How IT can make your business more sustainable
IT makes your business more sustainable. But you can also work to make your IT usage more sustainable. Sound complicated? We'll break it down for you.
Environmental sustainability isn't just good for the planet – it's good for your bottom line. It also strengthens your company's reputation with customers and potential employees. Thinking sustainably and efficiently drives innovation. Digital technology has tremendous potential to reduce resource consumption and costs, from paper usage to business travel. Here are five ways your company can become more sustainable.
Make the most of your existing equipment
Many companies have impressive technical resources in the form of digital tools but only use a fraction of their capacity. This can be due to lack of knowledge, a mismatch between needs and technology, or other factors. One way to better utilize your technology is to assess the needs of the company as a whole and individual employees. What tools do they need to do their jobs? Do they need a new computer every other year, or would every third or fifth year suffice? If technology is going to last longer, it needs better maintenance. Simple things like quality bags, cases, and screen protectors make a big difference. But the inside needs maintenance too: regular software updates keep digital devices fast and functional for longer.
Sustainability can sound complicated and difficult, but we at Telia help our customers every day to work more sustainably. Often with simple tools within Microsoft's services.
Lease the IT equipment you need
When it's time to upgrade your equipment, leasing is a far more sustainable alternative to buying, both economically and environmentally. With Telia Finance, you decide exactly what you want, use it for as long as you need, and trade it in when your needs change. The technology you trade in is refurbished, reused, or recycled to minimize environmental impact.
Move to (sustainable) cloud services
Large-scale operations and specialization typically mean efficiency and resource savings. This also applies to cloud computing compared to local servers (on-premise). Microsoft recently opened new data centers in Sweden that are among the world's most sustainable in terms of energy use and hardware recycling. There are also many reasons to move data and applications to the cloud beyond resource savings, including data security, cost control, and reduced administration.
Better energy in and less energy out
Low-hanging fruit includes reviewing your energy usage. Turning off computers and monitors at night is easy. LED lighting, more efficient kitchen appliances, smart ventilation, and heating are other options, though more extensive. How electricity comes into the office is also important. The best option is to produce your own electricity with, for example, solar panels on the roof. If that's not possible, choosing your electricity supplier is another way to influence the sustainability of your energy use.
Work from home
During the pandemic, we developed new work patterns, particularly regarding where we work. Many companies that may have been hesitant to let employees work from home have found ways to make it work, saving both time and fuel through reduced commuting. When part of the workforce works from home, you don't need as much office space, which also saves money and energy through reduced heating costs, lower electricity consumption, and much more.