After settling at my desk this morning and opening up my inbox to review my overnight email, the highlight of the list was an email from Steve Ballmer about Microsoft’s efforts with addressing global environmental challenges by focusing on three core areas: 1) Using Information Technology to Improve...

During this 8 part series starting on 18 th March, the IT Evangelists will be taking a look at some of the top technology trends tipped by Gartner for 2009, including Virtualisation, GreenIT, Business Intelligence and Cloud Computing.     Date/Time Abstract Wed 18 th March 4pm Virtualisation...

Microsoft UK is no different from any organisation at present in its attempt to shave off costs where possible, which can sometimes seem frustrating or insignificant i.e. does reducing the number of sweets available at the reception desks really make a big impact (NB. This might just be a rumour that...

This was an awesome post from Emma , our resident Licensing Guru. It’s an obvious choice to give to customers so I am really pleased to share this…… 1) All Volume licensing customers have the option to download products via VLSC, for most of you, this is so much faster than waiting for a disk kit 2)...

Great TechNet Magazine from the US here   Microsoft offers a number of solutions that can help IT Professionals reduce the energy footprint of their infrastructure. In this installment of the Sustainable Computing column, we want to discuss how features available in Microsoft operating systems,...

  IT PRO has published a great list of top tips for GreenIT. Interestingly, most should help towards day-to-day cost saving too 1. Teleconferencing 2. Ditch Paper 3. E-documents and online tools 4. Consolidated data centres 5. Virtualisation 6. Home Working 7. Server rooms 8. Desktop rooms and the...

Not much of a surprise of what is included in this list, but I would have expected Green IT to appear higher. I would also have expected social networking/enterprise mash-ups to still be in early days of adoption and exploration, rather than in the top 10 1 - Virtualisation 2 - Cloud computing 3 - Servers...

Many companies have been working to reduce their carbon emissions over recent years. Ignoring the environmental benefits, being green makes excellent business sense in terms of reducing costs and meeting customer expectations. However, until now the drive has been purely optional. Starting next year...

Watch this short Silverlight video to find out how virtualisation compliments green IT practices that can lead to more-efficient energy use and cost savings.

Also from the Microsoft Environment blog.....Microsoft’s CES Rob Bernard, Verdiem’s CEO Kevin Klustner, and the Climate Savers Computing Initiative’s President Lorie Wigle announced the launch of Verdiem's Edison , a power management application offered free to PC users around the world! A video recording...

Hot from the Microsoft Environment blog: Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (ConfigMgr) 2007 has launched a new Desired Configuration Management (DCM) pack that fully complies with ENERGY STAR configuration guidelines! The new pack, which is endorsed by the United States Environmental Protection...

Throughout my career, I have quite often heard this question being asked "What's the difference between a manager and a leader" To me the answer is personified in the group manager of the area of the business that I sit in, namely the Server & Tools Business group. This person does not just follow...

In Windows Server 2008, Microsoft introduced new features and technologies, some of which were not available in Windows Server 2003, that will help to reduce the power consumption of server and client operating systems, minimise environmental by products, and increase server efficiency. The WS08 Power...

I was really pleased when this was brought to my attention. What with the rising oil prices and fears that we will run out of electricity in the UK within my lifetime, it really brings home that we all have a responsibility at home as well as at work to do what we can A few highlights for me: 10...

Bink.nu has done a fantastic write up of a "How Microsoft does IT" session at TechEd this week Barry Briggs, CTO of Microsoft IT, spoke about the challenges and ambitions of what Microsoft IT wants to achieve, as you can see from the image below, the environment they have to manage is huge Below is a...

The green issue is something that is becoming increasingly debated In the past, the cost of physical space was a primary consideration in data center design. More recently, the cost of power and cooling has risen to prominence. Data center managers now must prioritise investment in efficient power...