Can Technology be Green?
Gartner forecasts that by 2025, 50% of CIOs will have performance metrics tied to sustainability but technology, by its nature, is energy intensive. How can companies make IT more sustainable while delivering compelling solutions?
Tactics for Greener IT
1. Efficient Hardware
Consider more efficient hardware.
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- Move workloads to hyperscalers or cloud providers. Hyperscalers run at a higher capacity than traditional virtual servers, using less energy per application, and cloud providers access more efficient power and cooling than most organizations can access for an on-premises data center.
- Leverage virtual desktops on thin clients. This technology is improving and soon there will be zero clients which run on the same energy draw as a single lightbulb on a Christmas tree.
- Refresh with new heat-tolerant server designs that can run 10 degrees hotter than older servers, further reducing cooling and energy requirements.
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2. Remote Work
Enable and optimize remote work. Remote work helps reduce fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. It also helps improve air quality. During the pandemic and lockdowns that followed, several cities recorded dramatic improvements in air quality due to fewer commuters on the road. Additionally, remote work reduces paper usage, plastic waste, and you guessed it – energy consumption. Cloud-based unified communications, contact center, collaboration, and SASE services enable remote work and low-power endpoints.
3. Smart Technology
Smart technology (IoT) can also contribute to sustainability initiatives by improving air quality, reducing energy consumption, and reducing waste. Smart sensors can detect leaks and moisture. An optical meter reader can provide near real-time data for water, gas, electricity, temperature, and pressure to prevent leakage or waste. Combinations of sensors and connected devices embedded in pipes, equipment, and spaces can keep premises and workplaces safe, clean, and efficient. This helps businesses monitor their operation, avoid waste, and comply with environmental standards. IoT devices can also collect data from industrial machines, for example in manufacturing, to create models that predict when events of interest might occur, including potential downtime, accidents, or when something might need to be replaced. This allows enterprises to avoid breakdown, prevent waste and conduct more efficient operations.
Where to Start
ARG can assist with all the methods outlined above. Our team has helped thousands of clients move to the cloud and we understand the nuance and how to ensure a successful transition. Office 365 requires processing and local storage for a full experience. We can help you build VDI inside Azure to optimize your O365 experience.
ARG has tremendous expertise in UCaaS, CCaaS, collaboration, and SASE to help you optimize remote work. We can also help you find solution providers that are committed to sustainability to meet your sustainability requirements.
If you are ready to start an IoT initiative to drive efficiency into your operations, let us know. Get started on meeting your sustainability initiatives today by contacting ARG at info@myarg.com or by clicking the button below.