IBM Envizi

The typical implementation process for IBM Envizi ESG Suite is designed to be scalable and tailored to an organization's sustainability maturity and data complexity. Here's a breakdown of how it generally unfolds:

Implementation Process Overview

1. Scoping and Assessment
   • IBM or its Business Partners assess your industry, number of facilities, and ESG goals.

   • They estimate the number of “Accounts” needed—units that track activity data, supplier data, KPIs, etc.

2. Package Selection
   • Based on data volume, you're placed into one of three bundles:
     • Essentials: Up to 1,000 Accounts
     • Standard: 1,001–5,000 Accounts

     • Premium: 5,001–15,000+ Accounts

3. Functionality Customization
   • You choose modules like:
     • ESG reporting
     • Scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions tracking
     • Supply chain emissions management

     • CSRD reporting and more

4. Deployment and Integration
   • IBM Envizi can be hosted on AWS for flexible data residency and scalability.

   • Integration with existing systems (e.g., energy, procurement, finance) is part of the setup.

5. Training and Enablement

   • Teams are onboarded with training on dashboards, reporting tools, and analytics.

6. Go-Live and Optimization

   • Once live, organizations can begin generating sustainability reports—often in hours, not days.

Typical Timeline

• Small to Mid-Sized Organizations: 4–8 weeks

• Large Enterprises with Complex Data Needs: 3–6 months

IBM Envizi offers a modular, scalable architecture that allows organizations to tailor the platform to their unique ESG goals, data complexity, and operational structure:

1. Modular Functionality

• Choose from a suite of modules:
  • ESG Reporting
  • Scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG Emissions Accounting
  • Supply Chain Emissions Management
  • CSRD Reporting
  • Decarbonization Planning

  • AI-assisted Forecasting and Scenario Modeling

2. Custom Emissions Factors

• Create and manage custom emissions factors for Scope 1 & 2 accounting.
• Options include:
  • Copy and modify existing factors
  • Build factors from scratch
  • Bulk upload via Excel for 10+ factors

• Supports custom regions and location-based factor sets

3. Data Tagging and Workflow Tools

• Customize ESG framework alignment using embedded questions and tagging tools.

• Streamline reporting across multiple standards (e.g., GRI, SASB, TCFD)

4. Integration with Enterprise Systems

• Connects with energy, procurement, finance, and other business systems.

• Hosted on AWS for flexible data residency and scalability

5. Account-Based Data Modeling

• Pricing and configuration are based on “Accounts”—units that track activity, supplier, and KPI data.
• You can scale from 1,000 to 15,000+ Accounts depending on business size

IBM Envizi’s pricing is not one-size-fits-all. It’s influenced by data volume, selected modules, and deployment complexity:

1. Setup and Configuration Fees

• May apply depending on:
  • Number of Accounts
  • Custom modules selected
  • Integration scope

• IBM Business Partners may set their own setup fees

2. Maintenance and Hosting

• Typically included in the subscription, especially if hosted on IBM Cloud or AWS.

• Additional charges may apply for advanced hosting configurations or geographic data residency requirements.

3. Support Charges

• Standard support is often bundled.
• Premium support tiers may be available for:
  • Dedicated account management
  • Custom reporting assistance

  • Regulatory compliance consulting

4. Add-ons and Custom Requirements

• Costs may increase with:
  • Advanced analytics
  • AI forecasting tools
  • Third-party integrations

  • Custom ESG frameworks or reporting templates

5. Discounts and Partner Pricing

• IBM offers estimated pricing through its calculator, which may include discounts.
• Final pricing is determined by IBM or its Business Partners and may vary

IBM offers structured training and support pathways to help new users get up to speed:

• IBM Envizi Implementation and Technical Fundamentals Course
  • Available via IBM Training platform
  • Includes quizzes and may qualify for IBM Digital Badges

  • Tracks progress and completion for enterprise learners and administrators

• Enterprise Learning Tools
  • Organizations can assign learning paths and monitor employee progress

