You can't fail to notice the bad press that datacentres are getting around the subject of energy inefficiency right now. This story on the Guardian.com reported on Google's flagship datacentre plant in Oregon - saying that when it reaches full capacity in 2011 it could need 103MW of power to run – that's enough to supply every home in Newcastle!
That's one of many facts that are getting industry observers hot under the collar. Recent estimates state that the cost of running a server for 3 years now outstrips its initial purchase costs; and that the typical IT budget is now comprised, on average, by one third energy costs alone. But, for me, the most eye-popping fact has to be that the IT industry is now worse than aviation for the amount of CO2 it produces.
Just today I came across an excellent blog written by Michael Bullock on CIO.com that summarises one of the more likely reasons to why so many companies aren't getting to grips with the issue as well as they could be. It's down to our dear old friend communication - or more precisely the lack of it - between IT and Facilities teams.
It's something we've come across at Sumerian on a number of occasions. We've seen for ourselves, through work we've done for our clients, just how beneficial a good relationship between Facilities and IT can be. It can pay back on many fronts, not least reducing datacentre energy costs. Another massive opportunity is in optimising building occupancy, by introducing improved flexible working arrangements so more staff can work remotely or at home.
But what's key to all of this being successful is gaining reliable facts on which IT and Facilities teams can base their decision making on. That's where we've been able to help our clients - by using IT Analytics they've been able to gain an accurate baseline assessment based on real IT usage data, and scenario model changes to their datacentres and building occupancy before they green light work. If you're interested, take a look at our solution content on Facilities management and Sustainable IT. Both outline how together Facilities and IT can take a leadership role in improving the bottom-line.
Posted by Fran Bolton, Web Channel Manager
