Continuous Commissioning (ConCom)

A logical strategic approach to carbon and energy management

Over the last 10 years, ABS Consulting, a consultancy service provider to owners, managers and occupiers of buildings, has enhanced and consolidated its service products to be delivered through the process of Continuous Commissioning (ConCom). To increase the commercialisation of this umbrella offering, KTP Associate Nadia Karagianni was appointed to lead the development of the Continuous Commissioning (ConCom) package which would present ABS' Carbon and Energy Management services in a more tangible and standardised way expanding the reach of its consultants and the company's market share.

The brains behind the Continuous Commissioning service is Director of ABS, Jim Ure, who explains, "it embraces the whole idea of carbon management and energy efficiency, from the initial concept of a building right through to demolition and building the next one. Involvement can take place at any stage." Jim also mentions that although there are many competitors in each component of the product, there are few, if any for the whole ConCom process. "We now have a product to offer that provides us with t a marketing advantage and our clients with a service that enhances value while recuing or containing operating cost."

Continuous Commissioning, now the firm's main offering when delivering energy efficiency, carbon reduction, improved maintenance, optimum operation and post occupancy evaluation, was developed into a packaged service offering by the KTP Associate in two stages. The first stage was about developing a promotional package that revolved around creating client facing corporate communication such as marketing brochures, case studies, sales presentations and a restructured website, all stressing a uniform corporate identity and a clear value proposition. The second stage was about developing analytical tools and support material to enable internal training, standardise analysis and reporting and to allow for the development of licensing agreements. This consultant facing analytical package included manuals of ABS' services and automated spreadsheets for Carbon footprinting, energy monitoring and scenario assessment. On applicable projects delivery time was reduced by 40%.

The new Continuous Commissioning package is currently being implemented for a client with over 200 UK sites, a great achievement for ABS and the Associate. Nadia is extremely pleased with the work that has been accomplished on the KTP and is ready to begin new employment at ABS as a 'Carbon and Energy Management Consultant.' " Coming into the company as an outsider enabled me to see things with a fresh set of eyes and gave me the opportunity to lead positive change. The KTP had a tangible impact on the way ABS is both attracting and delivering projects."

London South Bank University (LSBU) academics Phil Jones and Mikko Arevuo were thrilled the progress the project made. Not only did the KTP provide them with valuable experience in their fields of industry but it also enabled them to validate theories and use live examples to feed into teaching. "This was such an excellent project because it transformed, so smoothly, a scientific project into a commercial proposition. Nadia was a key player in this transfer, the ideal Associate," said Mikko.