Company: Aplicor
Company Description: Aplicor is a global software publisher of subscription-based and hosted CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software solutions for high growth, mid-market and enterprise organizations.
Nomination Category: Products & Product Management Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Product Development/Management Department of the Year

Nomination Title: Aplicor's Green Approach to Software Product Development

Tell the story about what this nominated organization/department achieved since January 1 2008 (up to 500 words). Focus on specific accomplishments, and relate these accomplishments to past performance or industry norms. Be sure to mention obstacles overcome, innovations or discoveries made, and outcomes:

In reviewing Aplicor’s commitment to minimize the impact we have on the
environment, we quickly realized that only through genuine innovation in our
core software products (PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT) could we further reduce our energy
consumption and the negative impact our business has on the environment.  In a
rare merger of product development and operations collaboration, we were able
to make a dramatic 39% reduction in our energy consumption companywide.

Software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions have inherent qualities that make them
more environment ally friendly than traditional on-premise software systems. 
By sharing infrastructure, the amount of hardware is reduced which means less
raw materials are used, less power is consumed over time, and that there is
less waste to be recycled or sent to landfills.  We had exhausted the
traditional approach of consolidating servers and virtualization and wanted to
make even further cuts in our footprint. Thus, we could not be satisfied with
the basic value that SaaS contributes to the environment and established an
ambitious goal of minimizing the adverse impact of our business on the
environment by the end of 2008.

We began with a complete review of our energy consumption since that is the
primary manner in which Aplicor is impacting the environment at present.  What
became evident what that the underlying construction of our software
(“architecture” in technology speak) necessitated multiple types of hardware to
operate when in fact there was significant potential to consolidate software
components to reduce the amount of hardware needed to run them.  We began a
project that was headed by our product development team to look outward at what
customers used in our core product and assess ways to provide the same
functions with less segregation of processing.  Our software developers then
reviewed the interactions between the components to combine services and run
them from a consolidated server.  Finally, our data center operations group was
able to free the physical resources and reapply them to our expanding customer
base as opposed to purchasing more equipment.  Aplicor now operates its entire
customer base on less processing hardware than any other major CRM or ERP
systems provider.  In total, we cut our energy consumption by 39% on a per
customer adjusted basis.

Aplicor’s energy savings program has done more than save the environment.  Our
software was re-engineered to enable continued functional growth without adding
more hardware.  Our clients have enjoyed steady costs (no increases in 5 years)
as we seek operational savings.  And we all sleep easier knowing that we’re
leaving less of a mark on the planet.

List hyperlinks to any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that support the claims made in the section above. IMPORTANT: Begin each link with http://, and enclose each link in square brackets; for example, [http://www.youraddress.com]:

Aplicor Named to "Top Green IT Companies" by IDG COMPUTERWORLD
http://www.aplicor.com/press_release_2-18-2008.htm

SaaS is Green
http://blog.aplicor.com/071001.htm

Aplicor’s Six Sigma Methodical Approach to Data Center Management
http://www.aplicor.com/client_assurances.htm

Aplicor Data Center Hosting Infrastructure
http://www.aplicor.com/hosting_advantages.htm

Provide a brief (up to 100 words) biography about the leader(s) of the nominated organization/department:

Chuck Schaeffer provides data center leadership, executive sponsorship for
environmental impact related projects and delivers environmental awareness
training programs four times per year. Chuck also participates on two data
center professional associations and chairs the Green Reform committee. Chuck
has authored two Request For Comment (RFC) memorandums suggesting tax
incentives for environmental impact achievements.

Chuck's credentials include BS, MBA, CPA, Certified Project Manager (CPM), Six
Sigma Blackbelt, ISO Certified Lead Auditor, Certified CRM Specialist (CCRMS)
and other technical certifications. Chuck is a foster parent, volunteer with
two non-profit organizations and active in community service programs.