Why Green Computing Now Matters To CIOs

I spoke this morning with Ned Renzi, a partner in Pittsburgh-based VC Birchmere Ventures, and he's the first investor I've talked to about the whole "green" computing phenomenon who's been able to capture why some CIOs are starting to pay attention to the concept, and why all should start thinking about it soon. And the reason isn't solely based on an inconvenient truth...

Brian Gillooly, Content Director, InformationWeek

May 3, 2007

1 Min Read

I spoke this morning with Ned Renzi, a partner in Pittsburgh-based VC Birchmere Ventures, and he's the first investor I've talked to about the whole "green" computing phenomenon who's been able to capture why some CIOs are starting to pay attention to the concept, and why all should start thinking about it soon. And the reason isn't solely based on an inconvenient truth...Renzi says CIOs, including University of Pittsburgh Medical Center CIO Dan Drawbaugh (InformationWeek's most recent Chief of the Year), are telling him that they're paying attention to concepts that just two years ago didn't even register a blip on the radar. Those include end-to-end IT asset disposal and recycling, power consumption in the data center, and alternative energies. One big reason why CIOs need to pay attention to these concepts, says Renzi: at many companies, the cost for energy consumption in the corporation is being allocated out to the business units in tangible budget line items. And in some cases, compensation is being tied to keeping those costs down. In the CIO's budget, that means keeping those huge data center energy costs under control. So no matter what your belief in global warming, when compensation and performance evaluation are involved, it becomes an issue that matters very, very locally.

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About the Author(s)

Brian Gillooly

Content Director, InformationWeek

Brian Gillooly has spent the past 30+ years establishing a trusted and significant presence in the business technology community. One of the most recognized personalities in IT media, Brian has built valuable relationships with the most influential practitioners in the technology industry. He counts among his closest contacts the CIOs of a range of organizations – from Fortune 50 companies to small businesses.

As the Content Director for InformationWeek, Brian is responsible for developing a vision that provides both the audience and the client with clarity and insight into today's most challenging business technology issues.

Previously, as Editor-in-Chief of Optimize and Editor-in-Chief of InformationWeek events, Brian not only engaged the people who helped shape the direction of business technology – notables like Jack Welch, Rob Carter, Malcolm Gladwell, and Michael Dell – but also shared trusted opinions and ideas through his CIO Nation blog and weekly columns. He has offered hands-on insight through presentations at numerous live events and one-on-one meetings.

In his career in generating event content, moderating discussions, and giving presentations, Brian has developed a unique rapport with his audiences by eschewing the staid lecture style, and establishing a comfortable, often fun, always informative approach.

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