Dematerialization

See how companies are cutting costs and reducing environmental waste by moving from paper-based systems to innovative technology solutions to perform essential business tasks.

• Drive Assist
  Drive Assist has found effective ways to cut emissions and be more environmentally conscious by reducing the processing burden and inefficiency of handling 120,000 paper forms a month, which had started to keep the company from growing.
• Jones Lang LaSalle
  By taking files sent in e-mail and multiple versions of stored documents and replacing them with easily discoverable and searchable document libraries, Jones Lang LaSalle is enhancing collaboration among its employees, increasing the productivity of its IT operations, saving about $500,000 USD per year, and freeing resources to support the company's continued growth.
• Košice Self-Governing Region
  Košice is one of the eight self-governing regions that form the Republic of Slovakia. The governing body of Košice struggled to manage its large but necessary amounts of paperwork until Microsoft technology helped create a sophisticated, streamlined administrative solution for governing.
• Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe
  To support a higher volume of business, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe is using Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 and a digital signing platform to create an extranet for processing transactional documents. With this new system, Orrick will be able to add new clients with current resources while saving roughly U.S. $1.1 million annually by eliminating many of the costs associated with a paper-based system.
• Vancity
  Big believers in Green IT, Vancity differentiates itself from its competition by connecting with members through community and environment programs, and by adopting IT solutions that can support environmental initiatives and conserve financial resources. Vancity considers its use of technology to be a significant contributor to its status as a leader in environmental practices.
• Wise Group
  To meet more environmentally sustainable business needs, Wise Group chose an infrastructure investment strategy based on the deployment of the 2007 Microsoft Office system. This solution enables the migration of the company paper forms system, resulting in significant paper waste reduction, cost savings, and workflow efficiency.

Energy Efficient Computing

Learn about companies that are optimizing their IT infrastructures to reduce power consumption and costs, streamline operations, and reduce their carbon footprint.

