Automatic carbon offset gives SMEs peace of mind

Victoria-based IT services company, Combo, has become the first in Australia to bundle carbon offsets with their maintenance and support services.

The award-winning company has taken the decision to automatically purchase carbon offsets for PCs managed on behalf of clients, to counteract the effect on the environment of harmful gas emissions.

“We can’t go on destroying our planet. It’s not good enough to make carbon-offsets available at the point of sale and the customer pays,” said Managing Director, David Markus.

“Green choices should not be optional, so Combo will pay for carbon offsets for as long as we manage our client’s network.”

Combo has calculated the greenhouse gases emitted by both a PC and Server, and has taken the initiative to counterbalance these emissions with carbon offset investments.

The company was already purchasing carbon offsets for each of its service vehicles on the road and every computer in the Combo office, which also uses green power. Markus considered it a natural step to include carbon offsets for each PC managed on behalf of his clients.

Working primarily with SMEs running between 10 and 49 PCs, the company offers clients peace of mind on all fronts through proactive and value-based support services.

“We go beyond the box to solve business problems with business systems, working closely with our clients as their IT Manager,” said Markus.

“Our regular maintenance plans then ensure the system just keeps working. Clients pay us for a trouble-free outcome, and with our new total support plans, they don’t have to watch the clock as they are not charged by the hour.”

The new carbon offset initiative extends the peace of mind promise for clients who are concerned about the harmful effect technology is having on our environment.

Combo hopes that their ground-breaking initiative will also encourage other businesses to take responsibility for the emissions produced by the products they sell or service.

Currently working with Carbon Neutral, Combo is also researching renewable energy investments as an alternative way to offset the effect of harmful emissions from PCs.

“Carbon Neutral is delighted at Combo’s decision to offset greenhouse gas emissions associated with their business,” said Carbon Neutral General Manager/Director, Angela Tillier.

“We hope that other businesses will see the benefits for Australia and their business which flow from this. We all need to help the environment by reducing our emissions and offsetting what we cannot reduce.”

Further information

Combo has received the following awards & accolades in 2007:

• Champion of Information Technology at the inaugural Victoria Small Business Champion Awards
• Australian Achiever Award for Excellence in Customer Service in Victoria’s Computer Systems & Software Services category with a score of 100% Customer Satisfaction
• SmartCompany 50 List, which celebrates the top 50 fastest growing innovative companies in Australia: Combo came in at number 9
• BRW Fast 100 List, which placed Combo at number 69

For more on Combo, visit combo.com.au or contact:
David Markus
Combo
(03) 9482 6066
david@combo.com.au

The following image is owned by Combo and may only be used in conjunction with editorial on Combo’s carbon offset commitment. Click the thumbnail to download a high-resolution version: