Atlanta-based Southern Co. has joined a collaborative effort of20 companies to create the largest survey of business energy use.Southern, the Regional Economic Research (RER), Opinion DynamicsCorp. and the Gas Research Institute plan to survey more than10,000 businesses across the U.S. to obtain detailed information onenergy usage as well as attitudes and behavior of energy buyers.The database and analysis system, called the National BusinessEnergy DataMart, will be packaged with software that providesdetailed analysis down to the individual customer level. Resultsare expected to be available next February.

“The National Business Energy Datamart will enhance our effortsin obtaining vital retail business decision and behavioralinformation,” said Charles M. Plunkett, Southern’s manager ofmarket research. “The energy supply business is rapidly evolvingfrom protected regional monopolies to a competitive nationalmarketplace. Utilities need to broaden their understanding ofcustomers from those we were obligated to serve, to being able totarget the most profitable customers.”

Dun and Bradstreet will assist the sample design effort byproviding access to its database. The database of survey resultswith a data analysis system is being offered at a $5,000 discountfor those that purchase before the end of the year. To sign up,contact RER at 800/755-9585 or by e-mail at info@rer.com.

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