Patent ID: 8395621

Claim:
A method for providing a strategy for reducing the energy consumption of a data center, the method comprising: identifying a historical data center profile dataset which stores a plurality of historical data center configurations over a period of time; receiving an initial data center configuration that describes an inventory of information technology equipment of an initial data center; receiving an initial data center profile that describes characteristics of the initial data center; receiving a selected data center initiative that provides a strategy for reducing an energy use of the initial data center; determining a subset of data center configurations from the plurality of historical data center configurations described in the historical data center profile dataset wherein the subset of historical data center configurations provides historical data center configurations that have a similar profile as the initial data center; determining a range of energy use reduction achieved by the subset of historical data center configurations by implementing the selected data center initiative; receiving a target energy use reduction from the user, the target energy use reduction being selected from the range of energy use reduction achieved by the subset of historical data center configurations; determining a recommended data center configuration capable of achieving the target energy use reduction, wherein the recommended data center configuration is determined based on the initial data center configuration and the range of energy use reduction achieved by the subset of historical data center configurations; and providing the recommended data center configuration to the user.