Where and how you store your data is important.
More and more businesses are focusing on the effect their data storage has on the environment and how they can become more eco-conscious when they choose a data storage provider.
As we collect and consume more and more data every year, the need to store it responsibly and sustainably becomes increasingly vital. There are lots of data storage specialists out there, so it’s worth taking the time to find one that’s a good match for your business and sustainability goals. According to the storage solution experts here at Area9, there are several key areas you might like to consider before you make that decision.
Edge or cloud?
Where makes most sense for you and your data? Long term archival accessibility, the ability to share data quickly or the need to move data between storage environments will all have an impact on your choice of provider and storage system.
For example, many cloud-based storage systems promote themselves on energy-efficiency and sustainability, but it might benefit you more to store some data in an edge environment, which works better when processing IoT data.
The key question here is can your data storage supplier provide the flexibility you need to use your data in the most efficient and productive way on a day-to-day basis and still deliver on your sustainability protocols?
Managing the data mountain.
Good data management is an essential part of running a successful, sustainable business.
That’s because the energy consumption of any data storage you are paying for remains the same whether you use 1% or 99% of it. So, using as much of the capacity as possible and purchasing no more than you need are both vital ways of managing your environmental impact.
Another common issue is that many companies simply set and forget their data storage, meaning that over time it’s easy for files and data to build up even when they’re no longer required. Reducing this data mountain will help reduce your data storage footprint. So, it’s important to make sure you have a clear data usage plan that filters out any unnecessary or out-dated information that doesn’t add value.
A good data storage provider will advise you about the optimum amount of storage that’s ideal for your business and help you set up the right tools to control the flow of data in and out of your systems, reducing your carbon footprint without compromising your business objectives.
Data storage is cool.
Okay, so that may sound like an over-claim but the point is most data storage facilities keep the ambient temperature to between 18°C and 22°C to enable their servers to operate at maximum efficiency, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. And that can burn through a lot of energy.
If you’re serious about sustainability, you might want to consider data storage companies that invest in smart energy technology such as natural airflow solutions, use a low emissions energy provider or employ remote sensors to monitor fluctuations in temperature and energy usage so they can identify and address an issue instantly to minimise energy loss.
More and more providers are looking to green solutions like these to deliver cost savings for themselves and their customers.
The right devices.
It may also help to know which devices your provider is using to store your data. Tape works best for archival data because it draws less energy, but all-flash storage is a good choice for data-intensive workloads because SSDs use less power and generate less heat than HDDs. The more up-to-date the devices are, the more energy efficient and sustainable they will be.
Naturally, the older equipment and technology gets, the more energy it consumes. The key to sustainability in data storage is optimising the lifespan of your IT assets. Make sure you and your provider have a robust end-to-end asset program that addresses areas such as workload, changing technology, energy efficiency and changing customer expectations. If possible, consolidate your data and switch off devices that are not needed.
Should you trust carbon offset claims?
Data centres often offset their carbon footprints by purchasing renewable energy credits, allowing them to claim carbon neutral status. Whilst this is a good thing, as the credits they buy are used to invest in projects that promote energy reduction, water conservation and other renewable strategies, the data centre itself may still be powered for the most part by energy generated from fossil fuels. Obviously, this varies from data centre to data centre and there may be other factors that come into play, but it remains an area of concern for some and a positive factor for others.
Talk to the experts at Area9 today.
The bottom line is that the way you store data affects more than just your bottom line, it affects the future of your business and our planet. Choosing a data storage provider is a major decision and it helps to have expert advice you can fall back on.
Area9 works with specialist data storage businesses and can help guide you on the sustainability aspects of your data storage. Get in touch via sales@area9.com.au to learn more about the right choice for your business.
Area9 Data Storage.
In addition to working with specialist data storage companies, Area9 has its own Data Centre which provides a full range of services including physical and virtual hosting, 24/7 availability and security, multi-vendor communication solutions and onsite support from Area9 DC professionals. Talk to us today to find out more.