January 4, 2009

Speedy ROI with Quick Green IT Fixes

Bookmark and Share Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Though nearly half (42%) of IT departments have no plans to launch projects in the next 12 months to reduce energy consumption or carbon emissions – according to a 2008 ComputerWorld survey – plenty of CEOs and CIOs do agree that IT will play a very important role in their efforts to reduce environmental impact.

Still, many see green as an unnecessary increase in expenses, and many are reluctant to “fix” something that’s not broken – that is, mess with IT processes that work and re-engineering them to make them more efficient, ComputerWorld writes.

But rising energy costs are a big motivating factor for them to rework at least a little, according to IDC’s “U.S. Green IT Survey.” And many initiatives to reduce energy consumption will have near-immediate paybacks, within 18 months, said Gartner analyst Rakesh Kumar.

Among the quick ROI projects that will save money:

  • Power management, such as making sure that employee’s desktops “sleep” at night and during other times of inactivity. Management features on desktop PCs can save $50 per computer per year, and  enabling power management tools on monitors can save another $12 to $90 annually per monitor Other devices that draw power (e.g., fax machines, printers, copiers) can also be identified and turned off when not in use.
  • Set new procurement policies that specify that all new equipment must be Energy Star-compliant.
  • Enable more telecommuting and teleconferencing.
  • Consolidate data centers and control the temperature in those in operation. Scottrade recently identified air flow issues in its Arizona data center and was able to safely reduce air conditioning levels by making a few minor design changes.

Reader Comments

There are no comments for this story.

 

Advertisers

Get EL Daily in your inbox, subscribe to free newsletter

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

  • 03/19/2010
  • 03/18/2010
  • 03/17/2010

Recent Jobs

Post a Job
Jobs powered by Simply Hired

Comments and Discussions

Jim on EPA Launches Hydraulic Fracturing Study
"I am sure none of you that are opposed to energy industries actually use any. Instead of investing your..."

Allen Brown on New Dasani Bottle Made Partially of Plant Material
"Score for coca cola co on the Ad for new plant bottle 1) actual plant bottle C+..."

Bob Pojasek on Environmental Mission Statements: A List of Hotel Sustainability Policies
"Great posting, Matt. It would be interesting to follow up..."

Elif on Las Vegas Sands Feeling Lucky With Eco 360 Initiative
"The Sands deserves commendation for this initiative! It’s a great example."

NanJing Ko on Environmental Mission Statements: A List of Hotel Sustainability Policies
"Good job to set up sustainability for hotel. I do like to see..."

Nancy J. Wilson on Environmental Mission Statements: A List of Hotel Sustainability Policies
"Well done! As a green meeting planner, asking for a..."

David Miller on Environmental Mission Statements: A List of Hotel Sustainability Policies
"Excellent overview of top hotel groups! As very much..."