Cisco Systems announced today the release of software developed in partnership with Seattle-based Verdiem to automatically save energy in idling computers, phones, networked devices, and eventually, whole buildings. The first version of the product will be available in February as a free upgrade to Cisco’s network switch, to manage energy usage of IP devices. Next summer, Cisco will release a version based on Verdiem’s software to save PC energy, and in 2010 a version will be released that monitors whole-building energy, including lighting and heating. Customers can adjust settings to have computers or other appliances automatically shut off overnight, for example.