• Atlanta Journal Constitution
  The Atlanta Journal Constitution was experiencing problems with cooling and controlling power for its servers. However, with the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit (MAP), they discovered that they were underutilizing many machines and they were able to find ways to maximize their resources.
• Banque de Luxembourg
  Banque de Luxembourg executives wanted to demonstrate the bank's ongoing commitment to corporate responsibility by implementing a more “green” approach to IT resource usage. Through virtualization, Banque de Luxembourg has gone from relying on 50 physical servers to using only four without losing the capacity to maintain its core business.
• City of Miami
  As part of its plans to optimize its IT infrastructure, a major goal of the City of Miami is to centrally store user data. The City plans to eliminate its costly mainframe and to standardize its IT infrastructure with Microsoft software, and is expected to realize an annual savings of U.S. $1 million.
• Continental Airlines
  Windows Vista gives Continental Airlines users more control of the desktop experience through newly added group policies, including the ability to configure power management settings, helping to reduce Continental's electricity use and its carbon footprint.
• Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
  Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center has consolidated 75 servers with Virtual Server 2005 and will soon migrate them to Windows Server 2008 and Hyper-V. The Center expects to consolidate an additional 75 servers using Hyper-V, leading to a cost savings of more than $325,000 annually, and ultimately, reducing its total data center holdings by 75 percent.
• EDF
  By consolidating servers (80 were eliminated) and migrating to Windows Server 2003 64-Bit Edition in some instances, EDF Energy will reduce its carbon footprint, using fewer servers and less power.
• HotSchedules
  HotSchedules deployed the Windows Server 2008 operating system with Hyper-V virtualization technology to consolidate its server environment, reduce costs, and maximize network performance. By hosting up to 19 virtual machines on each physical server, HotSchedules increased its growth capacity while cutting power costs 77 percent and enhancing its competitive position.
• Indiana University
  Indiana University's Auxiliary Information Technology (AIT) department has whittled its physical servers from 150 to 32, trimmed server deployment time by 90 percent, and can deliver higher availability and meet service requests more quickly. The department is saving U.S. $85,000 annually in hardware costs.
• John Lewis Partnership
  With Windows Server 2008 and the Read-Only Domain Controller option, the John Lewis Partnership will streamline its Microsoft Active Directory infrastructure. As a result, the company expects to reduce the number of data center domain controllers from 16 to eight, saving about £40,000 annually (U.S. $79,881) in maintenance costs alone.
• LeaseWeb
  Virtualization supports LeaseWeb's policy of offering the best and latest technology to its customers, and also its green technology philosophy.
• Legislative Yuan
  Taiwan's highest legislative body, the Legislative Yuan, relies on IT systems, including the Microsoft Windows XP operating system, to meet the public interest, provide critical services, and promote legislative efficiency. With Windows XP, system administrators can prevent unauthorized system changes, decreasing the risk of information exposure, and reduce power consumption.
• Maccabi Health
  Managing thousands of doctors and providing healthcare to more than 1,750,000 patients throughout Israel, Maccabi Healthcare Services selected Windows Vista to improve its existing IT systems. With Windows Vista, Maccabi enhanced its ability to safeguard information, made system management and maintenance easier, and reduced costs, allowing employees to focus on providing modern and innovative healthcare services for an ever-increasing number of patients.
• MedTronic
  Medtronic, a worldwide medical technology provider, uses the Windows Vista operating system to increase collaboration, lower IT costs, and gain a more secure IT environment.
• MLS Property Information Network
  MLS Property Information Network, Inc. (MLS PIN), the most prominent multiple listing service in New England, decided to replace its 60 stand-alone servers with 20 clustered servers, each supporting dozens of virtual machines that run Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V technology and the Sanbolic Melio file system. MLS PIN now can quickly pivot to meet the demands of business, and deliver reliable availability to customers while reducing annual hardware-related and electrical costs.
• NetBenefit
  NetBenefit, a leading provider of managed hosting services in the United Kingdom, wanted to introduce a competitive entry-level hosting service to reduce physical server costs, and virtualization to reduce data center and electrical costs. With virtualization, NetBenefit's newest data center uses environmentally friendly power and is saving revenue.
• Portfolio Communications
  Although Portfolio does much of its work in the technology sector, it has recently started an environmental division that works with organizations providing services and products to companies looking to improve their environmental impact. The company found that Windows Vista reduces their carbon footprint by letting them set central policies on energy management on their desktop computers.
• Recycled Energy Development
  Instead of running an on-premises solution, Recycled Energy Development (RED) uses storage virtualization and server virtualization technology to increase the throughput of servers in the Microsoft data center, reducing the amount of electricity it needs. This is a perfect solution for RED's philosophical model and will help the company grow in ways that are consistent with its needs and values.
• Santa Barbara Web Hosting
  With Microsoft virtualization technology, Santa Barbara Web Hosting has achieved a 15:1 server consolidation rate, saving thousands of dollars in operational costs and offering more expansive capabilities at a lower monthly fee for customers.
• State of California
  California's Department of Technology Services (DTS) provides information technology services to approximately 500 state, county, federal, and local government entities throughout the state of California. In 2007, DTS upgraded its data center with three physical and three virtual server computers, helping DTS reduce data center power consumption and support DTS environmental initiatives.
• Stewart Information Services Corporation
  Stewart Information Services Corporation is an expanding global company that is committed to deliver state-of-the-art real estate information services to its clients, and to provide shareholder value to its investors. Stewart uses the Microsoft System Center Operations Manager 2007 and Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 to support its strategy for energy-efficient data center consolidation.
• WiPro Technologies
  Wipro Technologies provides IT solutions and services to global corporations. To deliver its services more efficiently and help meet its ICT environmental sustainability goals, Wipro used Windows Server 2008 Enterprise, Hyper-V, and Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 to virtualize 400 of its servers, optimizing space and power use, and staying ahead of its competition.
• WorleyParsons
  WorleyParsons has developed a business initiative called EcoNomics to deliver environmentally, socially, and financially sustainable projects for customers. A key component of EcoNomics is Microsoft Hyper-V.

Environmental Management

Find out about companies that are using innovative Microsoft technologies to minimize the energy use of their data centers and reduce their environmental impact.

• LyondellBasell Industries
  LyondellBasell Industries, a global petrochemicals and polymers manufacturer, needed to meet new air-quality regulations in Southeast Texas, where its subsidiaries operate eight manufacturing plants. With guidance from VisionMonitor Software, a Microsoft Certified Partner, LyonBasell opted for a Microsoft software–based solution called VisionMonitor Compliance Intelligence, which is reliable, cost-effective, and can meet new regulatory and business requirements.
• Mohawk Fine Papers
  Mohawk Fine Papers premium paper maker is seeing increased demand for paper that is produced with minimal environmental impact. To meet this demand and reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, Mohawk is implementing a new Enterprise Asset Management solution from Microsoft Gold Certified Partner Infor.
• OSIsoft
  Data centers account for approximately 1.2 to 2 percent of all electricity consumed in the United States, so it is critical for organizations to monitor and measure the amount of energy they use. OSIsoft provides a robust performance management infrastructure using Microsoft technology.
• Revera
  Auckland, New Zealand's Revera specializes in providing businesses with high-integrity computing infrastructure and services. Revera uses Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager and Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V to offer enterprise-grade server hosting, which helps lower customers' cost of IT operations and ensures that data is safe and easily accessible.
• Seventh Generation
  Seventh Generation is the leading distributor of home cleaning, personal care, and baby products made from natural, recycled, or renewable materials. With help from Microsoft Gold Certified Partner SCS, Seventh Generation implemented Microsoft Dynamics NAV with added functionality to monitor its carbon footprint, safety of ingredients, and efficiency of packaging and transportation throughout its supply chain.
• Stewart Information Services Corporation
  Stewart Information Services Corporation is an expanding global company that delivers state-of-the-art real estate information services and provides shareholder value. Stewart uses the Microsoft System Center Operations Manager 2007 and Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 to support its strategy for data center consolidation, being energy efficient, and conserving space.

