Green IT at Applied Materials

Green Information Technology (IT) is a critical part of Applied Materials’ greenhouse gas reduction efforts. What started as a modest program in 2007 has evolved into an integral part of every IT project and investment decision including data center optimization, desktop and device improvements and remote collaboration tools.

The Data Center

Applied Materials has substantially reduced the energy required to run our data centers through increased use of virtualization and consolidation. Our first big push into virtualization started in 2005 when 500 physical servers were consolidated onto 40 physical machines (PM) running 500 virtual servers. We now have 1,098 virtual machines running on 78 physical machines. We can provide the same computing power with 75% less energy.

In California, we consolidated 27 server rooms into one self-contained micro-environment. This reduced real estate from 7,300 to 2,000 sq ft., retired 163 servers and reduced electrical power by 34%.

In 2009, we completed several projects to increase the cooling efficiency of our Austin Data Center by installing a high-efficiency membrane roof; implementing blade server technology, reducing electrical base footprint; analyzing the floor plan and air flow, reconfiguring server racks into hot /cold aisle, and partnering with the local utility on a rebate program for retiring older equipment thereby reducing sustained load by 37.1 kWh. When the time came to expand the center, we used the same highly efficient, self-contained, hot aisle/cold aisle system used in California.

PCs, Printers and More

On desktops, we long ago phased out the CRT monitors for the more space and energy-efficient LCD monitors. In our last PC update, all PCs were replaced with energy-star compliant models and our new PC images had aggressive hibernation settings. We also consolidated hundreds of printers, faxes and copiers into high-efficiency multi-function devices, reducing systems from 1,253 to 552. This led to a 62% decrease in solid waste and 61% reduction in CO2 emissions.

Remote Collaboration

One of the most effective ways for an IT organization to multiply its green impact is to make it easier for the rest of the company to do business without traveling. This can mean less commuting, less interoffice moves within metro areas and less national and international travel.

Applied Materials has deployed several tools to enable remote collaboration including audio, video and web conferencing, instant messaging, portable extension IP software phones, SharePoint, and remote access methods such as virtual private networks and virtualized application access. The company recently launched desktop voice and video calling and improved desktop sharing through Microsoft Office Communicator.

For frequent home workers, we also offer an Applied-configured Cisco router in workers’ homes allowing always-on network access and a home work extension.

For executive and customer-facing teams we offer high-definition, lifelike, telepresence meeting rooms in Texas; California; China; Israel; Japan; Singapore, and Taiwan.

Looking ahead, we see continued aggressive use of server virtualization as well as further opportunities to consolidate server rooms in our global locations. We are enhancing our telepresence capabilities to facilitate larger staff meetings and our next round of PC upgrades will include advanced energy savings features.