Monday | 8 September, 2008
Computerworld

Features

How Microsoft is going green
Biodiesel trucks, solar-powered data centers are just a couple of the initiatives getting Microsoft on environmentally friendly track
John Fontana (Network World) 10/01/2008 12:22:06
Microsoft getting green in gear: Microsoft, with 70,000 employees spread out across the world, is deep into becoming a more environmentally friendly corporation. To coordinate the effort, the company on Nov. 1 appointed Rob Bernard to the newly minted position of chief environmental strategist and told him to look at all aspects of the company and initiate improvements. "My role will be to provide more structure, guidance and assistance in helping people think through the problems and challenges and how to address those," says Bernard. He plans to start building out a staff in January to facilitate the mind set shift. The Connector: Microsoft's shuttle buses, complete with on-board wireless Internet access, run through Redmond, Wash., and take employees to and from work. Dubbed "The Connector," the buses are expected to carry up to 1,000 employees each day. The Connector is projected to eliminate approximately 3,800 tons of carbon emissions annually and result in 240,000 fewer cars on the road per year. Smart packaging. Microsoft's Streets and Trips 2007, which includes a GPS locator, is packaged using SmartCycle 150 PETE, which is plastic film made from a minimum of 50 percent post consumer waste recycled bottles. Microsoft RoundTable. RoundTable, is a conference phone with a built-in 360-degree camera, which Microsoft is touting as one applications that can reduce the need for travel, which can help cut greenhouse gases. A powerful partnership. The Clinton Foundation and Microsoft are in a partnership to develop a suite of software and services to enable cities to monitor, compare and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The tools will enable cities to build a common measurement system for emissions reductions, analyze potential projects and the results they may have on reducing emissions, generate reports based on inventory and measurement data, and access data collected from other cities. The pair will work with ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability and the Center for Neighborhood Technology. Microsoft will build the new software tools using the knowledge base that ICLEI has acquired in developing its Harmonized Emissions Analysis Tool. This new software tool will be an important resource in our work with cities around the world to fight global warming in practical, measurable and significant ways, Bruce Lindsey, CEO of the Clinton Foundation, said in May 2007.
  • 1 of 5
Microsoft getting green in gear: Microsoft, with 70,000 employees spread out across the world, is deep into becoming a more environmentally friendly corporation. To coordinate the effort, the company on Nov. 1 appointed Rob Bernard to the newly minted position of chief environmental strategist and told him to look at all aspects of the company and initiate improvements. "My role will be to provide more structure, guidance and assistance in helping people think through the problems and challenges and how to address those," says Bernard. He plans to start building out a staff in January to facilitate the mind set shift.
Microsoft getting green in gear: Microsoft, with 70,000 employees spread out across the world, is deep into becoming a more environmentally friendly corporation. To coordinate the effort, the company on Nov. 1 appointed Rob Bernard to the newly minted position of chief environmental strategist and told him to look at all aspects of the company and initiate improvements. "My role will be to provide more structure, guidance and assistance in helping people think through the problems and challenges and how to address those," says Bernard. He plans to start building out a staff in January to facilitate the mind set shift.
Return to the article
Market Place
WIN a printing technology upgrade worth $20k* with HP MFPs! >> CLICK HERE TO ENTER.
Enter our reader survey today and you could walk away with one of 2 Motorola MOTORAZR2 V9's up for the taking.
Discover trends in the B2B infrastructure market in 2008 | Download new Gartner white paper now.
Software & Systems Quality Conferences: 30 – 31 October 2008 in Canberra. Book now!
Discover the latest web security SaaS solutions | Download new IDC white paper to lessen your IT burden
Computerworld Webinar | Business Mashups - Building the Intelligent Organisation by Empowering Users | 11am Tues 16th Sep 08

Computerworld Member Login


 

Prioritizing Services with IT Service Management (ITSM)

Computerworld Live Webinar
Wednesday 20th, August 2008
11:00am EST (Sydney, Australia)

To be repeated on:

Thursday 4th, September 2008
11:00am EST (Sydney Australia)

Sign up and receive a free copy of The Forrester WaveTM Service Desk Management Tools, Q2 2008 at the conclusion of the Webinar.

Attend and discover:

  • How to deliver value to your business through ITSM
  • Best practice ITSM implementation
  • Why emphasis is changing from optimizing IT management processes to better servicing customers and demonstrating real dollar value
  • If service-oriented ITSM is best for your business
Whitepaper
Enterprise Wireless WLAN Security

Read Whitepaper

Enterprise Wireless WLAN Security

Learn more about the security challenges to be faced when defining and implementing security mechanisms within diverse wired and wireless network environments. Download this must-read guide to plan your wireless data protection strategy now.

Enterprise IT Buyer's Guide
Find Technology Vendors Fast
 
Find vendors by name | Find by category
Sponsored Links