A JA-YE and HP partnership
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Tackling social & environmental issues with IT - How HP does it
Using mobile technology to improve access to microfinance in rural areas
A few years ago HP, working with seven leading micro finance organizations, launched a pilot programme to make microfinance more available and effective for customers. Working in partnership with USAID, the team created a mobile technology solution — the Remote Transaction System (RTS). Using a mobile device, field agents process loan payment and savings data electronically, storing and transmitting information that previously could only be tracked manually. The RTS allows low–income customers living in rural areas far better access to banking services.
Using IT to reduce the environmental impact of travelling and commuting
HP has introduced several technologies that help to reduce business travel and allow people to collaborate virtually. One example is, HP’s Halo Telepresence Service which can connect up to four Halo Studios around the world and allows people to “meet” in a high quality videoconferencing experience. Between April 2007 and March 2009, HP Halo studios at both HP and customer facilities have saved over 66,000 metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). That would have been equivalent to taking 12,000 cars off the road for one year.
HP recently introduced HP SkyRoom - software that enables affordable, high-definition videoconferences with up to four people. Users can share any type of application with other users, including office documents, video and interactive 3-D applications.
HP employees have been able to use remote access software to work from home. They just connect to HP’s network from their location, access all the information and programmes they normally would in the office and avoid the commute to work! Resulting in less travel and of course less greenhouse gas emissions.
One PC for up to 10 people
HP recently introduced a new solution called HP MultiSeat which allows up to 10 users to share a single PC while working on independent applications. Each user has a separate monitor, keyboard and mouse but shares the host computer. It enables schools and universities to increase student access to technology at a reduced cost. It also has an environmental benefit: less physical PCs mean less material are used and the energy use per seat is significantly less compared to traditional PC environments (up to 80%).
Reducing paper by going digital
HP has developed a solution that enables governments and educational institutions move away from pre-printed forms to on-demand electronic forms and document creation. Imagine, instead of going to your local city council to fill out a paper form to apply for their services, say a new passport, you could go to a website, fill in and submit the form online. The HP Forms and Document Automation solution helps to reduce paper and the environmental impacts associated with printing, storing, distribution and processing of pre-printed forms.
Another example is the new HP Handheld sp400 All-in-One device that UPS uses to print labels directly on packages – no more paper labels! The device is forecasted to save UPS more than $30 million over the next five years and helps to reduce paper usage and the environmental impacts of producing it.
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