Spring 2008 issue of Terry Magazine - (Page 15)

Dawning of the ‘Green It’ era By Matt Waldman (ABJ ’96) reen IT” sounds more like a title of a Stephen King novel than a strategic initiative for companies like IBM, Intel, and Citigroup. In reality, it’s an environmental movement to combat the alarming fact that PCs, servers, and telecom networks produce as much greenhouse gas as all the world’s airplanes. Which explains why reducing their companies’ carbon footprint is becoming a priority for IT leaders worldwide. Terry MIS professors Marie Boudreau and Rick Watson are monitoring how various industries are doing their part to alleviate computer-generated environmental pollution. For these professors and a colleague from Georgia State, there’s much more to Green IT than just the computer-generated pollution that’s making news today. “There are actually three strategies,” says Boudreau. “First, is lowering emissions; that’s what most companies are focusing on. Second, is cradle-to-cradle design. The third one is actually the use of cleaner technology altogether.” Boudreau cites numerous examples of companies focusing on the first strategy. Citigroup unveiled plans for a state-of-the-art data center that will reduce energy use by 75 percent, Hewlett-Packard and Dell are committing to recycle electronic products, and Google and Intel have partnered to create energy-efficient computers and components with the Climate Savers Computer Initiative. “The major producers of hardware are creating more energyefficient designs, but that’s only the first stage,” says Watson. “You have to understand how to use information systems to make other workplace processes efficient. Extending the lifecycle is one thing, but what you really want to do is track all the workplace components so you know how to recycle them later.” The design and manufacture of an office Mis professor Marie Boudreau suggests 5 easy ways to be more energy efficient and environchair — where most of its materials can be mentally conscious with technology. used to create other products upon disposal — is an example of cradle-to-cradle design. Turn it off — turn off your pC at the end of the day, and you’ll reduce Co2 emissions and save “Herman Miller is a good example of on average $90 per year in energy costs, according to Monte enbysk at the Microsoft small a company working on this goal,” says Business Center. Boudreau. “When they dismantle a chair, Nix screen savers — shut off your monitor when leaving your desk or adjust it to power off by their ambition is to use 100 percent of that itself when inactive for more than 5-10 minutes. chair in other products.” But how do information systems support Give your PC nap time — set your pC to hibernate after 10-15 minutes of non-use and get this environmentally conscious approach? similar benefits to powering off without the reboot. “This initiative led to the creation of an Paper has two sides — print on both sides of a page to save paper; it also reduces postage information system and database allowing costs. Herman Miller to assess the extent to which a final product meets their cradle-to-cradle Don’t be a pack rat — avoid printing all documents and e-mails. if you want backup copies, ideal,” says Boudreau. “Herman Miller can invest in a travel drive. evaluate the components it acquires from G suppliers, their exact chemistry and sustainable properties. All of that sequencing is very intensive information, and the need to support this design philosophy is how information systems can help.” Boudreau cites Sun Microsystems’ Open Work initiative as a way to curtail pollution and waste and save energy at the same time. “Telecommuting has never taken off as much as we anticipated,” says Boudreau. “But Sun Microsystems has 43 percent of its workforce participating in this program, which utilizes 115 flexible office locations worldwide. The Open Work initiative eliminates a lot of physical infrastructure because employees are encouraged to work from wherever they’re located. Again, that’s impossible without IS.” Zipcar, the auto-sharing business that gives customers the opportunity to rent cars by the hour, is another example that Boudreau and Watson tout as not only environmentally friendly but also using information systems to create cleaner technology in other ways. “You can use your cell phone to find out where a Zipcar is located — and if it’s free, you can rent it for a short trip,” says Watson, describing how information systems help reduce the need for additional buildings for check-in/check-out. Zipcar claims it is taking 15 cars off the road for every Zipcar introduced to a community — and it levies no extra charges for gas, insurance, parking, or maintenance. The average member saves more than $435 per month compared to owning a vehicle. “The hardware and energy saving of computers is just the beginning,” says Watson. “To create sustainable business practices, we have to use computers to create more sustainable systems. Few people are looking at that. We think there’s a much bigger picture.” ■ 5 easy ways to be green with your IT Terry College of BuSineSS Spring 2008 • 15

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Terry School of Business - Spring 2008

Terry School of Business - Spring 2008 Contents Quick Bites Research & Innovation Gatherings Best CEO in America An Unlikely Rock Star Fire & Flavor Beyond the Bench Terry Memo Economic Scorekeeper Class Notes

Terry School of Business - Spring 2008

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