US software provider ESS has launched an updated version of its flagship product designed to help firms better monitor, manage and report on their environmental and CSR performance.

The company said that version 7.1 of its Essential Suite would provide firms with improved functionality for managing their environmental, health and safety, and crisis management strategy, including tools to measure greenhouse gases, monitor compliance with environmental regulations and enhance CSR software.

According to ESS, the suite also features an improved user interface and a range of new modules including functionality for auditing CSR strategies and reporting software that allows managers to track how well the company is performing against its environmental targets.

Robert Johnson, President and CEO at ESS, said that the software had been developed in collaboration with the company’s customers and would provide them with a platform for better managing CSR and crisis information at "both a tactical and strategic level".

Software for managing firms' CSR efforts has been identified as a major growth area by many software vendors over the last couple of years and a raft of companies are currently working on adapting traditional process management and reporting software solutions to meet the demands of CSR departments.

Most notably business applications software specialist Lawson last year launched a suite specifically aimed at CSR departments, while IBM has also signalled its intention of addressing the market. Meanwhile, a raft of smaller specialists and startups are targeting the space, including Enablon, ESP, credit360, StakeWare, Proventia, TechniData and CSRware.