Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

Competition is something truly fierce but technology always tries to create a level playing field for everyone using it. Like the cloud computing and other complex IT infrastructure were earlier only innovated for tech giants having money to invest in it.

Now, the cloud computing has given even the smallest of firms an accessibility to store their information at a remote datacenter rather than installing devices on-premise.

This form of data storage involves the delivery of computing services including the servers, storage, networking, software, analytics, and even intelligence entirely over the Internet i.e., “the cloud”.

How cloud computing helps untangle the complexities?

Using cloud caters to faster innovation, greater flexibility of resources, and even adoption of the economies of scale.

It is very easy to integrate with cloud computing. All we need is an online connection and cloud computing can be done anytime, anywhere.

Companies have to pay only for the cloud services they use, that helps lower the operating costs and therefore save to create further impetus.

This eliminates the need for buying hardware for storing and software for processing.

These devices tend to further demand installation and maintenance of such heavy, power intensive devices like the racks of servers, switches, the cooling infrastructure and also the IT experts overlooking these.

Cloud computing has caused the firms to renounce traditional ways of storing and processing their critical information. It has by far, helped build reliability, productivity through their vast system of networks that is constantly upgraded to the latest versions of fast and efficient computing.

One of the weakest links in initial days of cloud technology adoption was the security concerns around it. But since the widespread implementation, these concerns too have evaded minds.

Security and data integrity have been the capital concerns addressed in the technology.

Even more security for users by backing-up data offsite – decreasing the potential for hackers, viruses, ransomware, and other cybersecurity problems.

Does cloud computing help achieve or inhibit Sustainability in the long run?

The time is right to ‘go green’ and even critical of anything that is not.

In 2012, this technology had its own critiques those said: “The internet with cloud computing is becoming a big contributor to carbon emissions because of dirty energy usage.”

Nevertheless, companies have learned now that by transitioning to a cloud, one can possess flexibility and scalability and freedom to invest less in maintaining these devices, yet do these even cut emissions beside cutting costs?

Well, they do.

When only fewer servers are used, they are powered efficiently saving electricity and thereby “reducing the carbon footprint of the datacenter.”

Data management and processing on a local server renders a greater footprint. A public cloud like Microsoft Azure seems like a better option.

According to a notification by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):

“Datacenters now account for 1.5% of all electricity consumption in the U.S. alone and by 2020, carbon emissions will have quadrupled to 680 million tons per year, which will account for more than the aviation industry.”

Another report from Berkley University states: “Moving common software applications used by 86 million U.S. workers to the cloud would amount to cutting the energy use by 87% which can power Los Angeles for a year.”

“Datacenter energy consumption is expected to drop by 31 percent from 2010 to 2020 due to the continued adoption of cloud computing.”

How does Cloud computing help brew lesser emissions?

The datacenters hosting the cloud are generally build closer to the facilities that provide them power up. This avoids large transmission losses incurred over long distances.

Besides using less wattage to facilitate back-up power and cooling systems, their superior hardware setup is designed for higher energy efficiency and optimization.

The servers are kept in climate-controlled spaces where temperature and humidity level are well regulated.

They is achieved through their high utilization rates with consistent computations. Servers create more harm while sitting idle but these cloud servers available for all, tend to be 2-4 times more efficient being used more than any other.

Also, it is attributed to their constant and dependable usage, they are either upgraded on a regular basis, rolling in a new technology or are given shorter lifetime before they are discarded.

If the cloud lies in area that sources a form of renewable power, it hall not only save billions of dollars in energy costs but also reduce carbon emissions in millions of metric tons.

In total, the cloud may help lower even the total energy consumption needs of the software programmes moved on to the cloud by 87%.

Microsoft has recently announced the upcoming Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability, a new service to help fellow companies to calculate and manage their carbon emissions, set the required sustainability goals and undertake climate action.

Overall, cloud computing is environmentally a better choice although it does require constant efforts to remain clean. What will you choose?

By Alaina Ali Beg

I am a lover of all arts and therefore can dream myself in all places where the World takes me. I am an avid animal lover and firmly believes that Nature is the true sorcerer.

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