Sustainability is more than just a trendy catchphrase; it’s part of every forward-thinking organization’s strategy for the future. The question that is on the minds of many: Is the cloud more sustainable than on-premises methods? The answer seems to be determined by the size of your data center and available energy sources.
At the most basic level, the sustainability battle for efficiency is won by migrating to the cloud, as this path reduces energy expenditures and carbon emissions compared to the on-premises route. But the answer isn’t as black and white as that, because, for some organizations, the more efficient method might not be migrating to the cloud.
The Price of Energy
Being carbon neutral, or at least working toward that goal, is another hot topic. In areas where wind and solar farms are abundant, this goal is more easily obtained than companies who seek out shared data center services in areas that rely solely on fossil fuels for energy. Data centers are massive users of energy, which is why so many are developing in areas where gaining access to renewable energy is not a problem.
Sustainability priorities could favor on-premises solutions if your carbon footprint is lower than it would be outsourcing to a data center that relies on fossil fuels, particularly for organizations that have established at least a partially clean energy resource for themselves.
Cloud Preferences
In relation to economies of scale, the cloud tends to be the more sustainable route because so many entities are sharing a single data center, which results in energy savings and carbon reduction. For large organizations that have a large number of servers, sharing data centers can lead to improved sustainability.
Companies with large infrastructures often find that the cloud is their most responsible, energy-efficient route, but only if the data center has room for them. For those whose needs exceed the space at a shared data center, the only option is to go it alone.
Current InfrastructureAn aspect of the on-premise vs. cloud debate must include the type of structure where a data center or servers are housed. For example, companies using a 100-year-old building are going to use more energy to cool server space than a new, state-of-the-art data center that is built to be energy efficient.
Leveraging the right integrated technology solutions is important for companies of all sizes, which is why partnering with a strategic technology partner is so valuable today. When you work with Safari Solutions, you can rest assured that your sustainability needs are met. Our advisory services offer tremendous value to companies that need an expert to weigh in on technology matters. Contact us and let’s discuss how we can meet your needs.