Attributed to Al Kingsley MBE as CEO of NetSupport
The UK’s intensification towards net-zero has manufacturers facing mounting expectations to reduce their environmental impact without compromising operational efficiency. Though energy-intensive processes and transport logistics are obvious focal points, one often overlooked contributor to a business’s carbon footprint is its IT infrastructure. From the devices in use across multiple sites to the way support is delivered, smarter IT management can yield meaningful emissions savings, while also streamlining operations and reducing costs.
Green IT: an untapped opportunity
Indeed, for food and other manufacturing sectors, digital systems are essential to day-to-day operation, from quality control and data capture on the production line, to communications and compliance reporting. Yet, numerous businesses still rely on outdated or energy-inefficient technology. In some cases, this includes ageing hardware with high energy consumption, systems left powered on outside of active use and inefficient methods of delivering IT support.
Implementing greener IT practices offers a practical and scalable way to address these challenges. From device lifecycle management to remote IT control, the right tools and policies can help manufacturers meet sustainability targets while enhancing resilience and performance.
Optimise device lifecycles
One area for improving sustainability targets is hardware usage. Extending the lifespan of IT equipment through proper maintenance, software updates and reuse strategies can significantly reduce electronic waste and the carbon cost of production and procurement. Centralised device management software can monitor performance, flag issues before they escalate and ensure updates are installed without the need for physical intervention – all contributing to lower overall environmental impact.
Reduce travel through remote support
In many organisations, IT teams still rely on in-person interventions to diagnose and resolve device issues, particularly across multiple sites, warehouses or field-based operations. This traditional approach not only leads to delays but also contributes to carbon emissions through staff travel. Remote support tools offer a more sustainable alternative. By enabling secure, real-time access to devices, IT teams can troubleshoot and resolve issues without needing to be physically present. Indeed, the ability to diagnose and resolve issues remotely is proving invaluable in the context of multi-site device management. By embracing this technology, companies can boost efficiency while shrinking their environmental footprint.
Smarter energy use
Monitoring and managing power consumption across devices is another key area. Automated power-down schedules, energy usage reporting and user behaviour analytics can all help identify areas for efficiency gains. At scale, this can contribute to significant carbon savings, particularly in large production or logistics environments with high device density.
A roadmap for action
Sustainable IT doesn’t require radical overhauls – it’s about making strategic decisions that align with both business and environmental goals. Manufacturers adopting green IT strategies are well-positioned to meet regulatory expectations, gain competitive advantage and demonstrate leadership in corporate responsibility.
As the net-zero deadline draws closer, embracing digital tools that support energy efficiency and reduce emissions isn’t just good practice, it’s a business imperative. And for manufacturers ready to take action, the journey towards greener operations can start at the desk.
To find out more information about NetSupport’s secure remote IT support platform, visit www.247connect.cloud.
