Cutting Costs with Green Computing

Since I noted the available support for Green Computing back in October 2009, much has changed regarding the amount of help that now is available to learning providers. In such hard times many have been looking at sustainable or green computing as a way of reducing their costs and increasing their efficiency.

‘Green computing’ includes both the reduction of the environmental impact of the computing within an organisation (IT as a polluter) and looks at using ICT to reduce the environmental impact of other activities, such as use of on-line meetings instead of face to face meetings (IT as an enabler).

Why is Green Computing Important?
Put simply, saving energy and resources saves money.

For example - consider technologies like cloud computing. Basically, cloud computing eliminates the need for hardware like servers. Essentially, this allows learning providers to reduce their need for big, energy-consuming servers by relocating them on the Internet. Cloud computing may also be used in areas like networking, data storage, software applications, and operating systems, again, potentially reducing the need for hardware. As a result, providers stand to save a lot of time, money, and resources on maintenance and support by switching to cloud computing set-ups.

There are other techniques at the personal computer level. For instance, power management can be an easy and effective means of saving green while conserving energy.

Finally, technologies that save paper, like email, can have a huge impact on costs as well as the environment. Additionally, policies like webinars or videoconferencing offer additional benefits by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide produced by travel.

Our regional adviser Jane Edwards had done a lot of work in this area with our supported learning providers. As part of a free review service she can help you with:

• Reviewing where you are
• Finding good practice in other organisations
• Developing the management structure to respond positively to the agenda
• Creating a strategy. Writing an action plan. Knowing where you are. Setting targets.
• Raising awareness across the organization
• Practical tips and advice.

To make it easier for regional providers to know where to start, Jane has also set up a page on our website which brings together a number of key resources. If you are keen to learn more about ways that your organisation can become greener in the ways it uses technology contact Jane by email or phone.

(Green Computing benefits summarised from Fortunela Weblog)



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