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Make it a policy to shut down all systems at night. Every workstation should be connected to the power distribution system via a switchable surge protector and it is turned OFF at the end of the work day. This has a side-benefit of helping to secure data from midnight hackers. It's easy to schedule total system shut-down immediately after the mandatory end-of-day data backup.

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Consider telecommuting for some employees: if your business model permits it, some employees are often willing to work for a bit less an hour as they avoid transportation costs. Employees such as tech writers, software dabblers (c'mon-you know that's what some of them are doing), transcriptionists-all can work from home. They can come into the office weekly for staff meetings, to synchronize schedules, upgrade software to their laptops and become familiar with new systems and their place in them. As a security factor, it's better if the business itself owns the laptop workstation and employees understand and sign agreements including strict rules for its use. Don't duplicate capacity with additional office-based workstations for these people-one or two machines should do for their few in-office needs.

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Many forms of data don't have to leave the desktop for long periods of time. If interaction with the network isn't necessary, don't network it except when needed. Crucial data can be exchanged in short bursts via VPN or thin client-no need to keep a connection open at all times.

Products:

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Buy only Energy Star-compliant gear, and don't overbuy.

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Never be afraid to ask the manufacturers for data sheets on every item they sell. Do they sell greener cables, work stations using less hazardous materials? Some do-and if enough prospective customers ask, they all soon will! The newer energy-saving chips are now available and you can work green there, too.

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Only purchase the equipment you need: The receptionist, the executive secretary, the service counter guy are never going to need a screaming-fast mega-humbuggular system. Don't spend the money on it-or waste the energy.

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Do you really need a 32-port Ethernet hub? Would you like to save a few hundred bucks while improving your green footprint?

Laser printers suck up power like a sponge. You may not be able to get away from printing entirely but you can make it cheaper and greener.

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Print in duplex wherever possible. Print in draft mode for daily in-house docs to save ink.

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Don't print memos, email them. Rather that archive documents on paper,

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