by Gail Bertram

Created on: March 21, 2009   Last Updated: April 24, 2009

Many small and medium-size IT companies feel helpless to compete against the power and productivity of larger corporations. However, in this cut-throat industry, there is one area where you can make a real difference when it comes to attracting clients and sealing the deal.

The green issue is becoming a huge selling point to many prospective customers and business partners. By making some minor alterations to day-today business operations and policies, you can have a positive effect on both the environment and your profits.

Small and medium-sized businesses have one key advantage when it comes to going green: because of a smaller work-force, it is easy to make new policies into habits that last a lifetime. By following the advice below, you can take the first steps to perpetuating an environmental ethos within you company.

* Energy Efficient Technology

In the field of information technology, equipment is paramount, but do the computers and peripherals that adorn the desks of your employees waste electricity and cut into profits? There is a wide range of energy efficient technology available, from computers to light bulbs, and even older machines have power saving features that can save a company hundreds of dollars every year. A simple task that takes seconds to set up can make a massive difference to operating costs and the environment.

* Turn It Off

Even the most energy efficient machine will still drink down the juice and push up the electricity bill if it is left on or in standby mode. Whether it's a light switch or a printer, a computer or a photocopier, remember the golden rule: turn it off at the wall. You can also purchase special devices that go into the socket which ensure all peripherals are fully switched off once the computer is shut down.

* Server Virtualization

By using a software application to divide a physical server into several virtual environments, you can fully utilize the server's hardware specifications such as capacity and processing power. It is possible to run multiple smaller servers off of one bigger physical entity, therefore reducing both the initial cost of buying multiple servers, and the amount of energy needed to maintain the resources.

* The Paperless Office

The early nineties brought this environmental ideal into existence, but it seems that every year the world accumulates more data and requires more paper on which to print it. By implementing restrictive printing policies, such as printing on both sides of the paper, and being

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