17 Nov 2009 11:11:04

Cloud computing is driving energy efficiency, says 451 Group

Cloud computing could help businesses become more energy efficient, according to the 451 Group.

Speaking at the Green IT Expo 2009, Andy Lawrence, research director at the independent technology industry analysis company, said that cloud computing "really suits energy efficiency" but providers of the service need to prove this.

A survey carried out by Osterman Research of more than 200 IT professionals showed that nearly 40 per cent of respondents were confused by the concept of cloud computing.

In addition, a third of IT professionals claimed that they thought the idea was "more hype than substance".

Mr Lawrence said: "Is cloud pushing a general drive towards greater efficiency? Yes."

He added: "However … at the moment, no cloud provider that I'm aware of can actually prove that they are more energy efficient than, for example, internal IT supplies. So, I think that they are going to come under pressure to start producing metrics to demonstrate that."

Businesses using cloud computing do not own their own IT infrastructure but instead rent necessary equipment from a third-party.

This enables them to avoid capital expenditure, as customers are only required to pay for resources that they actually use.

http://www.greenitexpo.com/