There are so many ways out there that businesses can go green. An often unexpected, yet effective way is via cloud computing. But why is this important? How can cloud computing actually make an impact on our environment?
Let’s start with the importance of going green for business nowadays. Our global market is seeing higher demand for companies that do not just focus on performing well. Instead, there is a greater focus and expectation that businesses also give back and contribute to society and our world. This means that businesses are highlighting their values more and making sure that environmental friendliness is a well-known company goal. Corporate social responsibility is a prime focus, making it part of businesses receiving greater attention and budget. Core values that include sustainability and caring about our planet are sought after, and the businesses that take this initiative to green significantly improve their brand image. Business benefits aside, it all comes down to saving the environment. Every bit of commitment helps and every party benefits, including businesses and the environment.
Enter cloud computing and how it can actually make an impact on our environment. Since cloud computing focuses on moving everything to the Internet and storing, managing and processing data through a nearby data center, cloud computing enables businesses to run their servers remotely and virtually. At its core, this is a more sustainable practice because instead of having multiple servers and data centers for each company, it is centered in larger and central data centers. Instead of purchasing hardware, that isn’t even always efficient, businesses can pay for the computing power they use and simply request more processing power if needed. Seeing the potential for greater environmental friendliness via cloud computing instead of traditional methods, businesses have an opportunity. Cloud computing would help companies work towards the goal of going green, so they can boost their corporate social responsibility and brand image, whilst help save the environment.
Here are 3 ways that cloud computing would help companies work towards this “green goal”.
Improve hardware efficiency
Whether you commit to a green data center or want to focus solely on ensuring your hardware is efficient, you can shift your environmental impact. With hardware that is performing to the best of its ability (and capacity), you can consolidate your computing resources, improve performance and be greener.
Green data centers
A green data center gives you the opportunity to be more eco-friendly simply through a computing facility that is dedicated towards being green. After set up (not including maintenance of course), you do not even have to think twice about it. It uses less energy and space and is designed to operate with the environment in mind. It involves using the least amount of electricity possible for cooling and can even include a green energy source, such as solar power. All in all, a green data center is a simple change to make and will result in maximizing your energy efficiency and minimizing your environmental impact.
Renewable sources of energy
Efficiency and performance are surely important, but the energy that helps you accomplish this is equally as crucial. The energy to run off of, even in the most efficient green data center can easily be transferred to a renewable source of energy. Apple, for example, had a goal of 100% renewable energy company-wide and by 2012 it derived most of its energy from solar power and claimed 75% renewable sourced energy.
In order to go green, a company/business individual must use the cloud efficiently. With constant developments and innovative minds driving cloud computing to more possibilities, this means constantly having something new to learn. For a business to keep up with trends and dynamics, there are many resources available. For example, there are plenty of online resources and even cloud certification available via the Internet. It is easy to get swept up into daily business practices and not have a ton of time to dedicate to too much outside of it, so it is especially important to have a trusted source to turn to in order to ensure you and your business are leveraging cloud computing to its maximum potential (both for environmental and other benefits).
