Apogee Interactive Unveils Latest Generation of Online Customer Engagement Software at 18th Annual INNOVATIONS Conference

ATLANTA, Sept. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- At their 18th Annual User Group Meeting, "INNOVATIONS," held in Denver, Colorado, last week, Apogee Interactive unveiled the latest software enhancements, shared new products, and presented an exciting slate of applications queued for development in 2012.

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Dr. Andrew Heath, Senior Director – Energy Practice, presented the JD Power 2011 Residential Customer Satisfaction Survey findings. His remarks created a fitting backdrop for the remainder of the program because Apogee's focus is on applications that both achieve results and move the customer satisfaction needle. Not surprisingly, many of the top ranked utilities each year are long-time Apogee customers.

Apogee's Chief Software Architect, Joel Gilbert, P.E., shared how the totally recreated HomeEnergyCalculator™ combines an engaging graphical user interface with a sophisticated analytical engine.  It integrates usage, rates, real-time weather, and billing information to provide customers answers to their most pressing questions including: Why did my bill change, Where are my energy dollars going, What changes should I make to my home, and How much will those changes save?

Besides increasing customer satisfaction, getting results and achieving energy efficiency goals are key drivers to Apogee's product development. According to Gilbert, "Customers using the latest generation of Apogee's online bill analysis tool are reducing energy use by 4-5% and are five times more likely to participate in utility programs."

Andy Schechter, Director of Sales, shared Apogee's newest developments including mobile applications, the HomeEnergyCalculator's™ behavioral comparison and pledge modules, and ProgressInsights™, an application that sends customers quarterly reports on the savings they have achieved by making changes in their home or lifestyle. He also shared special purpose calculators (SPCs), the most popular of which is the Electric Vehicle Cost Calculator, designed to help utilities get out in front of electric vehicles becoming high bill complaints. Other SPCs in use today present comparisons of different rates, heating systems, cooling alternatives, online billing, water heating, lighting, and pool heating options.

Perhaps the most captivating demonstration of the meeting was Schechter running Apogee's new IVR energy analysis application operating within a Georgia utility's billing system. As part of his presentation, he dialed 855-LOW-RBIL on his iPhone, entered an account number, and selected the option, "Explain my Bill."

In closing, Gilbert announced Apogee's latest energy education initiative, Eco-Stewards(SM), where high school students learn to identify energy efficiency options and to commit their families to energy stewardship in the home. The first pilots will be announced later this year.

About Apogee Interactive

APOGEE Interactive Inc. (www.apogee.net) is a leading provider of online energy efficiency solutions to the utility industry. A woman-owned business founded in 1993, APOGEE's energy analysis applications are currently in use by more than 600 utilities across the US, reaching millions of customers daily. APOGEE's clients span a wide range of leading investor-owned, public power, and cooperative energy companies including Southern Company (SO), Con Edison (ED), Westar (WR), NSTAR (NST), American Electric Power (AEP), Entergy (ETR), SMUD, TVA, Salt River Project, PowerSouth, Wabash, and Flint Energies.

SOURCE Apogee Interactive