ACPI is a new standard method for parts of the computer and peripherals to identify themselves and accomplished sophisticated power management. While the power capabilities are most applicable to portable equipment, they also offer the capability to significantly increase power management savings in desktop equipment.

The amount of electricity (in kWh) used by a piece of office equipment.

APM is a standard that defines mechanisms by which the processor controls power use by various system components while the system is in active use (see Intel/Microsoft, 1993 for further details).

For copiers, Auto-off is a feature that causes the copier to switch entirely off after a period of non-use, or based on a prespecified turnoff time.

The BIOS is the interface among the processor, cache and main memory and system busses which lead to add-on cards and some external peripherals, and also controls the initial stages of system start-up. The BIOS is a key element in most implementations of power management.

The settings in the equipment which, in the context of this guide, determine whether and how power management will occur. For computers , this is done in the BIOS (above) and the operating system. For other devices the settings are usually made with a keypad and a menu system.

Savings occurring during periods of inactivity during normal business hours.

The ability for a copier or printer to make double-sided copies as the default mode.

The doze mode is the first level of PC power management. The system clock slows or even halts.

DPMS defines four power management modes for monitors: On, Stand-by, Suspend and off. The presence or absence of particular (horizontal and vertical) synchronization signals or the entire video signal indicate to the monitor which power management mode to enter.

The Energy Star program was created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to encourage the manufacture and use of office and other equipment that reduces energy use and hence pollution from power plants. http://www.epa.gov/office

A device that can turn a piece of office equipment entirely off when it determines that it is not active.

A printer employing inked ribbon and mechanical impact to print characters, like an electric typewriter. These are usually found on mainframe systems and may be very large with high speed capacity.

The personnel in an organization that maintain the hardware and software infrastructure of computers, printers, networks, etc.

A printer which uses microscopic jets of liquid ink to product an image. These are usually small, low-speed printers that can print color images. They use much less power than laser printers.

A printer using a laser light source, a high-voltage electrostatic process and a high-temperature sealing roller to make high quality images using a dry toner. The high voltage supply and heat roller require a high power draw during the imaging process.

A state that a device can enter in which it consumes less power than the standard operating mode, but is not off.

A keyboard and video display device having no stand-alone computing power, which is used to communicate with a mainframe computer.

The agreement between office equipment manufacturers and the U.S. EPA on the criteria that Energy Star compliant products must meet, and the actions that each party will take to promote the program and compliant products.

The monitor for a PC is usually a cathode ray tube (CRT), and serves to display visual information. Energy Star monitors are able to enter low power modes of operation, but require signals from the PC to do so.

A combination printer and fax machine, commonly used in small offices. The print engine may be inkjet or laser.

Energy savings occurring after normal business hours. This includes weekend, holiday and vacation days as well.

Electronic devices for managing information, including (but not limited to) computers, monitors, printers, copiers, scanners, multifunction devices, and fax machines.

In this guide we generally use "PC" to refer to the processor and related hardware (that is, excluding external disks, printers, etc.), and not including the monitor. Sometimes "PC" refers to the entire system, but it should be clear from the context when this is meant. "Computer" power management includes PCs and monitors, as well as workstations.

Instantaneous electricity use (power) is measured in Watts (W), with the amount of electricity used over time typically measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh).

Electricity used by devices connected to ordinary electrical outlets. Examples for offices include office equipment, task lights, water coolers, and kitchen appliances.

Power management uses firmware, hardware and software solutions to conserves energy when the computer sets idle and enters defined states of inactivity.

An office device commonly used by more than one person, such as a copier, fax machine, or printer.

Sleep and Standby are the first low-power stages that turn down or turn off some peripherals and allows for almost immediate recovery.

The lowest powered mode for a PC. As many system components as possible are powered down, and the processor is halted.

A computer and monitor.