Everyone needs to know how they can integrate environmentally-friendly practices into their
occupation – and the IT Management world is not excluded from this trend either. IT
Management does cover so-called Green Practices when it comes to handling or choosing
software and hardware as well.
First, you should compute thoroughly how much energy you use when you are using the
software and hardware you have right now. Then figure out how much you could save if you
factor in Green Practices into the use of such software and hardware.
Second, the server should be placed in hot aisles to allow the cooling to be directed
straight at the racks. You can also make your IT room air-tight by sealing existing holes
in the walls, ceilings and floors where air would escape though do not cover appropriate
air-ducts if they are necessary.
Third, modular and scalable systems may prove more appropriate if they use less energy for
cooling and allow you to do the same organizational functions with the least amount of
power. Choose systems that can allow you to upgrade to higher organizational functions
later on but still permit optimal use of power.
Fourth, allow servers to rest by using a storage virtualization device or software. This
relieves the servers from having to store rarely-used information while keeping IT
applications more mobile.
Fifth, check with the EPA of the US regarding energy-efficiency standards (like the Energy
Star standards) for hardware such as desktops.
If everyone does their part to figure out how to make their computer usage more
environmentally-friendly, that makes for good IT Management in this day and age too.