A feature at Chain Store Age makes the point that corporate security and energy management initiatives and technology have a lot in common and can be implemented in tandem. New software that uses private or public/private hybrid clouds to support energy management and security software can simultaneously increase data safety and “significantly” cut energy costs. The writer cites the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers for that insight.
In May, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) estimated that $3 billion in energy costs could be saved annually in an industry that consumes $20 billion in energy. Generating this level of savings requires installation of sophisticated management and remote and cloud-based control capabilities. These capabilities must include the ability to power systems up and down and repair electronic equipment. It also requires a ubiquitous high level view of who is connected to devices and what they are doing. These are the same capabilities that are necessary to secure facilities, and both are available through savvy use of the cloud. Thus, coordination of energy and security efforts are synergistic and help fulfill both corporate mandates.
