Thin Client Computing Pays Off for Enterprise Rent A Car
Director of corporate sustainability says the company expects to save $500,000
IT Innovation
MORE INFORMATION
2009 INNOVATIONS REVIEW
Companies find that environmental sustainability helps reduce costs and gain advantages.
To run its business, Enterprise Rent A Car needs lots of computing power—45,000 terminals across the U.S.—so it makes sense that the company moved to a thin client system last year.
"We've been looking for opportunities to think about our business in a more strategic way when it comes to environmental issues," says Lee Broughton, the head of corporate sustainability for Enterprise.
The company says that it expects to save about $500,000 in energy costs and reduce its carbon footprint by 6.5 million pounds a year as a result of the switch, without giving up any computer functionality. Says Broughton: "There really isn't, for you and me, as computer users, any disadvantage."
Broughton says that the thin client terminal uses 13.6 watts of electricity when active and 2.4 watts during nighttime and down time. That compares with a PC, which uses 77.1 watts while active and 1.8 watts when in sleep mode. Enterprise uses a mix of Wyse and Computer Lab International terminals and servers from HP.
Posted: 20-Apr-2009; Updated: 06-Apr-2009
