Advice On Information Technology Savings In Process And Equipment

by tamarawilhite

posted on 11/06/2009

1. Install a virtual server and then combine several lightly used servers onto the single virtual server.
2. Instead of buying new servers for periods of high demand and then installing them with the plan of putting them in storage if demand declines, lease them. Instead of leasing new servers and setting them up for peak demand, consider renting cloud computing resources.
3. Set up hotelling stations at commonly used locations that traveling employees use. A hotelling station usually consists of a laptop and laptop docking station and internet access via a landline connection or wi-fi hot spot. Arrange use of these facilities for staff who alternate between several set locations and determine if they can use these hotelling resources instead of carrying a laptop with them or having a computer at the locations they alternate between, reducing the number of computers used.
4. Don't allow users to use screen savers for extended periods of inactivity. Instead, set up "hibernate" mode, which uses up to 90% less power.
5. When upgrading computer monitors, go to low power monitors or thin screens if they are energy efficient. However, it is important to not automatically process all computer screen upgrades to include two monitors for all who may request it. Replacing one moderately inefficient monitor with two efficient ones may not result in any energy savings.
6. Email signatures reminding recipients "don't print when its electronic" or "remember a tree when you print me" do not just result in less waste paper. They also result in less power usage as printers are used less frequently. As printing demand goes down, look for printers that can be consolidated and eliminated, saving equipment costs and energy demand.
7. Minimize the number of phones and gadgets assigned to employees. Use a single smart phone instead of a Blackberry and cell phone. Alternatively, dump the pager for those with a cell phone and simply use the cell phone as a pager as well. For those with a Blackberry and lap top computer, ask them to pick which device to keep in service. Not only does this reduce the risk of items being lost or stolen, it also reduces how much must be recharged at work or at home each night. Having fewer items with company data also reduces the risk of corporate information being lost.

Comment on this article

You must be logged in to post comments.

Previous Comments