Environmental Education

Make IT sustainable and win new customers

A couple of years ago, everything had gone green. You couldn't move at conferences for analysts bemoaning the power demands of data centres and vendors claiming to have the latest, greatest technology solution.

Now, following a couple of years of economic recession, green computing has gone off the radar somewhat. New business realities mean projects that provide sustainable benefits have been pushed from must-have to nice-to-have.

Such a strategy is misguided. The risk to the environment from errant technology and power use has not diminished.

Estimates suggest that IT accounts for between two and five per cent of total global carbon emissions, more than the airline industry. Analyst Gartner, meanwhile, estimates that data centres account for 23 per cent of IT emissions, a significant and ever-increasing figure (see further reading, below).

But it is not just the need to deal with emissions that shows businesses must think green. With new regulations and continuing pressure from customers, successful companies will make sure their IT usage is monitored and sustainable.

UK businesses are being urged to prepare for a new raft of carbon emission regulations. The result is likely to be that firms will have to produce an end-of-year report – just like in the case of financial results – that shows carbon usage (see further reading).

Customers, meanwhile, expect their suppliers to behave in an acceptable manner. Just like social media has changed how firms interact with their clients, the potential for green business means big firms must ensure sustainability is always considered.

Across all areas of your operations – from financial management to workflow and on to document imaging – look for systems that will help you reduce paper consumption.

Also look for tools that will help you monitor and report carbon emissions. Because reporting on carbon use, which was once a nice-to-have, might soon be a business necessity.

Further reading

http://www.gartner.com/it/page.jsp?id=530912

http://www.greenwisebusiness.co.uk/news/mandatory-carbon-reporting-could-be-brought-in-before-2012-says-miliband-1074.aspx

About the Author

Mark Thompson is managing director of COA Solutions. Mark trained as an accountant before joining the business software industry with roles at Olivetti, Multisoft and Tetra. In 1996, Mark joined COA Solutions, moving rapidly to sales director and then, managing director in 2002. Mark oversaw COA Solutions' rapid expansion as turnover grew from £12m to £60m. Mark led COA Solutions into negotiations with Advanced Computer Software Plc (ACS Plc), where it was acquired for £100m.

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