CA beefs up eco software options

Business software giant CA Technologies has this week launched two new additions to its ecoSoftware suite, which aims to help companies track and reduce their energy usage.

The US software firm announced the launch of CA ecoMeter 3.0, an updated version of its flagship energy monitoring system. It features improved tracking of datacentre energy use, as well as a new CA ecoDesktop application designed to manage PC energy use and automatically power down machines that are left on overnight.

"As organisations become increasingly dependent on datacentres – either on premise or in the cloud – to provide critical applications and services, the challenges and risks associated with uptime, power and cooling capacity have become more pronounced," Terrence Clark, general manager for CA ecoSoftware, said in a statement.

"In addressing these challenges, our CA ecoSoftware solution reaches from the desktop to the datacentre and across the enterprise. It helps customers provide for availability, reduce costs, and more rapidly meet the demands of the business."

The company said the update to its ecoMeter suite integrates the software with networking giant Cisco's EnergyWise energy management devices. It also better tracks the energy use of a wide range of machines deployed in companies' datacentres.

Meanwhile, the CA ecoDesktop sees the company move into the fast-expanding PC power management market, where it joins specialist firms such as 1E and Verdiem in providing software capable of turning off machines that have been left on overnight.

John Madsen, IT manager for the municipality of Ballerup, Denmark, which has deployed the system, said that it is on track to reduce carbon emissions and deliver energy cost savings worth approximately $549,000 (£457,000) over three years.

The news came in the same week as rival PC power management firm Verdiem announced it, too, has teamed up with Cisco to integrate its software with the networking giant's EnergyWise systems.

The company announced that the two companies have jointly deployed its software on PCs and Macs operated by the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), potentially saving the organisation £2.73m in operating costs through to 2014.

"Deploying Verdiem Surveyor 6 and utilising Cisco EnergyWise capabilities has allowed us to significantly reduce our carbon footprint and accurately track our progress towards meeting our energy efficiency goals," said Damian Parkinson, director of information and communication technologies for GMFRS.

Demand for IT energy management systems is continuing to grow rapidly; a recent report from US analyst firm Pike Research suggests the technology could save companies $18.6bn a year by 2015.