  • Subscription-based access to curated training content

• Support Channels
  • IBM Support portal for technical assistance
  • Business Partners may offer localized onboarding and consulting
  • Notifications for planned maintenance and updates are sent to enterprise admins

IBM Envizi is built with enterprise-grade security and compliance in mind:

• Data Protection & Processing
  • Detailed in the Software Product Compatibility Reports (SPCR)

  • Includes architecture, containerization, and supported software/hardware specs

• Privacy and Compliance
  • IBM Trust Center outlines global privacy commitments

  • Requests for privacy or security support can be submitted via IBM Support

• Hosting Flexibility
  • Can be deployed on AWS or IBM Cloud, allowing for regional data residency controls

IBM Envizi maintains a proactive update cycle:

• Subscription to Notifications
  • Users can subscribe to receive email alerts about product updates and documentation changes

  • Notifications include release notes and links to updated documentation

• Update Management
  • Updates are managed centrally and communicated via IBM Support
  • Admins can set delivery preferences and frequency (e.g., daily HTML emails)

Data Ownership

• Your organization retains ownership of all data uploaded and processed within the Envizi platform.

• IBM Envizi acts as a processor, not a proprietor, of your sustainability data.

Data Portability

• You can self-serve and retrieve uploaded data files directly from the platform:
  • Interval meter data: accessible for up to 6 months

  • Account and setup data: accessible for up to 18 months

• For older data, you can submit a support ticket to have IBM retrieve archived files.

• Raw data from external sources (e.g., APIs or third-party providers) is not stored indefinitely—those providers are responsible for long-term retention.

Contractual Access

• Your data remains accessible within the platform for the duration of your contract.

• After contract termination, access to historical data may be limited unless previously exported.

Flexible Account-Based Model

• Pricing and functionality are based on “Accounts”—units that track activity, supplier, or KPI data.

• You can start with as few as 1,000 Accounts and scale up to 15,000+ Accounts as needed.

Modular Expansion

• Add or remove modules based on your ESG goals:
  • Scope 3 emissions tracking
  • CSRD reporting
  • Decarbonization planning

  • AI forecasting tools

Geographic & Functional Scaling

• Supports expansion across regions, business units, and sustainability frameworks.

• Hosted on AWS or IBM Cloud for flexible data residency and performance scaling.

Scaling Terms

• Scaling up typically involves:
  • Adjusting your subscription tier (Essentials, Standard, Premium)

  • Updating your contract with IBM or its Business Partner

• Scaling down may require:
  • Reducing the number of active Accounts
  • Removing unused modules
  • Re-negotiating contract terms at renewal

Renewal Terms

• Automatic Renewal: Many IBM SaaS contracts include auto-renewal clauses unless explicitly canceled before the renewal date.

• Notification Period: Clients are typically required to notify IBM of non-renewal within a specified window (e.g., 30–60 days before contract end).

• Tier Adjustment: During renewal, organizations can scale up or down by adjusting the number of Accounts or modules.

Cancellation Terms

• Early Termination: May incur penalties or require payment of remaining contract value.

• Data Access Post-Cancellation:
  • Interval meter data: accessible for up to 6 months
  • Account and setup data: accessible for up to 18 months

  • Archived data may be retrieved via support request

• Third-Party Contracts: If purchased via a Business Partner, cancellation terms may differ and be governed by that partner’s agreement

ESG & Sustainability Reporting Standards

• GHG Protocol: Supports Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions accounting

• CSRD (EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive)

• GRI (Global Reporting Initiative)

• SASB (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board)

• TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures)

• CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project)

Data Security & Privacy Compliance

• IBM Trust Center: Outlines IBM’s global privacy and security commitments

• SPCR (Software Product Compatibility Reports):
  • Details architecture, containerization, supported software/hardware

  • Includes Data Processing and Protection data sheet

• Hosting Options: AWS or IBM Cloud, allowing for regional data residency and compliance with local laws