Green IT is Better IT
Author: Mike Lovell
Date: May 5, 2009
The following is a short article I wrote for the Halifax Chamber of Commerce Eco Solutions Newsletter. The entire newsletter can be downloaded here: http://tinyurl.com/dm72v4
Green Computing is the idea that we can develop computer systems and networks that are much more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. By using the latest in Green Computing Technologies, a business can better utilize its computer resources to save energy and help the environment. Fortunately, these are not the only benefits of green computing.
Your business can start saving immediately with no equipment purchases or changes in IT infrastructure. By starting with simple Green Computing Policies (like a computer shutdown policy), a company can make significant energy savings. Employees will take an active role in further reducing their company's carbon footprint. Companies are learning to address issues in a greener and more sustainable manner to ensure long term success. Organizations must learn to approach their IT this way as well.
Becoming greener should become a strong focus of your organization's IT over the next few years. By developing a green computing plan, your business can save on hardware and software costs. By utilizing technologies (like cloud computing and virtualization), less hardware is needed to do the same tasks. These changes can be brought in as part of your company's current upgrade plan. Your company can begin purchasing energy efficient computers that are smaller, quieter, and produce less heat. This helps reduce the need for air conditioning as well as create a more holistic office environment.
Green computing also provides an easier to maintain IT with less downtime. Green computing technologies make an organization's network, workstations, and servers easier to deploy and manage. By centralizing your organization's IT, important information is not stored on individual workstations and laptops. This prevents data loss through stolen or broken equipment while allowing information to be shared between employees more effectively. Your business can also gain better remote access. An employee will be able to access their applications and work from anywhere in the world. Their desktop can look the same at home as it does in the office.
Here are five easy ways your business can start Green Computing:
1. Turn off your computers when not in use. Create a computer shutdown policy.
2. Use sleep/standby instead of a screensaver.
3. Turn down the brightness of your monitors. The brighter your monitor, the more energy it uses.
4. Maintain and update your computers. Viruses and malware cause computers to use more energy.
5. Use double-sided printing.
