Des Moines, IA (June 20, 2011) - Greengrade announces the direct integration with USGBC's LEED Online for submitting LEED certification applications. Greengrade is a collaborative online management software tool that allows LEED project teams to communicate, track and manage LEED project information from planning to submission. The new integration between LEED Online and Greengrade significantly increases efficiency in LEED project management by eliminating the need to manage documents and data in multiple platforms and/or software.

"We are thrilled that USGBC has taken the steps to enable direct integration with Greengrade's management software," said Mike Stuart, CEO of Greengrade. "Our goal is to continuously increase the efficiency in managing LEED projects, thereby increasing the viability of pursuing LEED certification. Integrating with LEED Online is a big step in the right direction."

In addition to streamlining the use of multiple software tools, Greengrade's direct integration increases collaboration across the whole project team and creates additional layers of accountability, accessibility and audit-ability. By increasing collaboration and directly communicating with LEED Online, Greengrade is able to positively impact the accuracy of LEED project submissions.

"Direct integration with management software like Greengrade allows us to continue to improve the LEED process for everyone involved," said Mahesh Ramanujam, Senior VP for Business Technology Transformation, U.S. Green Building Council .

By an invitation from USGBC technology leadership, Greengrade will be demonstrating its direct integration with LEED Online in a co-presentation with the USGBC at this year's Greening the Heartland conference in Cincinnati, OH on Wednesday, June 22. The company will also be exhibiting at the conference in booth #616 June 22-24.

As automation of the LEED process evolves, Greengrade continues to lead the way by integrating with a wide range of technology partners, including LEEDUser, GreenWizard and Submittal Exchange. These integration points serve as enablers for higher levels of collaboration and efficiency across the entire project team.

About Greengrade™

Greengrade is a collaborative online LEED® management software tool that allows project teams to communicate, track, and manage LEED project information designed for use by anyone charged with the onerous task of managing a complex LEED project - architects, engineers, owners, developers, sustainability consultants, and more. The software is web-based and allows a project team to collaborate on project information in a dynamic and centralized environment.

Greengrade is a subsidiary of Submittal Exchange, a collaborative, secure online system for exchanging, reviewing, and archiving construction submittals, RFIs, and other construction communications electronically. Thousands of design firms, contractors, and owners utilize the Submittal Exchange system on projects across the U.S. and Canada.

For more information, please visit www.greengrade.com or call 800.714.0024 x215.

About U.S. Green Building Council

The USGBC community is transforming the way we build, design and operate our buildings for healthier places that save precious resources for people to live, work, learn and play in. UGSBC is helping create buildings and communities that regenerate and sustain the health and vitality of all life within a generation. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Council is the driving force of the green building industry, which is projected to contribute $554 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product by 2013. USGBC leads a diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials, concerned citizens, teachers and students. The USGBC community comprises 80 local chapters, 17,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 150,000 individuals who have earned LEED Professional Credentials. Visit www.usgbc.org for more information.