GreenITStrategy.com

So I am pretty sure we all use Visio to do our network diagrams & map out of architecture, however I recently found out about how Visio can be used to map out Green IT initiatives.  The Visio Toolbox site has all the goodies for Visio.  There are two particularly helpful tools in relation to Green IT specifically:

1. Rack Server Virtualization - this is an add-in you can download for free.  There is a good PDF as well explaining How to analyse Rack Server Virtualization.
2. HVAC Monitoring with Visio - using a partner HVAC tool, you can setup monitoring inside Visio.  For instructions on this DOWNLOAD the PDF.

Linking Data with Visio

The key to start using these tools are to know how to link data to a Visio diagram (you need Visio Professional for this functionality):

• For developers, check out this MSDN article on how to do this both programmatically: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb743267.aspx
• For IT Pros, open Visio, press F1 (Help), then search for "Create a detailed network diagram by using external data in Visio Professional"

Rack Server Virtualization: A planning scenario tool

Some key points on this add-in are:

• Identify the candidates for virtualisation from a rack & server view
• You can source data on elements like usage-over-time CPU utilisation direct from System Center Operations Manager (SCOM) or WMI to get current CPU utilisation (snapshot in time only)
• Before & After visual analysis
• Ability to export your report afterwards

For more Visio Green IT resources, go to:  http://visiotoolbox.com/en-US/visio_greenit.aspx