OnNow Initiative

In an attempt to standardize (read: abstract) the various approaches to power management, Microsoft developed the OnNow Initiative. This specification builds on the capabilities of the hardware, providing a common platform for the various Microsoft operating systems to exploit.

The OnNow initiative abstracts the power management capabilities of the system (mainboard) and devices. While individual devices may incorporate many clever powering schemes, the OnNow model describes distinct power states that a device or system can occupy at any given time.