msp Tenant Case Study: i-Prophets Energy Services

Paul Barraclough, the Chairman of i-Prophets Energy Services is quoted as saying: “It is never too arrogant to expect a leading edge technology to change the world.” It is a bold statement but it is one which speaks volumes about i-Prophets values and aims. This is a company which began life as a new technology and, in just five years, has developed into a thriving business with the potential to make positive changes to how business operates today.

A specialist software company, i-Prophets have developed an innovative software application branded as ‘digitalenergy’. Based on artificial intelligence solutions, ‘digitalenergy’ offers a holistic approach to managing information on buildings, covering areas such as energy consumption and maintenance requirements. Property managers or owners can gather and analyse building information in a single, online system, optimising efficiency and, vitally in today’s increasingly regulated world, demonstrating compliance.

i-Prophets’ vision is to empower positive change through greater intelligence and, with phrases such as “carbon footprint”, “going green” and “environmentally friendly” having become increasingly common business catchphrases, their software solutions are actively helping both the public and private sectors to improve energy efficiency. It achieves this primarily through 'digitalenergy', which provides the tools to proactively manage all buildings, no matter what size or age, as well as measure the impact of environmental strategies in a tangible way.

The brainchild behind ‘digitalenergy’ is Wai Lau, now the company’s Technical Director. In 2002 former University of Manchester student, Wai spun a new technology into a Masters in Enterprise at the Manchester Science and Enterprise Centre (MSEC). After winning a £10,000 MSEC Enterprise Award, which was sponsored by msp, Wai formed his own company, Information Prophets Ltd, in 2003. i-Prophets energy services was subsequently launched out of this initial company.

Following the introduction in 2008 of new legislation to rate the energy consumption of buildings, i-Prophets’ software became one of only seven accredited products which enable the building owner to produce Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) and Display Energy Certificates (DEC).

As it has grown, i-Prophets has retained important links with both the University of Manchester and msp. In collaboration with msp, i-Prophets successfully trialled their energy logbook software at the Science Park’s Kilburn House, after which msp took the decision to roll the software out to all properties within its property portfolio. i-Prophets also delivered the first public sector DEC in the North West to Manchester Museum, a landmark property of the University of Manchester.

Having played a supportive role in the company’s development in a number of ways, msp has watched i-Prophets grow with particular interest. The success of Wai’s endeavours has shown the importance of nurturing innovation and providing a pathway to the support, facilities and people that can help grow a good idea into a successful, commercial enterprise.