Sustainable IT
Confused about how enterprise IT can support sustainability? Read guides, tips and news on how to decarbonize and green IT, reduce e-waste, support circular economy principles, create more sustainable data centers and hold vendors responsible for net zero goals.
Top Stories
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Feature
20 Dec 2024
A simple guide to greenhouse gases: Main types and sources
If you're confused about what greenhouse gases are and why they matter, you're not alone. Learn about carbon, methane and others, and what they have to do with climate change. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Dec 2024
Understand greenhouse gas emissions vs. carbon emissions
The terms 'greenhouse gas' and 'carbon' are often used interchangeably. Learn what the meaning of each is and how the two relate to climate change and global warming. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 May 2023
7 key benefits of enacting a BYOD policy
While some benefits of a BYOD program are obvious, such as allowing users to only carry one endpoint, other benefits are worth exploring, such as lowering corporate emissions. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 May 2023
Differences between Green Globes vs. LEED for data centers
Consider Green Globes and LEED certifications when building green data centers. Learn the differences in how the assessments are done, the costs and documentation needs. Continue Reading
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Definition
25 May 2023
load shedding
Load shedding (loadshedding) is a way to distribute demand for electrical power across multiple power sources. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 May 2023
Navigate Energy Star data center standard and certification
Organizations can use the Energy Star data center standard and certified assets to be more energy efficient. Consider Energy Star certification to preserve capital and save energy. Continue Reading
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Definition
16 May 2023
watt
A watt (symbolized W) is the standard unit of power or radiant flux in the International System of Units (SI). It is derived from the SI base units kilogram (kg), meter (m) and second (s), all of which are constructed from the standard's defining constants. Continue Reading
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Opinion
02 May 2023
Calculating sustainability and emissions for VDI and DaaS
Though VDI and DaaS are both desktop virtualization services, their sustainability can differ significantly, so business leaders should learn how to calculate their emissions. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 May 2023
Where climate change and cyber attacks intersect
One session at RSA Conference 2023 focused on climate change -- a topic that is not commonly featured during cybersecurity conversations, but should be. Continue Reading
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Definition
01 May 2023
green cloud
Green cloud refers to the potential environmental benefits that green IT services delivered over the internet can offer to individual companies and society as a whole. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Apr 2023
3D printing has a complex relationship with sustainability
3D printing promises some sustainability benefits, including creating lighter parts and shorter supply chains, but the overall question of its environmental value is complex. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Apr 2023
Overcome obstacles to storage sustainability
Green IT initiatives should include data storage, but there are various sustainability challenges related to both on-premises and cloud-based storage systems. Continue Reading
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Definition
25 Apr 2023
carbon-aware computing
As a green design principle, carbon-aware computing steers software and hardware development up a path of sustainability toward carbon neutrality. Continue Reading
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News
25 Apr 2023
KubeCon highlights open source to combat climate change
Addressing climate change takes a community. At KubeCon Europe 2023, experts discussed how open source practices and projects can foster sustainability. Continue Reading
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Definition
24 Apr 2023
Energy Star
Energy Star is a government-backed labeling program that helps people and organizations save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by identifying factories, office equipment, home appliances and electronics that have superior energy efficiency. Continue Reading
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News
21 Apr 2023
Sustainability strategy must focus on energy consumption
In this Q&A, Greg Cudahy of EY discusses why more efficient energy consumption helps companies meet sustainability goals and how public-private investment drives energy transitions. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Apr 2023
5 IT sustainability approaches to consider
IT plays a crucial role as companies prioritize ESG efforts. These five sustainability approaches could help organizations reduce long-term environmental effects. Continue Reading
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Definition
19 Apr 2023
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, more commonly known as LEED, is an environmentally oriented building certification program run by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Continue Reading
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Opinion
10 Apr 2023
The era of the sustainable data center
Sustainability in product design is becoming important to organizations. In the age of sustainability in the data center, don't forget about energy efficiency in your messaging. Continue Reading
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Definition
04 Apr 2023
sustainable AI
Sustainable AI is the use of artificial intelligence systems that operate in ways contingent with sustainable business practices. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Mar 2023
Top 10 enterprise technology trends for 2023
IT investments underpin an organizational performance and help businesses gain a competitive edge. That's why CIOs and IT leaders should know the top enterprise tech trends. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
28 Mar 2023
How IoT helps environmental, social and governance goals
Organizations must address sustainability concerns as IoT device use grows. Cloud optimization, smart buildings and predictive maintenance can help meet ESG goals. Continue Reading
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News
27 Mar 2023
AWS public cloud advocate talks cloud spend, ChatGPT and ESG
In this Q&A, AWS' Mark Schwartz argues that a pure cloud future is inevitable to manage ESG compliance, test cutting edge technologies and weather economic turbulence. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Feb 2023
4 ways to reduce network power consumption
A heavy reliance on the network can increase energy use across businesses. Here are some best practices network teams can follow to reduce power consumption. Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Feb 2023
Why is sustainable marketing important?
