CenterBeam, Inc.

A report recently released by the International Energy Agency signals the need for low-carbon technology, Business Green relays.

Illinois is expecting a substantial increase in green IT jobs over the next few years, according to a recently released study entitled “IT Occupation Trends in Illinois.”

Cloud computing companies hoping to take advantage of the growing interest in their products are reminded that their success is almost solely dependent upon their ability to quickly answer questions from their customers and provide support, according to ChannelWeb. Intuit, manufacturer of Quickbooks and TurboTax, has used cloud computing to serve its clients for more than a decade and credits its dedication to customer service for its success.

Ixia, a global provider of converged network IT performance test systems, recently announced that it will use its newly developed iSimCity facilities to test technologies and rate them on their energy efficiency and commitment to the environment. The company is dedicated to providing clients with systems that reduce energy use without sacrificing performance, according to TMCNet.

Aside from cutting costs from the IT budget, cloud computing's benefits for the environment have been hailed as one its best features. For small businesses looking to do their part in conserving energy and making their business greener, there are a few ways to achieve that other than transitioning to cloud computing if that's not currently an option.

A group of global IT regulations organizations and providers recently announced that they have developed a globally recognized standard for energy efficiency at data centers operated by cloud computing providers, according to ZDNet.com. Power-usage effectiveness will now be the preferred standard for all data centers.

Even as cloud computing offers a more environmentally friendly alternative to on-site IT solutions, Greenpeace believes that cloud computing vendors have the opportunity to alter the entire IT industry's effect on climate change. The organization believes that cloud computing vendors must seek energy providers that use renewable energy rather than coal.

Microsoft announced recently that its latest cloud computing offering Azure is now available in India, according to the Economic Times. One of the strongest features of the new product and all cloud computing, according to the software giant, is its implications for the environment and a company's bottom line.

Energy Star announced on February 22 that it is near completion on a program that will measure the energy used by data storage centers. The program was announced first in March 2008 and is expected to begin in June.

A substantial number of government agencies are planning a shift to cloud computing, according to a study conducted by CompTIA. The motivations for the move are reducing IT costs and using more green IT solutions.