Cloud computing can 'cut energy use by a third'

Cloud computing can 'cut energy use by a third'

Investing in cloud computing could help cut business expenses by reducing their energy use and lowering their carbon emissions.

In fact, recent comments from John Vassallo, Microsoft vice-president for European Union Affairs, suggest that large businesses with more than 10,000 users could lower their energy use and carbon emissions by more than 30 per cent by switching their systems to cloud computing.

However, the possible benefits for smaller businesses are even greater. Citing a 2010 Accenture study, Mr Vassallo stated that small and medium-sized businesses of up to 100 users could see reductions of more than 90 per cent in their emissions and energy use by turning to the cloud.

The comments were delivered in Mr Vassallo's assessment of the industry, made on EurActive.com, where he added that the ICT sector could provide a number of opportunities to lower the UK's carbon footprint. But if such opportunities are not recognised, the same services could double their carbon emissions to account for between eight and ten per cent of the electricity consumption within the EU by 2020.

In a bid to help the industry improve its energy efficiency it has urged the European Commission to provide a coherent legal framework within which cloud computing services could operate. This, the ICT sector claims, would help businesses to participate in the global market.

Such a framework might help to clarify the network requirements businesses will need to adhere to if they want to make the most of cloud computing. Leased lines can be particularly helpful when it comes to providing a guaranteed bandwidth to access cloud applications and data, and are worth considering before an organisation moves towards the cloud.

hSo provides managed networks designed for business. To get an instant cost for a leased line at your location, visit our online leased line price checker.