In the past, businesses had a choice when it came to digital transformation – they could dive in, or just wait it out and see what happened. That time has come and gone. Digital transformation is no longer optional.
When enough companies transition to the technologies and processes that make up “digital,” experts believe there will also be a positive impact on the Earth. The toxic emissions created through industrial processes have wrecked the planet, and there is a new focus on righting old wrongs. Can digital transformation make a difference?
Businesses that leverage the cloud know it’s a great way to save money. One Earth-conscious benefit to cloud storage is that it cuts back on paper waste drastically. The space, energy, and money once used to store files and then have them securely shredded are a thing of the past. This means fewer trees need to be cut down for paper production.
We’ve entered the era of more flexible work arrangements that require businesses to implement cloud services and communications like UCaaS. When employees work from home, they aren’t utilizing public transportation or cars to get to and from work, which results in fewer carbon emissions. And fewer people in offices minimizes the overhead that comes with office space – this includes energy used to heat and cool the facility.
Even with employees working from home, data centers are still in use. Data centers are massive energy consumers – but they’re becoming smarter. For example, by using automation and machine learning, Google has cut its data center energy bill by 40%. Apple is also getting into the game by utilizing improved solar power solutions at one of its new data centers to save energy.
Not every company is going to be focused on saving the planet by going through a digital transformation. However, that’s only one side effect. Staying relevant in your industry means improving the processes and technology you use every day.
At Enterprise Visions, we can assist you in your digital transformation. Contact us today to discuss how to make the transformation seamless.
This blog was originally published on January 23, 2018 and was updated on October 28, 2020.