Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City

BCBS KC is a company committed to preserving the private healthcare market and helping organizations increase patient care. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City found itself wanting to improve the comfort of its own facilities. After several unsuccessful years of trying to make the existing HVAC and building control system work, the company issued an RFP to find a smarter solution. Control Service Company responded with a comprehensive response that couldn’t be overlooked. Blue KC would be able to ensure a more pleasant, comfortable environment for employees at all levels. By using Automated Logic technology at the project’s core, they also benefit from significant ongoing energy savings.

CSC’s estimators and project managers worked together to prepare a plan to overhaul the entire HVAC system. The plan included both Blue KC’s main corporate building and the company’s datacenter. Proposed work unfolded in phases over a three- to five-year timeline. Most importantly, the energy management system allowed the client to monitor both locations efficiently and cost-effectively. CSC’s project manager partnered with Don Layne, Blue KC’s lead operating engineer, to complete an energy analysis. They analyzed every piece of equipment affected by the system to validate a simple payback in 2.3 to 2.5 years.

After presenting recommendations to Blue KC’s executive team, CSC was given the go-ahead to proceed with the full scope of the project. Work on the datacenter began in August 2012, with the corporate headquarters to immediately follow. Nearing completion of the build, CSC delivered training that would allow the client’s engineers to login, familiarize themselves with how to access critical information, and manage day-to-day interactions seamlessly. This once three- to five-year project was then completed on budget in roughly five months to rave reviews of all involved. The new system allowed the client to give control back to its associates, removing lockbox covers off the temperature controls. Best of all, the client has seen a dramatic 40% savings on its winter energy bills while its employees thrive in an optimal environment.

“The Control Service Company team was comprised of good, knowledgeable professionals who were always willing and available to make adjustments throughout the life of the project. Not only are they more responsive than our former controls contractor, they have a better understanding of facilities operations in general and how their services impact other aspects of a client’s business. They are always cognizant of finding times to shut our system down to make changes without interrupting workflow and have a way to login remotely so we can problem-solve together.”

Don Layne,
Operating Engineer