Wanting to green your data center is one thing; actually doing it is another thing entirely. If you're looking for help, IBM has a new consulting service that might be the ticket. IBM calls it "Green Sigma" because it's based on the well-known Lean Six Sigma principles of efficiency.

The consulting practice examines energy use and water use at enterprises, and can include supply chain partners as well. It then makes recommendations on ways to save on those resources. The practice goes beyond IT, but clearly IT can benefit tremendously from it.

IBM claims that since 1990, its internal own green efforts have saved a total of 4.6 billion kWh of electricity and more than $310 million, as well as avoiding more than three million metric tons of CO2 emissions.

For details about the program, see GreenBiz.com coverage or this IBM press release.