Green IT Budgets Expected to Grow
Among 1,052 large-company IT executives surveyed in March by Symantec, 72% predicted an increase in green IT budgets over the next 12 months. With a median IT budget of $90 million to $100 million, and a median 16% to 20% of that budget being spent on electricity for data centers, the typical company is spending somewhere between $14 million and $20 million a year on data center electricity. "It makes sense then, that companies would be willing to increase budgets for green IT, if with that expenditure comes an expectation of lower power bills," the Symantec report concludes.
The survey respondents indicated that green considerations are part of the purchasing process this year. Sixty-four percent of companies said that they would pay at least 10 percent more for a more energy efficient product of equivalent functionality. One third would be willing to pay at least 20 percent more. Additionally, 92% of companies said they were somewhat/significantly interested in purchasing energy efficient hardware, followed by re-laying out the data center for more effective cooling and energy consumption (84%) and exploring alternative ways to generate power, such as solar/wind (70%).
Symantec surveyed IT executives at 1,052 large companies worldwide, 426 in North America. Almost all (97%) of these companies are at least discussing a green IT strategy, 67% are in discussion or trial stages, while 30% have already implemented a strategy.
Reducing energy consumption (92%) and reducing cooling costs (91%) were the most important reasons companies listed for implementing green IT. However, reducing polluting energy (87%) and a desire from corporate headquarters to qualify as "green" (86%) were nearly as important.
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