PowerMAN (Software)
Encyclopedia
PowerMAN is a computer software
program that allows PC power management
to be centrally monitored and managed. The software allows an enterprise-wide power management strategy to be implemented. The product is used by many public sector organisations in both the US and UK. It is also used by leading academic institutions for the management of both staff and student computers. The software is produced by Data Synergy which is based in Sheffield
, UK. Data Synergy is a member of the Climate Savers Computing Initiative
.
tools.This straight forward approach is in contrast to many competing solutions that require new consoles or administration tools to be learnt. The reporting features collect information about each computer and allows a variety of reports to be generated. The manufacturers claim that the combination of management and reporting enhance the effectiveness of the solution.
Computer software
Computer software, or just software, is a collection of computer programs and related data that provide the instructions for telling a computer what to do and how to do it....
program that allows PC power management
PC power management
PC power management refers to the mechanism for controlling the power use of personal computer hardware. This is typically through the use of software that puts the hardware into the lowest power demand state available...
to be centrally monitored and managed. The software allows an enterprise-wide power management strategy to be implemented. The product is used by many public sector organisations in both the US and UK. It is also used by leading academic institutions for the management of both staff and student computers. The software is produced by Data Synergy which is based in Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, UK. Data Synergy is a member of the Climate Savers Computing Initiative
Climate Savers Computing Initiative
The Climate Savers Computing Initiative is a nonprofit group of consumers, businesses and conservation organizations dedicated to promoting smart technologies that can improve the power efficiency and reduce the energy consumption of computers...
.
Features
PowerMAN allows different power management profiles to be configured for different users, computers and times using native Windows Active DirectoryActive Directory
Active Directory is a directory service created by Microsoft for Windows domain networks. It is included in most Windows Server operating systems. Server computers on which Active Directory is running are called domain controllers....
tools.This straight forward approach is in contrast to many competing solutions that require new consoles or administration tools to be learnt. The reporting features collect information about each computer and allows a variety of reports to be generated. The manufacturers claim that the combination of management and reporting enhance the effectiveness of the solution.
Research
PowerMAN has a background in the academic sector and has been used in several research projects:- Liverpool University use PowerMAN to managed PC power usage with the Condor High-Throughput Computing System. The JISC funded SusteIT conference at the University of SheffieldUniversity of SheffieldThe University of Sheffield is a research university based in the city of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. It is one of the original 'red brick' universities and is a member of the Russell Group of leading research intensive universities...
included a presentation on PowerMAN by Liverpool University
- Sheffield NHS Teaching HospitalsSheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustSheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the largest of the United Kingdom's current 140 NHS Foundation Trusts. The Chief Executive is Sir Andrew Cash and the Medical Director Professor Michael Richmond....
reported that PC power management poses particular challenges in a hospital environment but using PowerMAN these problems could be overcome and save over £70,000 and 350 tonnes of CO2 per year.
- Iowa State UniversityIowa State UniversityIowa State University of Science and Technology, more commonly known as Iowa State University , is a public land-grant and space-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa, United States. Iowa State has produced astronauts, scientists, and Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, along with a host of...
reported a realized savings period of 23 days and projected annual savings of $49,000 for 500 computers.
- University of SussexUniversity of SussexThe University of Sussex is an English public research university situated next to the East Sussex village of Falmer, within the city of Brighton and Hove. The University received its Royal Charter in August 1961....
implemented a PowerMAN project on 3,500 PCs using Salix funding and reported an estimated 203tons CO2 saving with a project payback in around 6 months.
- A Salix report contrasted similar sized (3,500) PowerMAN and Verdiem projects at the University of SussexUniversity of SussexThe University of Sussex is an English public research university situated next to the East Sussex village of Falmer, within the city of Brighton and Hove. The University received its Royal Charter in August 1961....
and the University of the West of EnglandUniversity of the West of EnglandThe University of the West of England is a university based in the English city of Bristol. Its main campus is at Frenchay, about five miles north of the city centre...
with payback periods of 0.5 and 2.5 years respectively.
- The University of East AngliaUniversity of East AngliaThe University of East Anglia is a public research university based in Norwich, United Kingdom. It was established in 1963, and is a founder-member of the 1994 Group of research-intensive universities.-History:...
Sustainable ICT Service Provision project reported a decrease of up to 40% in PC energy costs. This equated to an average annual saving per PC of 269 kW·h and a reduction in running costs of £27 per year. The report concluded that when applied to all student IT areas this would reduce CO2 emissions by 188,111 kg and running costs by £35,496.
- The University of OxfordUniversity of OxfordThe University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
Low-carbon ICT Project conference 'Keeping IT Clean' studied a number of competitor PC power management products and included a university led case-study on PowerMAN