In recent years, sustainability has taken center stage in agendas and discussions involving the corporate universe. This occurs due to the consumer profile (which has become more conscious), the imminent need to save natural resources, and also because of the managers themselves, who understand that adopting sustainable measures is an excellent way to reduce costs and ensure greater operational efficiency.

Amidst the popularization and dissemination of debates focused on the environmental cause, the technology industry has also been making efforts to be more sustainable.
In this context, cloud computing is a fundamental ally. In practice, this solution involves the delivery of computing services, such as storage, processing, and software, entirely online.
With the cloud, IT resources do not need to be maintained on physical servers, benefiting companies with more savings, security, and innovation.

But, did you know that cloud technology also plays a significant role in reducing environmental impacts?
To find out what the relationship is between cloud computing and sustainability, read on and check out the article that the CodeBlog team has prepared for you!

What is cloud computing?

Cloud computing aims to simplify access to data and the execution of programs through the internet.

In practice, when using the system, the user can access services and applications without the need for an installation, as everything (or almost everything) will be executed on servers.

In addition, data access can be performed through any device connected to the internet.
This occurs because, unlike traditional models, the cloud integrates a series of servers that represent a broad data storage and processing device, allowing total elasticity in all provided resources.

Thus, it is possible to allocate resources from interconnected servers for its use and customize processing capacity according to demand, with appropriate security and without the need for frequent installations or maintenance.

There are three main cloud models. They are:

IaaS - Infrastructure as a Service

IaaS, or Infrastructure as a Service, offers users the ability to provision processing, storage, and network connectivity according to their needs. Furthermore, the resource also enables the development of their own applications.

Amazon Web Services; Microsoft; Alibaba and Google are among the leading IaaS providers in the world.

PaaS - Platform as a Service

The PaaS model, or Platform as a Service, offers multiple possibilities for companies to optimize processes such as databases, queues, workflow engines, emails, etc. It is also possible to use these resources to create your own applications. In this case, role management and data backup are managed by the provider itself.

Examples of this type of service: Google App Engine; Heroku; RedHat OpenShift; Microsoft Azure Cloud Services; Tsuru, etc.

SaaS - Software as a Service

In the SaaS model - Software as a Service, third-party providers offer complete applications aimed at end-users, with the inclusion of some administrative features such as the ability to create and manage users.
Examples of this type of service: ERP; CRM; Google Docs; Linkedin; Skype; Facebook, etc.

The relationship between cloud computing and sustainability:

Now that you know what cloud computing is, the time has come to understand the size of the solution's positive impact on sustainability and realize the importance of the tool, not only for business processes but also for the planet!
Discover more in the next topics.

Energy consumption

Undoubtedly, one of the greatest thermometers of the environmental impact caused by companies' actions is energy consumption.
In this context, it is worth mentioning that in order to ensure the continuous operation of physical servers, it is necessary to consume a high amount of electricity.
The good news is that, unlike on-site data centers, cloud providers reduce energy expenditure through advanced techniques, such as the smart management of resources and workloads, contributing to a considerable reduction in the electricity bill.

Carbon

In addition to saving space and energy, the cloud also contributes to the reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. This is because, by centralizing large servers and using the best technologies available on the market, it is possible to optimize resource consumption and, consequently, minimize environmental impacts.

Scalability

Scalability is undoubtedly one of the major benefits of the cloud for business, as it allows downloads and upgrades to be carried out simply. Furthermore, servers can always be updated to adapt to the changing business landscape.
With this, all resources can be scaled according to demand, eliminating the need to maintain local data centers that, besides being idle, still consume energy to accommodate peak loads.

Reduction of electronic waste

The growing technological evolution often causes IT hardware to become obsolete in a short period of time, forcing companies to replace their equipment and produce an increasingly higher amount of electronic waste.
Fortunately, with cloud computing, organizations can reduce the need for constant updates to their hardware, decreasing electronic waste production and the improper disposal of machines and equipment.

Remote work

During the social distancing caused by the pandemic, remote work or home office began to be adopted by many companies; after all, this was the only way to maintain corporate operations and the physical health of workers.
Surprisingly, what was a "temporary alternative" proved to be an effective work model, capable of helping with employee motivation and also the sustainability of organizations.
But, to achieve this, it is necessary to ensure effective remote access that allows teams to continue working at any time, without physical barriers or restrictions.
With the cloud, employees can access files, systems, and platforms even outside the corporate environment, requiring only an online connection.
This accessibility opens doors to a new level of flexibility and productivity.

Are you ready to put the sustainability agenda into practice and take your business to the next level with cloud computing?

The time has come to reduce costs and increase the flexibility and scalability of your company.

CodeBit is a reference in offering customized solutions for NGOs, private companies, and startups that seek to grow and innovate.
With a team specialized in cloud computing, we help your business stand out in the market with flexible, scalable, and secure solutions.
Don't waste time, visit the CodeBit website and discover our services and personalized solutions.

Furthermore, keep an eye on CodeBlog. Soon we will have more news to help your startup take off.

Warm regards and see you in the next post!