angeles. The agreement with Locus is valued at $1,890,000 for a 3-year period.

Mr. Paul Parmentier, Locus’ Southern California regional manager, will be project manager for the Port of Los Angeles project. The contract further consolidates Locus’ presence in the rapidly expanding and fiercely competitive California transportation market. Locus is happy to be one of the Port’s principal environmental partners. The Port of Los Angeles, a premier US gateway for international trade and commerce, is located in San Pedro Bay, just 20 miles south of downtown Los Angeles. This booming seaport is not only considered the busiest port in the US with its record-setting cargo operations, but is also known for its groundbreaking environmental initiatives and progressive security measures. The Port encompasses 7500 acres, 43 miles of waterfront and features 27 cargo terminals, including dry and liquid bulk, container, breakbulk, and automobile and omni facilities.

The Port project will be supported by Locus’ cutting edge flagship environmental management software product, ePortal, a web-based platform that runs key environmental data management applications. Locus’ ePortal leverages Web 2.0 technologies such as Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), mashups and vertical searches. It also stores and organizes all of the customer’s environmental data and information. Locus is the only environmental services organization able to offer such powerful data management and organization capabilities to its clients.

“Locus is pleased to support the massive operations at the Port of Los Angeles with our unique blend of environmental consulting and management. This project is an example of the specialized consulting and advanced information management services Locus provides our clientele that result in faster and less expensive remedy selection, implementation, and ultimate site closure,” said Mr. Parmantier, Locus’ Southern California Regional Manager for Locus Technologies.

“We are very pleased to add another Port client on the list of transportation companies that Locus has served since its inception. Our expertise for environmental liability management, coupled with the state-of-the art technology for environmental management was the winning combination that resulted in the Port of Los Angeles choosing our company,” added Mr. Neno Duplancic, President and CEO of Locus.

Locus CEO presents environmental data challenges at Carnegie Mellon West

Environmental Industry Software: A Growing Data Management Challenge

CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY, SILICON VALLEY, Calif., 9 April 2008 — Bay Area based Locus Technologies is in large part responsible for the creation of an emerging technical sector— the storage and management of environmental industry data. Even conservative estimates project rapid growth in the environmental information arena, with an increasing need for software tools to store, manage and manipulate data. Such data includes the massive amount of complex information collected during environmental cleanup projects, air emissions, greenhouse gasses monitoring, and other activities, which in past practice was stored in various distributed locations from spreadsheets to PDAs to field notebooks. Locus stores environmental industry data in an online central database, making it accessible via the Web and available for analysis, visualization, and reporting, leveraging Web 2.0 technologies such as Service Oriented Architecture, mashups, and vertical searches.

 

ABOUT DR. DUPLAN
Carnegie Melon alumnus Dr. Neno Duplan is the founder and CEO of Locus Technologies where he has
pioneered the application of an Internet based on-demand computing model for data management in the
environmental industry.

Dr. Duplan is the author of more than 30 technical papers on the use of technologies in the environmental
industry. As a research associate at Carnegie Mellon in the early eighties, he developed the first prototype system
for environmental and geological data management and display using microcomputers. This early work led to the
development of numerous database management systems at some of the nation’s largest contaminated sites, and
ultimately to the formation of Locus Technologies in 1997.

Dr. Duplan earned a Master’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Carnegie Mellon, Master’s and
Ph.D. degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Zagreb, Croatia, and a Bachelor’s degree in Civil
Engineering from the University of Split, Croatia. He attended Stanford University’s Advance Project Management
program, and has taught classes at Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, UC Berkeley, and the University of Wisconsin.