Lease yourself some green blades or storage

OK, I'm SURE all of data center equipment vendor Verari Systems' competitors MUST offer leasing as a transaction option, but I haven't heard anyone else appeal so blatantly to green budgets or corporate mandates.

The company has introduced what it is calling the Green Leasing Program, which takes into consideration energy efficiency and lifecycle management as part of the leasing process.

The realist in me knows that this announcement is probably motivated more because of the current economic climate (which makes upfront data center investments really tough) than any kind of altruism. But its pretty smart, because it recognizes that management and ongoing technology refreshes are key to any green IT strategy. Frankly, it can help a company get started, even if it can't replace everything at once.

The Verari Financial Services Group considers several traditional phases of the IT acquisition process in the way it structures its leases: asset acquisition and financing of equipment; management, including ongoing technology refreshes; and recovery services, such as trade-ins or disposition. It also works in conjunction with the energy credit incentives that some utility companies offer as an incentive for businesses to invest in more energy-efficiency equipment. Because Verari will account for the impact of energy credits in a lease, it can offer a lower payment.