On a grand scale, sustainable marketing brings awareness to environmental and social issues. On a business level, this practice can improve brand loyalty and worker engagement. Continue Reading
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Definition
02 Feb 2023
circular economy
A circular economy is a model of production and consumption, where items and products are reused whenever possible rather than discarded. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Feb 2023
Kepler project aims to help curb Kubernetes energy waste
Running Kubernetes clusters can lead to high costs and energy use. The researchers behind the Kepler project hope the tool will help IT pros track and curb cluster energy waste. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Jan 2023
Why IT asset management should include sustainability
CIOs must do more with less as economic concerns grow, and continue to drive environmental, social and governance efforts. Pairing IT asset management and sustainability can help. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Jan 2023
How do green marketing and sustainable marketing differ?
Many organizations use green and sustainable marketing to build trust with consumers. Green marketing focuses on the environment, whereas sustainable marketing is broader. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Jan 2023
Use ISO 50001:2018 as a guide for green data centers
Data centers use a lot of energy, and it can be difficult to navigate how to reduce energy use. ISO 50001:2018 provides guidance to create energy-saving plans and use targets. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Jan 2023
green networking
Green networking is the practice of selecting energy-efficient networking technologies and products and minimizing resource use whenever possible. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Dec 2022
5 sustainability initiatives in the telecommunications industry
Telecom operators have committed to sustainability plans to reduce carbon emissions and energy use. But they also face challenges, like competing goals and behavioral changes. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Dec 2022
How AI can assist industries in environmental protection efforts
While technology for environmental protection isn't a new concept, AI advancements empower businesses to achieve sustainable operations. Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Dec 2022
AWS analytics tools help French utility go green
The cloud computing giant's suite enabled Engie SA to transition away from fossil fuels and now helps the French utility manage a network of renewable energy sources. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Nov 2022
Sustainable software needs more tools, corporate buy-in
Several tools can help developers build sustainable software, but it won't make a dent in carbon emissions without organizational support and better monitoring tools. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Oct 2022
New ways of upcycling CO2, decarbonizing steel and cement
The industrial sector has a massive carbon footprint. That's why some companies are working to clean up steel and cement and find new uses for carbon. Continue Reading
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News
14 Oct 2022
Sustainable procurement goes mainstream, influences IT buys
ESG considerations add a new dimension to IT purchasing criteria and, more broadly, could bridge the gap between business leaders and IT professionals. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Sep 2022
Fair Repair Act could help spur circular economy model
New regulations including the Fair Repair Act coupled with factors like consumer demand for sustainability are motivating manufacturers to consider a circular economy model. Continue Reading
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News
29 Sep 2022
Climate LLC taps feature flags for mobile app development
Feature flags facilitated fast rollbacks and trunk-based mobile development for a digital farming software maker amid volatility due to business growth and climate change. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Sep 2022
Climate tech vs. clean tech: What's the difference?
