TOKYO, Japan — Two Japanese tech giants today unveiled a new software solution that aims to centrally visualize the energy used by all those gadgets throughout office buildings.

Although the software platform is only available in Japan at its launch, the promise of the technology means it will no doubt be migrating abroad in the near future: By plugging all the computers, printers and multifunction devices into an office network, the new software can help cut energy used by office devices by as much as 30 percent.

The tool brings together Fuji Xerox's ApeosWare Management Suite of applications, with Fujitsu's Systemwalker Desktop Patrol operational management software to give companies a high-level view of the energy used by their computer and printer fleets, while also giving micro-level control over individual machines.

Although software and systems to manage computer fleets -- whether for software updates or energy use, or both -- is not uncommon, the companies said this is the first time the IT industry has worked to centrally control power use by individual computers and printing devices.

In addition to enabling significant cuts of energy use -- in product tests conducted in-house at both companies, 30 percent reductions were within reach, although other firms may of course have different results -- the new solution also helps companies report their environmental and energy use by periodically measuring power consumption and CO2 emissions.

Fujitsu has been stepping up its green game in recent weeks, with the recent launch of a formal CSR policy that emphasizes green IT, as well as its recent release of a partly biodegradable computer mouse made with a compostable shell.