STAMFORD, Conn. -- The
threat of a recession shouldn't deter companies from pursuing green IT
efforts or else they will lose out on the economic benefits, Gartner
warned in a new report.
In the report, "Cutting Back on Green PC Initiatives Leads to False Economies,"
the research firm advised companies to move forward with green IT
initiatives, especially those that lead to power savings, which can
have a near-term impact on the bottom line.
Companies "need to pursue these low-risk initiatives as they often
provide quick returns that are especially attractive in a cost-cutting
environment," said Steve Kleynhans, Gartner research vice president.
"Green PC initiatives typically do not add significantly to ongoing
operational costs, and the small upfront costs associated with them are
usually easily recovered 12 to 18 months after the program begins."
The company recommends four areas where companies can realize green
IT cost savings. First, Gartner advises that businesses look for
eco-friendly labels on new computers in order to enjoy power
consumption savings of 20 percent or more.
Activating low power state settings for computing fleets costs
nothing but can yield big savings. Recycling old equipment could also
produce revenue that can offset the capital expense of new equipment.
Finally, Gartner recommends implementing programs that drive
resource reductions in other areas, such as travel and commuting, since
"efficient (IT) users tend to be green users."
See ClimateBiz.com
See GreenBiz.com