3Com has outlined several ways to improve an organization’s sustainability through its networking infrastructure to address the growing need for CIOs to generate more value from their IT and networking investments.
According to a new white paper from industry research firm IDC, the pervasiveness of networking across the entire enterprise makes it a key enabler of sustainable IT, from the supply chain to improved communications and personal productivity. It also provides numerous opportunities to slash the US$ 6 billion that was spent powering datacentres throughout Europe in 2007.
“In today’s challenging economic environment, it is imperative that organizations take a holistic approach when it comes to deploying networking solutions and business-enablement initiatives,” says 3Com’s Mahmoud El Ali, General Manager, Middle East and North Africa.
3Com believes that most organizations are failing to take advantage of the real benefits of sustainable IT because of their incomplete approach to “green” technology. A holistic approach to sustainability, led by IT, can result in significant improvements in cost savings and energy efficiency while meeting the regulatory requirements and government targets.
“Enterprises need to avoid the “tick-in-the-box” approach to sustainable IT and networking,” said David Law, consultant engineer at 3Com, Chairman of the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet Working Group, and 3Com’s representative on The Green Grid.. “Regulation is undoubtedly driving many organizations to meet defined targets, but this can lead to a piecemeal approach that misses out on the undeniable cost-saving opportunities today and in the future.”
“The number one consideration for most IT managers in large companies now is power – how to provide it, manage it, and conserve it,” says Law. “And this issue will only grow in importance. IT managers need to consider how much power they need now, and how much this is likely to change. For most, it will need to be balanced by cost considerations and, increasingly, by environmental considerations.” Networking is key to reducing energy consumption and waste because it enables more efficient use of communications. Sustainable networking is about replacing expensive and time-consuming physical transportation with digital communications and services, providing remote workers with WAN optimization and videoconferencing, and connecting consolidated datacentres.
