Green IT – Responsible Actions for the Environment

The trend towards a Green IT-based system landscape is, according to the newest studies (Source: OVUM - Emerging Markets Prove to be a Growing Opportunity for Green IT, Datamonitor, Dec. 2009) no longer only a topic in western, industrialized nations. Energy costs in these countries have fallen significantly in recent years and a growing sense of environmental responsibility has driven a trend towards the responsible use of technology. In the so-called developing countries as well, such as India, China or Brazil, components are increasingly being used during IT installations which fall under the designation Green IT.

There are a multitude of options within the framework of the selection of components in order to achieve a more energy-efficient system architecture and thus more environmentally-friendly product. The energy efficiency can, for example, be achieved through the use of electricity-conserving processors and modern storage media such as "solid state disks”.

Green IT, however, cannot be reduced to the topic of energy efficiency alone. The avoidance of the use of hazardous materials within the components is at least as important. Lead and nickel-cadmium batteries, for example, are replaced by modern nickel-metal hybrid batteries. The packaging consists of environmentally-compatible materials. Styrofoam and plastic materials are avoided as much as is possible.

Despite the shorter innovation cycles, an extended usage duration of up to 12 years and more is an important cornerstone of the Green IT concept. The environment is protected via migration concepts and upgrade options and the investments of the users are simultaneously secured.
All of these measures contribute to optimizing the energy balance of the Wincor Nixdorf systems and preserving resources. They also help to reduce the operating expenses for the users. Wincor Nixdorf employs innovative solutions, such as the ProClassic/Enterprise Cash Management software in the banking industry so that the entire cash circulation can be analyzed, an overview of the entire process chain obtained and the cash holdings of all automated teller machines, checkouts and safes can be optimized. The resulting more efficient use of transit allows travel to be reduced by a third and a corresponding reduction in the CO2 emissions.

Wincor Nixdorf sees the desire to provide more service in an environmentally-friendly manner while simultaneously keeping the operating costs for the users low as an exciting challenge. Energy efficiency, availability and effective service concept are the decisive influential factors.