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TECH SUPPORT first and foremost. If we can do both [in one project], we're happy to look at it." Of Stikemans' server virtualization and consolidation initiative, which dras- tically reduces power consumption and thus both costs and emissions, director of technology Venky Srinivasan says, "I wouldn't say [the environmental im- pacts] are an afterthought exactly; I'd say they were an added benefit." That's the beauty of green IT, says Jeff Wack- er, a director of strategy at IT outsourcer EDS and tireless campaigner for green IT. It's "eco squared," delivering both ecological and economic benefits. Technology managers don't have to create separate green ini- tiatives. They can simply pursue cost reductions and other business objectives — "and claim the victory," as Wacker puts it. How can law firms claim the environ- multiple virtual servers on one physical machine using modern server technol- ogy such as blade-type products, which also use less power to begin with and take up less room in data centres than older technology. Either way, the objec- tive is higher utilization and less waste: fewer physical computers, drawing less power, and therefore reduced emis- sions. being left powered on," says Hause. Stikemans is looking at using similar "Our goal is to consume up to 50-per-cent less power, which will save 48 tonnes of CO2 emissions [annually]. — LAURIE HAUSE, SISKINDS LLP At Siskinds, consolidation and vir- mental victory, while reaping business benefits? Two broad ways: by reducing emissions directly or indirectly in their own operations, and by fostering the use of IT to reduce emissions in other areas of the firm — using videoconferencing to replace travel, for example. In the first category, server virtualiza- tion and consolidation are among the most effective. In traditional data centres, each server typically is dedicated to one application, to simplify management and ensure adequate capacity. Utilization, the per- centage of computing resources actually being used at any time, typically runs in the single digits. But servers draw the same amount of power whether they're at five- or 85-per-cent utilization. In other words, the traditional approach wasted power — big time. And in recent years, the cost of electricity to run com- puters and peripherals has skyrocketed. It now costs as much to power a server for three years — its usual amortization period — as it does to buy it, Wacker points out. It's possible in some cases to simply consolidate multiple applications on one server. It's also possible to create tualization initiatives have improved server utilization dramatically. It now runs between 65 and 80 per cent. The firm is also now using the latest-gen- eration blade servers which are 20- to 25-per-cent more power-efficient than earlier products, which in turn are 60- or 70-per-cent more efficient than non- blade servers, says Hause. Stikemans is also "heavily invested in" virtualization. Within the next year, the firm plans to reduce the number of serv- ers in its Toronto data centre from 102 to 35, says Srinivasan. That will produce a significant reduction in power con- sumption and emissions. Virtualization does require investing in newer technology for servers and vir- tualization software. "But it returns 10 times what you're going to invest in it," says Wacker. "And that goes directly to the bottom line." Consolidation is one way to reduce IT power consumption. Just turning work- stations and printers off when they're not in use is another. Siskinds' IT team en- courages firm members to turn off, but the firm is also looking at implementing technology to automatically shut down workstations at nights and on weekends if they're not in use. "Because we're pret- ty sure the majority at this point are still That's the equivalent of taking eight cars off the road or planting 141 trees." technology. It has also standardized, on printers that can be configured, to go into a power-saving sleep mode after 15 minutes of inactivity. Last year, the firm replaced remaining CRT moni- tors with LCDs, which use significantly less power. And it is now looking at outsourcing data-centre management, moving servers to a managed site con- nected to its offices by high-speed data connection. Using a shared facility reduc- es data centre costs and ensures better security. And because an outsourcer's prof- itability depends on efficient use of power and cooling, they do a better job of it, which again means fewer emissions, says Srinivasan. Reducing printing is another rela- tively simple way law firms can help the environment. It cuts power consump- tion (and costs) locally, saves trees, and also reduces upstream and downstream environmental impacts related to pulp and paper production, transportation of paper and printed material. Stikemans and Siskinds have both mounted education campaigns to dis- courage printing: Do you really need to print that e-mail? They are also both configuring printers to do double-sided printing by default, which saves at least some costs. Siskinds is also implementing a new digital-records information-manage- ment system. Instead of storing box loads of printed case materials, the firm will scan everything and store document images online. It will reduce storage costs and related environmental impacts (power consumption etc.). It will also make it easier for lawyers to retrieve ar- chival material. Firms should be looking for ways to use IT to help green other parts of the organization as well, says Wacker. Stike- mans and Siskinds have both used tele- conferencing and videoconferencing for years. Environmental concerns are not www. C ANADIAN Law ye rmag.com SEPTEMBER 2008 29