Nightwatchman: PC Power Management System

Nightwatchman software will reduce energy consumption, lessen carbon footprint.

Learning & Technology Services (LTS), in cooperation with Facilities Management and Vice Provost Andrew Phillips, is in the process of acquiring and installing Nightwatchman software on Windows PCs throughout campus.

Nightwatchman is a computer management tool that is designed to reduce energy consumption through centralized scheduling of computer hibernation and shutdown. Managing energy consumption is an important aspect of the University's strategic plan, and LTS anticipates that Nightwatchman will play an important role in our effort to steward physical resources.

LTS conducted a pilot implementation of Nightwatchman during the summer of 2008. The Nightwatchman client was installed on the unit's desktop computers, and technical personnel tested the viability of the product. Pre- and post-tests indicated that the University can realize a substantial energy savings when Nightwatchman is deployed throughout the campus.

The product includes extensive customization features that will allow LTS to tailor our installation to meet the precise needs of individual users. Scripts are provided to close common applications gracefully before a shutdown occurs with any open documents backed up along the way. Users can receive a warning of impending shutdown combined with a countdown timer. Users also have the ability to defer shutdown operations on their individual desktop computers. Similarly, shutdowns can be automatically deferred if applications fail to close properly.

Nightwatchman is produced by 1e, an international organization based in London, UK. The product is designed to work in concert with Microsoft's System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) and Systems Management Server (SMS), products that LTS already employs to assist with computer hardware and software management. We anticipate that the acquisition of funding will be provided through a grant from the State of Wisconsin.