technology update
Go Green with Ease: Four easy IT tips that Save money and help the environment
There is an increase in customer demand to trade with ‘green’ businesses, but can even the busiest cash strapped small business adopt a simple environmentally friendly IT strategy? What are the things to think about when going for green IT? Let Somerbys IT explain the four things you need to know.
1. Turn It off or power it down
Reducing electricity consumption can help your business save money and the environment. A single server can burn as much as a 100w bulb, 24 hours day. Some solutions are:
Activate the sleep settings on idle monitors and PCs. We can use commercial software to control the power management features in networked computers remotely, you just have to ask us as part of your support contract. Also replace power-hungry cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors and televisions with more efficient Light-Emitting Diode (LED) monitors.
2. Consolidate devices
You can reduce your electricity bill further by reducing the number of devices you need to power. Fewer devices will also produce less heat and place less demand on office air conditioning. Consider IT products that perform several functions instead of one. They are easier to manage, cost less, and use less power than multiple single-purpose devices. For example the functionality of seven separate devices, router, firewall, ethernet switch, WiFi access point, telephony gateway, and voice messaging can all be found in one device. Emerging technologies can also allow you to run multiple ‘virtual servers’ on a single physical server saving power and reducing the cost of ownership.
3. Throttle back employee transport
What if you could reduce employee travel by just a small amount every month? There will always be a need for face to face meetings but by using internet connectivity and web browser technology you can remotely deliver training, sales presentations, project collaboration, and other group activities. You can remove unnecessary travel and expenses as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A solution could be to invest in new network devices that can enable the use of applications that combine audio, video, and interactive elements. You can also enable secure telecommuting by implementing VPN-based solutions.
4. Don't throw it away
E-waste is a problem: it's loaded with toxic metals and organic chemicals that contaminate soil, water, and air. In Europe we produce between 17 and 20 kilos of WEEE per capita each year, reports the EU Directorate-General for the Environment. Until recently, over 90% of it was buried in landfill sites, incinerated, or recovered without any treatment. Instead, you could return end-of-life products in the EU to their producers. EU WEEE Directives require electronics vendors to take back their products for proper toxics disposal and component recycling, and consumers may return their products free of charge.
If you wish to speak to us about Green IT, then feel free to contact us on 0845 688 8663 or complete our Contact Us form and we'll call YOU back.