Interview with ERM

January 24, 2025

About ERM

As a leading provider of sustainability consulting services globally, with over 160 offices in over 40 countries, ERM brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to managing environmental data and providing EQuIS™ implementation services. With deep experience in system implementation and change management, ERM takes an integrative approach to engage people, processes, and technology to harness the power of digital tools across client organizations.

EarthSoft Interview with ERM

Interview contributors: Theresa Kennedy, Technical Partner; Lacy Smith, Partner; Andrea Brazell, Technical Consulting Director; and Meghan Eschbaugh, Principal Consultant

[EarthSoft] What drove you to implement a centralized environmental data management system? What was the situational analysis or problems you were trying to solve?

[ERM] Our clients and stakeholders expect high quality data in the right format and at the right time to support decision making. Centralizing our technology and processes to optimize efficiency and quality was our goal, and selecting the right EDMS was a critical first step.

[EarthSoft] How did you choose the solution? Was it functional requirements, market research, reference from others? Can you describe the process?

[ERM] We started with functional requirements and then focused on research backed up by internal testing among our various stakeholders, including our end users. We took the time to carefully assess each solution against our requirements, keeping quality and efficiency as core requirements, and focusing on interoperability as key to long term success.

[EarthSoft] Why did you ultimately select EQuIS?

[ERM] A key driver was the EQuIS data model, which met our requirements for enforcing quality, and included the components that we were keen at that time to manage within an EDMS. Interoperability was a strong consideration – several of the other EDMS systems we investigated featured their own internal mapping and visualization components, while EQuIS focused on making it easier to use your preferred visualization and analysis tools. When we were investigating EQuIS (early 2000s) it was the only tool at that time to have a web front end, allowing us to connect our clients directly to their data.

[EarthSoft] Describe your environmental data management program(s), such as the number of environmental programs, geographical coverage, number of users, number of sites, other.

[ERM] With over 1,500 EQuIS users in over 160 offices in over 40 countries, ERM brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to managing environmental data. ERM supports over 15 EQuIS databases containing over 2,700 facilities. Our global network of data and technology specialists understand the business imperative to deliver data-driven value from liability portfolio obligations, capital project development, and daily sustainable operations. ERM’s approach takes a wider view to successfully implement a scalable end-to-end management of environmental compliance that harness the right technology, business architecture and data to increase value. A business led, IT supported approach, along with clear governance, change management and communications is critical to the long-term success of managing environmental data associated with an organization’s operations.

[EarthSoft] Can you provide either quantitative or qualitative improvements in your environmental data management processes post implementation? Gains in quality, efficiency, process, other?

[ERM] We have seen substantial increases in efficiency across numerous projects, with reduction in data management effort ranging from 20-40%. This increased efficiency leads to real-time decision making. We have also increased transparency in data processing and verification of data completeness, which has been a substantial benefit across all data management programs for ERM. Additionally, EQuIS implementations have notably enhanced data quality, particularly in validation activities.

[EarthSoft] Any lessons learned that you want to share?

[ERM] As with all software, the technology is only part of the picture. Be prepared to invest in your people and in developing a robust, governed, process to protect that investment. Investing up front in ensuring your data is of the highest quality pays dividends down the line as you seek to visualize, model, and ultimately consume your data through the many AI toolsets now available. In addition, we have found configuration of out-of-the-box functionality to be a better long-term at-scale solution versus developing customized reports, widgets, modules, etc.

Interview Contributors

Theresa Kennedy, Technical Partner

Theresa has 30 years of experience in data leadership, including data strategy, governance planning, data management, and data enablement for multi-disciplinary programs. She is a certified Chief Data Officer (CDataO), and directs ERM’s Capability & Data Excellence Center, delivering world class strategic technology services for core data systems, including ERM’s Artificial Intelligence (AI), Power Platform, and Data Science capabilities. Theresa’s focus is on building high performing teams, designing sustainable processes, and creating environments where ERM’s consultants and our clients can innovate and deliver world-class data and services.

Lacy Smith, Partner

Lacy is a senior data management and governance expert. With nearly two decades of experience, she has designed and implemented data management systems at a number of companies across North America and Asia. She specializes in data governance and optimization of data management workflows. Additionally, Lacy has provided project planning and management of these complex implementations. Lacy’s experience includes needs assessments, data governance planning, and strategy development as well as technical design and development. Lacy supports a global team of data professionals across ERM’s varied services.

Andrea Brazell, Technical Consulting Director

Andrea has nearly 30 years of experience in the environmental data and consulting industry. Andrea is a subject matter expert in Environmental Data Management Systems. Her experience includes supporting clients in developing data strategies, establishing data governance, and implementing environmental data management systems. Andrea 20 years of experience working with EarthSoft’s EQuIS suite of tools. She also has extensive laboratory and consulting experience on large-scale investigation and remediation projects.

Meghan Eschbaugh, Principal Consultant

Meghan is a Principal Consultant working in the Capability and Data Excellence Center at ERM with experience in managing and analyzing large data sets utilizing EarthSoft’s EQuIS suite of tools including Collect, Sample Planning Module (SPM), EQuIS Data Processor (EDP), EQuIS Professional, Enterprise, EnviroInsite, etc. Meghan currently leads Tech Enablement Support & Sustain at ERM, providing training and technical support for ERM and client project teams. Meghan draws on 17 years’ experience working with clients on Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments, as well as complex site investigations, remediation and risk assessment projects through a variety of government agencies performing a variety of sampling techniques in soil, surface water, and groundwater systems.

ERM is an EarthSoft Business Partner!

ERM is an EarthSoft Business Partner and provides implementation and support services for EQuIS™ software products. EarthSoft Business Partners have solution skills and capabilities with all EQuIS products, helping our customers increase efficiency, gain a competitive advantage, and drive innovation. Click on our Business Partner Program link below to learn more.

EarthSoft Business Partner

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