How to Cut IT Energy Costs

Data centers waste at least 10 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, according to the U.S. Department of Energy -- enough to power more than 300,000 homes. So it’s no surprise that organizations are considering a variety of methods to reduce the energy consumption of IT. Saving on power costs is the primary imperative, with reduced carbon footprints also part of the equation. More efficient hardware, better ways to provide cooling, and large-scale data-center consolidation projects are among the methods being deployed, according to a new survey from CDW. "Energy efficiency is no longer an afterthought, but a key requirement in many organizations’ IT purchasing plans," says Norm Lillis, vice president of system solutions at CDW. "Not only is excess energy consumption a drain on budgets, but it also limits the ability of IT managers to provide more and better IT services to employees and customers when aging data centers approach the limits of their power sources." More than 750 IT professionals took part in the survey. To download the report, go here.