Greener computing

Information Technology (IT) is using leading-edge tech­nology to “go green” at USPS data centers.

During the past three years, IT has rolled out technology that allows multiple applications to run on a single server. This process, called “virtualization,” makes the most of the available resources at each server and has allowed IT to eliminate more than 1,600 servers at the Eagan, MN, and San Mateo, CA, data centers.

By replacing outmoded equipment with energy-efficient equipment, USPS has earned rebates of more than $250,000 from power companies. In addition, consolidat­ing servers has saved $2 million in hardware maintenance costs.