Businesses and consumers are becoming more concerned with environmental effects -- and how they can make changes or use clean tech and climate tech to make a difference. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Aug 2022
Techniques to get started with green networking
'Emerging Green Technologies' details how technology is a flexible tool organizations can use to make business operations more sustainable. Here's how to make your network green. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Aug 2022
How energy-efficient networking supports sustainability
In this Q&A, 'Emerging Green Technologies' author Matthew N. O. Sadiku discusses the importance of going green and how to make networks energy-efficient to achieve this goal. Continue Reading
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Definition
01 Aug 2022
green software
Green software, also known as sustainable software, is software that is designed, developed and implemented to limit energy consumption and have minimal environmental impact. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Jul 2022
How vendors support sustainable networking initiatives
Organizations are focusing on sustainability in all business divisions, including network operations. These tools could help organizations make their enterprise networks green. Continue Reading
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News
25 Jul 2022
SAP green CX tech aids sustainable retail, B2B sales
SAP users can tackle sustainable e-commerce -- and be accountable to customers wary of 'greenwashing' -- with a bundle of Qualtrics, CDP, e-commerce and other tech tools. Continue Reading
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News
15 Jul 2022
Consultancy benefits from green coding certification mandate
In this Q&A, GFT CTO Dean Clark details how his company's green coding certification program is bringing benefits beyond higher-quality, more efficient code. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Jul 2022
Green AI tackles effects of AI, ML on climate change
AI and ML are making a significant contribution to climate change. Developers can help reverse the trend with best practices and tools to measure carbon efficiency. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 May 2022
What sustainable data storage means for your data center
Storage sustainability requires commitment from the entire organization. Don't put it on the back burner -- these tips can help the environment and keep the issue top of mind. Continue Reading
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News
11 May 2022
SAP Sapphire focuses on speed, disruption, sustainability
At SAP Sapphire 2022, the ERP vendor highlighted accelerating business transformation, disruptions to supply chains and sustainability as main challenges that businesses face. Continue Reading
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Definition
10 May 2022
green data center
A green data center is a repository for the storage, management and dissemination of data in which the mechanical, lighting, electrical and computer systems are designed to maximize energy efficiency and minimize environmental impact. Continue Reading
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News
28 Apr 2022
AI's effects on climate change: Both good and bad
With more companies building supercomputers and infrastructure that requires a lot of compute power, AI may be doing more harm than good to the planet. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Mar 2022
The global state of data center sustainability
Review green initiatives in the world of data centers: sustainable designs and practices, what other organizations are doing and where IT falls short. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Mar 2022
How to put cybersecurity sustainability into practice
Cybersecurity sustainability practices involve mitigating cyber-risk without burning out people -- or burning through resources. Explore what that looks like on the ground. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Mar 2022
3 benefits of sustainable cybersecurity in the enterprise
Sustainable cybersecurity means taking the long view on cyber-risk mitigation. Explore the technical, financial, societal and reputational wins it can net for the enterprise. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Mar 2022
What to look for in a green cloud storage provider
Alongside cost and flexibility, a commitment to sustainability is a key consideration for organizations trying to choose a cloud storage provider. Continue Reading
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Podcast
28 Feb 2022
Is ERP good for sustainability -- or part of the problem?
ERP vendors tout new tools for improving environmental sustainability. TechTarget editors discuss these and other ways IT both helps and hurts the environment. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Feb 2022
ERP critical to achieving sustainability goals in 2022
Sustainability is a major priority for businesses in 2022, driven by internal goals, customer demand and regulations. ERP systems are at the center of sustainability projects. Continue Reading
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News
10 Jan 2022
Dell, Lenovo, HP pitch sustainable laptops
Dell, Lenovo and HP have introduced laptops to help customers meet environmental, social and governance policies, which have become critical factors in buying decisions. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Nov 2021
Vendors position ERP as heart of circular economy model
ERP vendors SAP and IFS are positioning themselves at the forefront of enterprise sustainability efforts just as businesses focus on reducing waste and prepare for new regulations. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Nov 2021
Get started with green energy for your data center
Running a sustainable data center requires organizations to consider factors such as facility sustainability, efficient storage and servers, and outsourcing options. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Nov 2021
IoT drives sustainable development and the bottom line
Emerging technologies, including virtual reality, AI and IoT, are critical for organizations to ensure that they remain profitable and sustainable in the long run. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Nov 2021
How to use IoT for energy efficiency and sustainability
Organizations in any industry can adopt IoT devices, including smart thermostats and lighting systems, to reduce their electrical consumption and make buildings more sustainable. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
11 Oct 2021
Transforming buildings to be smart and sustainable
To meet greenhouse gas reduction targets and regulatory requirements, companies must transform facilities into energy-efficient smart buildings, and IoT platforms can help. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Sep 2021
Agriculture IoT promotes sustainable practices
Agricultural organizations can adopt IoT in their farming practices to not only optimize their production, but also to improve their sustainability with precision agriculture. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Sep 2021
Considerations for sustainable data center design
To design a green, sustainable data center, consider methods to improve energy conservation and efficiency. Then, look into green -- or greener -- energy source alternatives. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Sep 2021
AI carbon footprint: Helping and hurting the environment
Companies can use AI to help the environment, including by using it to prevent forest fires and reduce factory waste. At the same time, AI has its own carbon footprint. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Aug 2021
AI and climate change: The mixed impact of machine learning
AI can both help and hurt the environment. While companies use artificial intelligence to increase factory efficiency and lower energy costs, training AI demands a lot of energy. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Aug 2021
Energy consumption of AI poses environmental problems
Data centers and large AI models use massive amounts of energy and are harmful to the environment. Businesses can take action to lower their environmental impact. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Aug 2021
How does SAP intend to support a circular economy?
