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Network Solutions on Environmental Terms

Cloud-managed network technologies are the top choice for IT infrastructure in today’s cloud-oriented business world. Functional network solutions are a vital background resource for a company’s business operations today. As more and more SaaS cloud services, such as Microsoft365, are utilized in daily knowledge work, the importance of network security and accessibility is emphasized. For Above IT, Cisco Meraki network solutions were a conscious choice to include in our toolkit, as defining network technology at the software level (Software Defined Networking) is an enabling factor for efficient and secure accessibility of cloud services, such as Azure environments. On environmental terms.

Sustainable Circular Economy Models

IT infrastructure purchases have traditionally been very environmentally burdensome. Packaging materials and foam materials used as cushioning in packages are energy waste, which also contribute to microplastics in the environment, not to mention other electronic waste! Disposing of old devices is also difficult – for security reasons alone, and often IT departments end up with hardware gathering dust in their cabinets over time.

Cisco has invested in the circular economy of devices and has sought to reduce the amount of microplastics formed from packaging materials. Cisco has committed to significant reductions in foam materials, which has already been evident in the packaging materials of new Meraki devices that we have delivered to customers. Recycling of old devices has also been invested in. For us, partners specializing in environmental responsibility, a Takeback program has been enabled, through which our customers receive discounts on their new equipment when they deliver old devices from any manufacturer to Cisco for recycling.

Environmentally Efficient Operations

However, the biggest environmental benefit is our own work and operations when working with these cloud-managed network devices. While traditional network environments are typically developed on-site for customers, with cloud-managed network devices, all work from implementation onwards is mainly done through cloud services.

The work is more environmentally efficient. The work is, above all, faster, saves costs for the customer, but also saves nature as management becomes more efficient. Security management also becomes more efficient, as if an urgent security update were to be released for a device, for example, the update could be installed just as efficiently through the cloud service.

Other Benefits of Cloud Service?

As I already referred to defining network technology at the software level in the introduction, the cloud service and the data available from network devices have also made network utilization more software-oriented. The cloud service’s API interfaces enable data utilization, and there is a marketplace where external software companies can develop applications that utilize data available from the network.
Good examples of such third-party applications in this hybrid era could be an application that monitors the efficiency of workspace usage, which can receive data from, for example, Meraki cameras that recognize people from video; Meraki sensors that detect air quality or monitor energy usage; or for instance, from wireless Meraki access points that can track Bluetooth-equipped mobile devices moving in the same environment.
Could we enhance or optimize the use of spaces if we had data available related to it? And could we develop automations based on the data to rationalize the energy use of the organization’s premises?

Future Prospects

Following the market, I have observed how other manufacturers have also awakened to utilizing cloud services in managing their network solutions. This in itself is a great thing, in my opinion, because it rationalizes the work of us professionals! The advantage of the Meraki cloud service is to be a forerunner in this. The entirety of cloud-managed technologies at Meraki is already so extensive that it covers almost all the needs of different organizations. Meraki’s cloud management is already so advanced that it surpasses others in its intuitiveness and user-friendliness.
It’s also nice to follow Cisco’s commitment to environmental care. By 2025, the aim is that 100% of all new Cisco devices sold will follow circular economy models in terms of packaging and devices. The greenhouse gas emissions of the entire production chain are aimed to be reduced by 30% by 2030. And for all greenhouse gas emissions, neutrality (Net Zero) is aimed for by 2040. It’s nice to be involved in this development and commit to a better tomorrow with our own actions. And when all this is combined with the savings gained through more rational work, the benefits of cloud-managed Cisco Meraki networks, also with the environment in mind, are becoming indisputable.

We organized a webinar related to this same topic on May 16, 2024! If you’re interested in the topic, check out the recording from this link!

As a Cisco partner specializing in environmental responsibility, we are involved in ensuring that the entire lifecycle of your network environment, from implementation to recycling, proceeds smoothly. If you want to hear more, book a meeting with us!

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