Indian SMBs strive to cut energy costs

Bangalore

November 15th, 2007

Energy costs was one of the biggest cost increases for Indian SMBs over the
past two years according to the results of an IBM global survey. As energy costs
increased, 64 percent of Indian SMBs, compared to 58 percent globally, expressed
concern over the environment and 64 percent had put environmental policies in
place.

The survey, which had interviewed 1,373 businesses with between 50 and 500
employees in eight countries, indicated that most businesses surveyed had
expressed concern for the environment and were taking steps to reduce energy
costs.

In India, 54 percent of the Indian respondents indicated that they would make
energy-reducing decisions based on those environmental concerns, but only 32
percent had made or were planning to make changes to help reduce their energy
costs compared to 47 percent globally.

However, small businesses in India had begun to make some changes, such as
turning off non-essential equipment after hours and using more energy efficient
lighting.

Another area, ranked high amongst SMBs in India, is IT. The survey found that
IT had become a priority for SMBs looking to curb energy costs. In India, 53
percent of SMBs interviewed had been taking active steps toward reducing the
energy consumption of their IT.

A recent research from IDC had estimated that for every dollar spent on IT,
50 cents is spent on related energy costs.