PeopleSoft's software allows users to book conference rooms, offices, cubicles and the like via a Web browser or Outlook. It can also be expanded to include a company's car fleet, for instance.

Now, it sounds pretty straightforward, but the possibilities for greening are limitless. For instance, if your company has embraced telecommuting, why incur the heating and energy costs of keeping cubes vacant?

By employing the concepts of "office hoteling" or "hot desking", facilities managers can keep a pool of cubicles in rotation instead of an office full of sporadically "peopled" cubes (pun intended). This way, a business can save on heating, electricity, and in some cases, even real estate costs for when -- and where -- those teleworkers or flextimers show up.

The same functions can help while booking conference rooms and auditoriums. Instead of assigning a massive hall for your 10-person meeting, the software can be set to automatically book a more intimate locale with the required amenities. The more extravagant venues won't even show up as options, if so configured.

What's more, energy savings are automatic if the software is interfaced with automated lighting and HVAC systems, allowing facilities managers to bring lights, heating/AC and equipment online in time for the meeting or event to start.

Pretty cool, but will companies listen?

Anderson believes so. He's under no allusions that businesses exist to make money and going green can take a back seat to profits. Nonetheless, he sees his customers (and new ones, perhaps) embracing these new features. Partly because of how corporations are warming to earth-friendly practices, but mostly because he prides himself in keeping his fingers on the pulse of his customers' needs.

"Most people wouldn't call it mission critical, but we haven't lost a single customer in seven years," he says. And with the likes of GM, Proctor and Gamble, Apple, Bank of America on that customer list, plus 5 million users, I'll take him at his word.

Anderson also says that his company is investigating presence detection technologies to further drive up efficiency and calculate individual carbon footprints. They are also toying with the idea of a provocative licensing model that green-tinted managers may find enticing, but you'll have to watch this space to see if/when it happens.

Visit the PeopleCube site and their blog for more green info and outlooks.