MIS Case – Is Green Computing Good for Business

MIS Case – Is Green Computing Good for Business?

Due: September 27, 2012

 

Case Study Questions

 

1. Nowadays it is becoming too difficult to work in data centers. The tasks, such as video downloads, exchanging information, supporting web sites, to name a few, need high-power equipment. These heavy machines take more power consumption, which lead to high electricity spending. According to the data from 2000 to 2007, the total cost of electricity in computer data centers has doubled all over the world.  If this situation continues, the total electricity usage by these servers will be higher than 70%.

 

The warmth produced by the powerful machines in computer centers is the reason for server failure. Companies are trying to solve the problem by cooling these computer rooms or by other methods. For some firms to keep their server centers cool cost them even more than the rent of the property. It is very costly for organizations because they need to spend money to run these data centers and than to maintain the cool conditions in them. As these heavy machines already need a lot of power to run them, they need the same power consumption to keep them cool. All this extra power wasting brings not only the high costs for companies but also not positive effect on the environment.

 

In many organizations PC’s usually stay turned on two times more time than they actually used. This means that PC’s are also staying on even at night and brining additional power consumption, which also costs a lot for these organizations. (Laudon & Laudon, 2011)

 

2. Solutions. Certain most outstanding companies are trying to pay attention to these power consumption problems; some of them want to solve it in order to save their money, and others – the environment. Such companies as Google, Microsoft and HSBC are willing to reduce costs by constructing the computer data centers, which would be run by hydroelectric power usage. Hewlett-Packard develops the equipment, in order to decrease the negative impact for environment that could decrease the carbon footprint of their computer rooms. HP is also working on creating the software, which will help them to determine the power consumption and carbon emission.

 

The Microsoft’s branch in San Antonio applied devices that determine the power consumption of their data service centers, they recycle water used for cooling and implement internally developed power management software.

 

Projects to educate employees, as it was done in Honda Motors, could be also a good effort to save energy. They train their administrators of IT centers how to reduce energy spending.

None of the above-mentioned companies say that all their actions will save the world but they show the acceptance of the issue and the beginning of the Green Computing time. (Laudon & Laudon, 2011)

 

3. After recognition of the growing problem, organizations started to make an effort in their solutions and to gain benefits from them.

 

Public schools in Miami reduced the time of PC’s usage by applying software from BigFix. City University of New York internalized Verdiem’s software, which helped them to save $320,000 per year.

 

Virtualization is also one of the efficient instruments, which helps companies to reduce the quantity of servers and machines that contain the data. This virtualization software and server platform along work so that one machine does the activity, which was done by eight. The new software helps companies to develop the company’s infrastructure and save their money. (Laudon & Laudon, 2011)

 

4. Yes, we think that it would be beneficial for all firms to move toward green computing, or to at least make incremental steps toward this movement.  They will soon realize that not only will they help the environment, but they will also save costs in the long-run. 

 

Internet Search:

 

1. According to Gingichashvili (2007), green computing can be defined as the “study and practice of efficient and eco-friendly computing resources.”  Furthermore, according to Scudder (2011) “green computing is the scientific study of efficient and effective designing, manufacturing, using, disposing, and recycling of computers and computer related products like servers, network systems, communications systems, monitors, USB, printer etc.” Science is used to create certain technologies that help sustain and preserve the natural resources in the environment, and to reduce the damaging impacts they incur on the environment.

 

2. According to Needle (2006) some of the leaders of the green computing movement include IBM, HP, Dell.  Furthermore, according to Carbon Footprint - Green Computing (2011) major corporations that are leading the way in green computing include Wall Street firms, Wells Fargo, and Amazon.com.  Lastly, as mentioned by Needle (2006) the government is making an effort in the US to help stimulate the efficiency in green computing systems.  However, the environmental organizations that are playing an important role include the Environmental Protection Agency and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. (Berry, 2007)

 

3. Green computing can come in the form of carbon-free computing and to take responsibility in offsetting the carbon, solar computing, lead free computing, and energy-efficient computing (Gingichashvili, 2007). Furthermore, according to measures for greener computing could be lower power hardware, virtualization, cloud computing, energy efficient coding, improved repair, re-use, recycling and disposal, and less pollutant manufacture.  This trend started in 2007 in order to help reduce the negative impacts on the environment, in addition to reducing power costs. (Needle, 2006)

 

4. In order for individuals to contribute to the green computing movement, they could first start by purchasing a computer by either IBM HP or Dell, or other less well-known brands, that have Energy Star Ratings.  Furthermore, individuals could also turn off their computers when not in use, as computers are being left on and adding to the heat generation, and energy costs. Lastly, after a computer has died, individuals could make more effort to recycle their equipment, and perhaps even support a green company or one that is going green!  We think this movement is definitely worthwhile.  A quote by John Frey from Carbon Footprint - Green Computing (2011) says, “ “IT management isn't the first place you would start looking for environmental activists. But in 2006, the people in charge of buying and deploying computer technology found the concept of green computing extra compelling. Analysts say the main reason is cost, energy and space savings; if it's also good for the environment, that's icing on the cake. "Even if a customer is not looking at IT purchasing from an environmental-impact perspective, things like power management and energy efficiency are now a TCO [total cost of ownership] and infrastructure issue," John Frey, manager of corporate environmental strategies at HP, told internetnews.com.”

 

 

Annotated Bibliography

 

Web-links

 

1. Berry, A. (2007, 07 19). An Eco-Friendly Guide to Green Computing. Retrieved 09 24, 2012, from Yahoo Voices: http://voices.yahoo.com/an-eco-friendly-guide-green-computing-426410.html?cat=15. - An article on companies and environmental agencies that play an important role in green computing.

 

2. Carbon Footprint - Green Computing. (2011, 11 02). LEADERS OF THE GREEN COMPUTING. Retrieved 09 24, 2012, from Green Computing: http://kamipunyaassignment.blogspot.ch/2011/11/leaders-of-green-computing.html. - An article on the leaders of green computing with an interesting quote.

 

3. Explaining Computers. (2012, 09 12). GREEN COMPUTING: AN INTRODUCTION. Retrieved 09 24, 2012, from Explaining Computers: http://www.explainingcomputers.com/green.html. - An article explaining the concept of green computing and the measures to take for computing sustainability.

 

4. Gingichashvili, S. (2007, 11 19). Green Computing. Retrieved 09 24, 2012, from The Future of Things: http://thefutureofthings.com/articles/1003/green-computing.html. - An article explaining the concept of green computing and the measures to take for computing sustainability.

 

5. Laudon, K., & Laudon, J. (2011). Essentials of Management Information Systems. England: Peason Education Limited. - The class textbook with the case and helped facilitate the concept of green computing.

 

6. Needle, D. (2006, 12 27). Greener Systems an Unstoppable Trend. Retrieved 09 24, 2012, from Internet News: http://www.internetnews.com/ent-news/article.php/3650786/Greener+Systems+an+Unstoppable+Trend.htm. - An interesting article on the green computing trend, and leading firms in this movement.

 

7. Scudder, R. (2011, 02 11). History of Green Computing, Its Uses, the Necessity and the Future. Retrieved 09 24, 2012, from Bright Hub: http://www.brighthub.com/environment/green-computing/articles/62742.aspx. - An article explaining the concept of green computing, measures to take for sustainabile computing, and green computing in the workplace.