As the IT industry looks to cut costs, companies are often tempted to abandon their green PC initiatives. This move, however, may end up costing them more in the long run as research proves most companies actually save money by turning green.
"Faced with an economic downturn, many organisations tend to cut back on soft programmes - such as green efforts - as a cost saving measure," said Steve Kleynhans, research vice president of IT research company Gartner.
"However, companies need to pursue these low-risk initiatives as they often provide quick returns that are especially attractive in a cost-cutting environment."
The costs of going green are usually recovered within 12 to 18 months and do not significantly add to companies' current operating costs, Kleynhans said.
Gartner suggested a number of moves for IT departments to make for a successful transition to green PC operations.
First, companies are urged to purchase new PCs that carry an eco-friendly label signifying they can reduce power consumption by over 20 per cent. This move can be very beneficial for the company, as it reduces energy costs.
Second, the IT research company also urges users to put their computers into a low power state when they are not using them. This move also reduces energy costs.
Additionally, companies should make sure their old computer parts are properly recycled when replace their older machines, Gartner said.
