IBM and Sydney-based Supply Chain Consulting are working with up to 40 local customers to implement green management strategies.

The companies are participating in a ‘pilot program’ in Australia, in which IBM has included Supply Chain Consulting’s CarbonView software within their Green IT offering.

The results of the pilot will be examined by IBM as a test case for rolling out the program globally, according to Tony Carr, CEO of Supply Chain Consulting.

The deal is one of several that Supply Chain Consulting has inked with systems integrators and professional services firms locally.

This week, the company also announced a new global alliance with Kepner-Tregoe, which will use the software to implement and track its recommendations on carbon abatement at customer sites.

“We’re currently talking with a lot of big [SI and professional services] players, like Accenture, Pricewaterhouse Coopers and Cap Gemini,” said Carr.

“A lot of them are waiting to see which way the legislation in Australia goes [before partnering up].”

Kepner-Tregoe coming on board early is typical of the way they operate, Carr said. The firm provides issue resolution-style consultancy services predominately to industrial blue chip customers – and high emitters – such as steel and concrete manufacturers.

“They work with customers proactively to help get them ahead of green issues, so partnering with us early is reflective of what they already do with their own customers,” said Carr.

Supply Chain Consulting said it is looking for other specialised partners, including management consultancies, environmental and engineering specialists, technology providers and IT systems integrators.