Green IT Investments That Pay
There are also "green" IT investments that can help an IT department run more effectively. Virtualization technologies -- from servers to storage to desktops -- not only reduce power consumption but also protect a company's data and are an efficient way to manage a company's operations.
Other recommended strategies for greening a company's data center include HVAC improvement strategies, water cooling, efficient power supply and conversion, and on-site power generation. Despite the cost savings of a more power efficient data center, for the small to midsize business, often the initial financial outlay can seem overwhelming. But it's important to note that there are ways to green a company's data center easily and cheaply, and the fiscal rewards can be fairly significant.
Green Regulations to Come?
Green computing is also getting the attention of policy makers and regulations could be coming down the pike that will force the greening of all IT departments. Writes InformationWeek: "IT execs would be wise to keep an eye on more than the economics of energy-efficient computing. Energy consumption has gotten so huge--U.S. data centers consume as much power in a year as is generated by five power plants--that policy makers are taking notice and considering more regulation. A group of government and industry leaders is trying to set a clear standard for what constitutes a "green" computer, a mark that IT execs might find themselves held to."
But beyond the economics of going green, and the fact that businesses will eventually be forced to adhere to some sort of green legislation, are the intangible benefits that ultimately contribute to a company's success. A "green reputation" helps with employee retention and recruitment. CIO quotes Chris Mines, senior vice president with Forrester Research: "[Employers] see the surveys that say young people are greener, and that's a differentiator for them in the war for talent."
Moreover, adds Mines, environmental sustainability will eventually be seen "as a better way to do business, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because major stakeholders -- including shareholders, nonprofit environmental organizations and customers -- will demand it. Because IT is a large contributor to the greenhouse gas emission problem, it also has an opportunity to be a big part of the solution."
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