Environmental Science Research

Read how companies and research facilities are leveraging Microsoft technologies to create high-performance computing systems that can predict future climate change.

• Environmental Sciences Network
  In the United Kingdom, a project called Genie is accelerating human understanding of Earth's ecosystem by unifying the work of climate-change specialists from different fields of expertise. Using the results of the Genie project’s comprehensive modeling and its shared platform, scientists, researchers, and technologists can deliver more accurate predictions on future environmental change.
• Facility for Breakthrough Science Seeks to Expand User Base with Windows-Based HPC
  The Computational Science and Engineering Department at Daresbury Laboratory (UK) develops and provides powerful simulation codes. It chose Microsoft Windows HPC Server to expand platform choice offerings and increase employee productivity.
• Leading HPC Vendor Eases Adoption for Customers, with New Windows-Based Offerings
  California-based SGI is a global leader in high-performance computing with deep expertise in building, installing, tuning, and managing HPC systems. SGI is extending its server offerings to support the Windows operating system as an alternative to Linux and satisfy a broader range of customers.

Microsoft Services

Read how support from Microsoft Services is helping companies reduce their IT support costs while cutting their carbon emissions.

• Wakefield Metropolitan District Council
  Wakefield Metropolitan District Council in the United Kingdom is delivering benefits for employees and citizens through its Worksmart change program. With Microsoft Services Premier Support and Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Wakefield upgraded its collaboration and communications servers to better support service delivery and to find better ways of working for its employees.
• Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
  As the biggest organization in the United Kingdom and one of the largest employers in the world, the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is leading the way in reducing carbon emissions and demands on the environment. Since acquiring Microsoft Premier Support, the organization has cut costs with each technician now managing 400 desktop PC's instead of just 200, it has reduced its carbon footprint by 20 percent, and has increased customer satisfaction.

Next Generation Data Center Design

The next generation of data centers leverage specialized airflow systems and other innovations to reduce energy consumption while protecting critical servers.

• Revera
  Revera has three data centers in New Zealand plus one in Melbourne, Australia and can support 5,000 physical servers and 67,000 virtual servers. Revera's state-of-the-art "Type-R" data centers use a specialized airflow system to precisely manage the cooling requirements of high-density computing, removing hotspots and reducing energy consumption.

Telework and Presence

Learn how video conferencing and other telework solutions are helping companies reduce fuel consumption and their carbon footprint. An added benefit: lower travel costs and enhanced employee productivity.

