While users may complain that they don't want to print out private documents in front of colleagues, Sawyer says "more printers are getting security features that allow them to print confidential documents." She adds that consolidation "not only reduces the number of printers, but keeps maintenance costs down as well." Think of the money you'll save in toner alone.

What should go: Modem pools

Replace them with: VPNs and Secure Sockets Layer technologies

For years, companies have relied on modem pools to offer reliable access for remote users. However, this aging approach to users tunneling into the network is out of synch with the enterprise's move to enhanced security, according to Joanne Kossuth, CIO at Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering. Kossuth says that rather than relying on this insecure technology, companies should invest in virtual private networks (VPN) and Single Socket Layer (SSL) technologies to offer users a safe and reliable way to access critical applications and documents.

VPNs also offer greater speeds and SSL provides the security necessary to protect the enterprise from hackers and other vulnerabilities. "With the ubiquity of VPNs and SSL technologies today for remote access as well as the cost and security threat they present, modem pools should be gone," she says. While Kossuth is a fan of totally eliminating the technology, some IT veterans say having a very limited number of modems could be part of a backup/disaster recovery remote access strategy.