IBM White Paper Sample

Green IT and the Role of Virtualization
Given the growing costs associated with energy usage in the data center, the major IT vendors have begun promoting “green IT” technologies that are designed to be more energy-efficient and by extension less harmful to the environment. While the discussion around green IT has been largely framed as an environmental issue, it also focuses on increased efficiency and utilization. Reducing the consumption of key resources such as energy and personnel while improving the utilization of IT hardware and software can yield environmental (green) benefits as well as financial (green) benefits. In other words, green IT is a matter of using all resources as efficiently as possible, i.e., not wasting any of them.

Improved Utilization and Energy Efficiency
Virtualization is one means by which organizations can improve the efficiency of the data center and utilization rates for IT resources. Virtualization can help organizations reduce or postpone capital outlays for equipment and the associated human resources to manage it. Improved ROI can be achieved through the increased utilization of existing resources as well as the corresponding reduction in installation and operations expense for new hardware. The simplification of the IT infrastructure also minimizes the headcount required for its operation, which in turn can permit reassignment of some IT professionals to activities that target the growth of the business, not just its ongoing operation.