Computer Power Management for Enterprises A Practical Guide for Saving up to $100 per Seat Annually in Electricity

Abstract

While the use of monitor power management features has become fairly widespread in the United States, relatively few enterprises utilize computer power management (CPM) features - also known as computer "sleep settings". Since activating CPM features in desktop and notebook operating systems can save up to $50 per computer annually (and up to $100 per computer where monitor sleep settings aren't already in use), we set out to understand the most common barriers to the use CPM features in enterprise IT environments. Our goal was to develop a set of practical instructions for overcoming technical and other hurdles that stand in the way of their widespread adoption. We first confirmed that the core challenge lay in making CPM compatible with regular computer maintenance tasks - specifically, the periodic delivery of software updates and security patches. IT administrators were concerned that sleeping computers might interfere with these important maintenance events. We subsequently focused our research on developing a set of solutions for maintaining sleep-enabled computers. This paper offers practical guidance for IT managers who want to realize the full energy savings potential of CPM features, without compromising a well-maintained and secure IT environment