SAP's circular economy efforts include its new software Responsible Design and Production. Learn how it can help producers take responsibility for their environmental impact. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Aug 2021
Hidden issues complicate sustainability in IT manufacturing
Clare Hobby of TCO Development discusses how difficult it is to rate IT products' sustainability. But corporate buyers and consumers have the power to demand something different. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Aug 2021
10 strategies for more sustainable last-mile delivery
Creating eco-friendly last-mile delivery strategies is an important business and societal challenge. Here are some options supply chain leaders can explore. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Aug 2021
ERP goes green, ahead of customer sustainability initiatives
As sustainability becomes a more key topic for businesses, enterprise applications vendors are touting programs to support efforts like carbon reduction and the circular economy. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Jul 2021
Cubbit offers 'green' distributed cloud storage option
New EU startup aims to offer alternative to major cloud storage with a distributed model, offering increased security and potentially less environmental waste for a lower cost. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Jul 2021
Tech giants foster green software engineering movement
The Green Software Foundation, which includes Accenture and Microsoft as members, will create an ecosystem of people, standards, tools and practices to develop green software. Continue Reading
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Answer
14 Jul 2021
Which SAP software supports sustainability?
SAP is releasing new sustainability software to give organizations the environmental data they need to achieve climate targets. Learn more about each type. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Jul 2021
The environmental challenges of last-mile delivery
Current last-mile delivery practices are contributing to climate change, and companies need to address these ill effects. Understand how to start taking action. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Jun 2021
How 4 companies are improving last-mile delivery sustainability
Companies such as L'Occitane en Provence and Walmart are trying out different strategies to improve their last-mile delivery sustainability. Here's how they're doing it. Continue Reading
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News
11 Jun 2021
IT consultants go for green cloud computing
Sustainability and green cloud computing have gained a higher profile in recent months, leading consultancies like Accenture and ThoughtWorks to pursue new services; other news. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 May 2021
ERP plays vital role in sustainability trend
In this Q&A, IFS CEO Darren Roos discusses how enterprise systems like ERP can enable companies to develop and manage more effective sustainability initiatives. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Mar 2021
Circular economy model enables sustainability and resilience
In this Q&A, IFS' Colin Elkins discusses the circular economy and how it can improve sustainability, enable business models like servitization and become a competitive advantage. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Nov 2020
3 ways to ease the green data storage transition
Energy-efficient storage promises several benefits. Finding the right approach requires carefully assessing available technology, where you keep your data and costs. Continue Reading
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News
25 Sep 2020
Google, Unilever partnership uses AI for sustainable sourcing
Unilever says it will use Google Earth Engine, Google Cloud Storage and BigQuery, as well as AI technologies, to create a deforestation-free supply chain by 2023. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Aug 2020
Amazon's sustainability initiatives: Half empty or half full?
Amazon's public perception and investment profile are at stake as altruism and self-interest mix in its efforts to become a more sustainable company. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Aug 2020
S/4HANA helps Queen of Raw improve textile sustainability
Queen of Raw's S/4HANA-based textile marketplace app is helping suppliers of the fashion industry reduce waste by keeping unused inventory out of landfills. Continue Reading
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News
05 Feb 2019
Carbon Relay debuts AI-based software for data center cooling
Newcomer Carbon Relay has introduced two products that use artificial intelligence to help IT pros manage data center efficiency. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Jan 2019
supply chain sustainability (SCS)
Supply chain sustainability (SCS) is a holistic view of supply chain processes, logistics and technologies that affect the environmental, social, economic and legal aspects of a supply chain's components. Continue Reading