West Marine, a boating supplies and accessories retailer, implements an energy management platform from Site Controls at several pilot locations in Southern California.

The pilot program began in August 2007 when, with the help of Site Control's Site-Command building automation platform, West Marine began monitoring and collecting baseline information for building temperatures and lighting levels at the sites. The company went live with the system in April of this year, noting significant energy savings each month. By ensuring heating, cooling, lighting and signage equipment are functioning effectively and in accordance with company standards, Site-Command helps lower energy and maintenance expenses without sacrificing customer comfort. Additionally, West Marine gains real-time, online access to its data from a PC or hand-held device.

As part of the pilot, West Marine also participates in a demand response program with San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E), facilitated by Site Controls Intelligent Load Management (ILM) technology. West Marine will temporarily reduce electricity demand during peak usage periods to avoid blackouts and reduce carbon emissions. The entire demand response process is automated via an electronic signaling capability managed by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Site Control's ILM technologies helps retailers generate incremental revenue, save energy, protect the grid from rolling blackouts and improve their brand image. These tools continuously monitor retail locations so building conditions stay within the pre-defined parameters, including maximum building temperature, maximum CO2 concentration, and minimum lighting levels. This helps enables the maximum energy savings while protecting the stores' ability to do business as well as its brand image by ensuring a comfortable store environment
 

QVC offers the Bill Me Later alternative payment method to enhance the shopping experience for its customers online, in the call center and via automated phone service.

Bill Me Later, an alternative payment technology available online and in call centers, helps improve the customer experience by delivering convenience and flexibility.

"Bill Me Later was an attractive choice for QVC in delivering an alternative payment solution to our customers," says Mark Tabak, QVC's vice president of administration. "Through our alliance with Bill Me Later, QVC is further enhancing our customers' shopping experience."