Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
extending refresh cycles provides an easy mechanism to reduce the envi-
ronmental impact of technology operations. A four-year workstation
replacement cycle instead of a three-year cycle, for example, reduces the
number of machines that must be produced and purchased each year.
Care should also be taken to ensure that equipment disposal after end-
of-life addresses concerns that hazardous materials might be released into
the environment.
Energy Options
Because data centers are often placed in out-of-the-way locations, they can
provide excellent opportunities for early adoption of alternative-energy
micropower generation systems. Energy demands of large data centers
during peak hours place a strain on power generation and distribution
systems that can be alleviated through partial energy sustenance provided
by alternatives such as wind and solar power generation.
Selection of energy-efficient technologies certified by the Energy Star
program in the United States or the TCO program in Europe can reduce
energy costs while affording access to energy tax credits under a number
of federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Energy tax credits may
also be available for upgrading cooling systems and construction materi-
als during data center updates.
Central management of desktop power settings can further reduce
the energy impact of technology operations, by allowing computers to
turn off monitors, park hard drives, and even enter reduced-power “sleep”
modes when not otherwise in use. The wake-on-LAN functionality of
many types of network cards can allow regular updates and other off-
peak access functions to return sleeping systems to their active state long
enough for maintenance.
Reducing Consumption
Paper, toner, ink, and other forms of technology consumable materials
constitute a continuous cost of operations. Disposal of these materials
and their packaging creates additional bulk in landfills and higher costs
for waste disposal. Implementing enterprise dashboards that allow imme-
diate access to data and electronic reporting can reduce printed output