• EDF
  To enhance employee productivity, EDF Energy's mobility solutions use the Remote Access and Remote Control technologies in Windows Server 2003 R2. Computacenter Services, an IT company, uses the Microsoft Core Infrastructure Optimization model and its proven methodologies to measure progress, help prioritize future work, and to provide clarity and business value to EDF Energy at certain key reference points.
• Giant Eagle
  Giant Eagle, one of the largest food retailers and distributors in the United States, instigated a corporate cost-saving initiative to move 700 of its employees to home-based offices. To ensure that these teleworkers stay well connected with their colleagues in Giant Eagle offices, stores, and warehouses, the company implemented Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 and Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 with Unified Messaging.
• House of Fraser
  Leading British retailer House of Fraser wanted to improve its operating efficiency and competitiveness with technology for integrated communications, presence awareness, and video conferencing. Its IT team chose Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 because it is easy to deploy and use and offers value for money.
• Kapsh
  The Austrian company Kapsh implemented Office Communications Server 2007, so employees wouldn’t have to drive for hours to attend meetings at the company headquarters. It now uses Office Communications Server 2007 and RoundTable for a monthly sales meeting attended by sales managers from all over Austria, which saves travel time and fuel costs, and enables people to get new information and provide input during meetings.
• Microsoft IT
  Every quarter, Microsoft Australia holds a high-engagement manager meeting where about 130 people from every branch in Australia come to Sydney for two days. Using Microsoft Unified Communications Live Meeting RoundTable, Microsoft Australia can replace the on-site meeting with a virtual one, saving $18,000 AUD and eliminating 4 tons of carbon emissions.
• MISC Berhad
  The Microsoft Unified Communications platform is poised to save Malaysia’s MISC Berhad significant staff travel and communications costs while improving collaboration and productivity. This in turn reduces the carbon footprint of its employees, enabling MISC Berhard to be a responsible corporate citizen.
• Renault
  The "new way of working" initiative at car manufacturer Renault encourages and supports a better work/life balance for its employees. Some Renault employees are already using Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007, integrated with the company's Voice over Internet Protocol(VoIP) hardware solution, to work from home or in offices, communicate in real time with instant messaging, see employee availability, and transition seamlessly to multiparty conferences.
• TANDBERG
  TANDBERG, a leading visual communications company and Microsoft Certified Partner, provides video conferencing solutions and services worldwide. TANDBERG designed its business-quality visual communications tools to work with Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 and Microsoft Office Communicator 2007, so TANDBERG customers can collaborate anywhere and anytime, whether at their desks, in a boardroom, or on the move, reducing their carbon footprint.
• The Food Standards Agency
  New tools will help the UK Food Standards Agency meet government targets to reduce the carbon footprint of all public sector enterprises. With virtualization and other Microsoft-based software tools such as presence awareness, video conferencing, and instant messaging, the agency will save money and reduce its resource consumption.
• Volvo IT
  Volvo IT turned to Microsoft technology, including Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007, to unify its real-time communication environment, and, at the same time, reduce audio conferencing bills. Now that Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 is deployed, Volvo IT wants to extend these benefits to remote workers to create a more flexible working environment, and to help ensure that remote workers are as productive as their office-based colleagues.
• Wakefield Metropolitan District Council
  The Wakefield Metropolitan District Council in the United Kingdom is using a Microsoft Services Premier Support agreement to support its Worksmart change program. With Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Wakefield is deploying the latest technologies to support Worksmart, saving money and reducing carbon emissions by allowing employees to work at home.
• Windrush Frozen Foods
  Increased working from home means that Windrush Frozen Foods employees spend less time traveling, saving them and the company money and reducing fuel consumption. Windrush is using peer-to-peer video conferencing to replace some face-to-face-meetings attended by employees from different warehouses.

Visualization of Environmental Impact

Learn how Microsoft visualization solutions are enabling companies to increase operational efficiencies and drive greater revenue, while delivering a better customer experience.

• Drive Assist
  Drive Assist, a UK credit-hire car service, used Microsoft Windows Mobile powered Pocket PCs to optimize its fleet's efficiency, saving time, resources, and fuel, and cutting emissions.
• Environmental Protection Agency
  One of the main responsibilities of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is to ensure public access to environmental information that is associated with facilities and sites across the country. The EPA does this by using Microsoft Virtual Earth technology, which offers high-resolution satellite and aerial imagery, fast response times, and smooth integration with environmental data sets.
• J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.
  Arkansas-based J.B. Hunt Transport Services sends trucks and drivers across Canada and the United States. To locate repair vendors for drivers and road service operators, the company has integrated Microsoft Virtual Earth mapping technology with data from computers and current vendor lists, cutting driver wait times and decreasing repair rework.
• Sungevity
  Sungevity wanted to avoid the traditional cost, liability, and management overhead of traveling to customers' homes to measure rooftops to calculate estimates for solar energy systems. To make solar energy affordable and accessible to "every homeowner with a view of the sun," says Chief Executive Officer Danny Kennedy, the company uses Microsoft Virtual Earth mapping technology to capture roof dimensions remotely.
• West Coast Sand & Gravel
  West Coast Sand and Gravel, a Los Angeles-based trucking services company, replaced its unreliable vehicle tracking system with a customized fleet management solution based on Microsoft MapPoint 2006 Fleet Edition. Today, dispatchers are working more productively with accurate location data, West Coast is cutting fuel costs by reducing truck idling time and optimizing routes, and customers are getting better service.

Other Solutions

By integrating environmental data with relational databases, companies can predict and prevent equipment failures, lowering their operational costs.

• Exelon
  To reduce hardware and labor costs while maintaining its stringent testing standards, Exelon, a large electric utility company, implemented virtual machines using Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 and Microsoft Windows Server 2003. Exelon was able to sharply reduce the number of servers it used as well as its server provisioning time.