Accenture's Green IT Blog

Paperless… Getting There.

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:25:21 GMT

In its October 11-17 edition, The Economist published an article essentially stating that we are finally moving in the direction of the paperless office. This is really great news, but why we are just starting to move in that direction when the concept has been around since 2001? Perhaps it’s because green initiatives are on top of the CIO agenda for companies? Or because workflow systems are more efficient? Cheaper? Easier to use? Not at all. These factors are part of the change; but the main contributor can be attributed to our changing workforce–the next-generation workforce.

Size Matters

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 18:45:32 GMT

Did you buy the line that size does not matter? Well, when it comes to thin clients, the answer is yes, it does. You’re probably familiar with the concept of a thin client already: essentially, they operate in the same way as the old dummy terminals. What you may not have realized is that by making your IT more efficient, they can make your organization greener—and reduce costs. Let’s start with some facts supported by recent studies.

When Green Also Means Massive

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 22:32:41 GMT

Over the past couple of weeks the blogosphere has been buzzing with news about the deployment of a number of highly efficient data-centers based on containerization.

New Models for Data Centers?

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 19:15:01 GMT

I read a great article in The Register this week regarding a data center strategy that is potentially being followed by Microsoft. The concept of putting loads[1] of servers into a metal box and shipping it to a data center park may seem odd to some, but I think it really has legs as a concept. You only have to drive down Route I95 in New Jersey to see that containers are pretty good at being stacked and ideal for international shipping.

The Power of All

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:24:00 GMT

When you see someone throwing an empty plastic bottle on the street, or on the park grass, you will probably be really mad, ask that person to pick it up and put it in the trash can. One of the potential reasons is that you may think, “If everyone starts to do this, we will have a big problem on our hands—dirty streets and additional cleaning costs, to mention just two.”

Security: The Green Glue

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 17:41:06 GMT

Last week I was lucky enough to be invited to present Accenture's point of view on Green IT to an audience at the European Symantec Vision event. The key concept is that green IT is not simply about buying new hardware but should actually be about changing the way in which IT is used within the business. I introduced the topic with the example of a merger (clearly a very topical issue in the financial sector at present) to explain what I mean. The new organization would have two e-mail systems running on two sets of server hardware. Should the organization refresh this hardware to make it more efficient—or should it begin by rationalizing its applications?*

Accenture's Green IT Blog

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 18:23:00 GMT

Turn Off the Basement Lights!

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:18:56 GMT

A few years ago, as I was shouting to my kids to "turn off the TV when you're not in the room!" I started wondering how big a deal it really was. Did I need to focus my personal conservation efforts elsewhere? Turns out the little LCD light on the TV only draws about 1/20 the power of my basement lights. So, we still turn everything off we're not using, but now I know that forgetting to turn off the basement lights overnight equates to about four months of regular use of the little TV.

Earth: The Ultimate Workplace

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:27:00 GMT

Every article or note I have been reading through these days focuses on how hard 2008 was and makes predictions for 2009. One thing we can certainly predict is that 2009 is going to be a challenging year with economy issues to address, climate changes and—especially here in the United States—the expectations we have for America’s just-elected president.

Welcome to Accenture’s Green IT Blog

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 22:59:08 GMT

Green IT means so many things to so many people. For some, it is all about the data center—changing servers to be more energy efficient and reducing the power draw from the cooling equipment. For others, it is focused on changing the configuration options on the desktops deployed across the enterprise.

Computer Life Cycle: What to Do with PCs When They Get Old?

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:54:00 GMT

Computers have certainly changed the way we do a lot of things: how we work, shop, chat, collaborate and, nowadays, even make friends or find the love of your life. We always hear about their new upgrades, new features, enhancements, and in the end we get really anxious for these powerful devices to come so we can buy them and replace our old or obsolete ones.

Measurement and Management

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:42:46 GMT

I recently read a very interesting article on Dave Ohara's Green Data Center blog about the measurement of Google's data center efficiency. It started me thinking about how the industry can move beyond the number of niche metrics that are in use today.

Geographic View on the Green IT Agenda

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:37:16 GMT

After having worked in Green IT within Accenture over the past 18 months, it’s clear that one of the main challenges is the difference in approach required by each of the geographies in which we operate. Working out of the United Kingdom, it is far too easy to take a view that what is happening locally is the view that is held by all of our clients, irrespective of where they are located or do business. While there are clearly some common themes—one being the current financial climate—much of the discussion around Green IT is driven by local influences.

The Next-Generation Workforce

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:33:21 GMT

A lot has been written about the next-generation workforce: what it’s like and what a company needs to do to attract and, more importantly, keep it. Although old, there's an interesting article about younger, tech-savvy new workers in the September 19, 2006, issue of The Financial Times "They are the future—and they’re coming to a workplace near you." Only subscribers may access the full article, but there is a preview.

A Green Workplace Vision

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:04:23 GMT

The ability to wonder about our future, to see it and to plan to achieve that vision, gives us the energy and focus to make it happen. Therefore, our actions reflect our will to achieve that vision; to bring the future into the present. I'd like to offer one vision for the green workplace.

Is this a green cloud or a dark cloud? Take a fresh look at cloud computing.

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:28:00 GMT

One of my clients, an IT director, asked me a very interesting question this week: "Can cloud computing be called a green initiative?" My instant answer was: "It could." Not a straight answer, but enough for us to get into a conversation of whether cloud computing was a green IT enabler.

Life with a Smart Meter

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:00:00 GMT

With all the talk in the news at the moment around Google entering, in beta form at least, the smart grid/power meter market, I thought it would be a good opportunity to provide some details of my experience using a smart meter.