Sustainability by INFORM

INFORM donates old hardware to support Green IT and promote access to technology! 💻🖱️🌱 At INFORM GmbH - Optimization Software, we collect old laptops and donate them to schools and educational institutions in our region that are in need. The devices are professionally refurbished, with all data securely erased, and a new operating system installed. They are then either collected or handed over personally by our employees. One example is our colleague Lothar Wiebusch, who has successfully donated two batches of old hardware in the past few years. 20 computers, keyboards and mice each went to his daughter's school, the Kaiser-Karls-Gymnasium in Aachen, where they benefited the computer lab of the computer science course. The donations not only helped to improve the learning environment, but also ensured that the students had access to the latest technology to enhance their IT skills in a practical way. Around two million tons of electronic waste are generated in Germany every year. A large proportion of this is old computers and related hardware, which only have a very short lifespan due to rapid technological progress and are quickly replaced even though they are still fully functional and operational. Many of these devices could still be put to good use by being donated. 🔄🌍 Donations not only help to conserve resources and reuse valuable materials, but also gives people from low-income families, especially children and young people, access to IT and education. ❓ Have you ever donated or thought about donating old hardware? #GreenIT #TechDonation #ReduceReuseRecycle #SocialImpact #Sustainability

𝐀 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠?   Imagine you want to read a book. You have two options: You can go to a bookstore, buy a book, and take it home. Or you can sign up with an online bookstore and, for a monthly fee, rent as many books as you want.  📚 This is exactly what cloud vs. on-premises is all about: With on-premises, all IT resources and systems are provided and maintained locally within your own organisation. This means that a company must first invest in infrastructure and hardware and then operate and manage it itself. That’s your bookshelf at home. In the cloud, on the other hand, services and resources such as storage, computing power, applications etc. are provided over the internet by a cloud provider. Users can utilise these resources as required and usually only pay for what they actually use. It's like your online bookstore. So, what is more sustainable: buying books yourself or borrowing them? I think we can all agree on that... With on-premises, the company's own infrastructure is often not utilised properly and resources are wasted as a result. But with cloud computing less infrastructure is required and the existing infrastructure is better utilised, resulting in lower energy consumption. In addition, you remain flexible and can adjust your requirements at any time. What pros and cons do you see with cloud vs. on-prem? #CloudComputing #CloudVsOnPremises #Sustainability #DigitalTransformation

Is AI trustworthy? 🤔 The tremendous advances in Large Language Models such as ChatGPT and other AI applications fascinate people around the world. However, their use also raises reliability and security risks that affect society, business, and work. Companies need to take these concerns seriously in order to minimize risks while realizing the full potential of AI. As a company that develops AI algorithms for various markets, we at INFORM GmbH - Optimization Software are committed to building trustworthy software and engaging in responsible applications. We aim to build AI systems that benefit users and society, and are consistent with human values and goals. In our view, AI systems should assist people in their work and support and enhance business decision-making. When using AI, we are committed to privacy and data protection and adhere to the respective legislation. We deliver AI applications of high quality and reliability and are always aware of potential security issues associated with the use of AI. Visit our website to learn more about our six guidelines for the responsible use of AI: 📜 https://lnkd.in/dsyBjMHe #AI guidelines should regulate the handling and use of AI technologies in companies, ensuring that they are used in an ethical, safe and productive manner. We believe that only transparency and a human-centered approach can provide the foundation for trustworthy AI to be adopted and accepted by people. 🤝 ❓ What are your thoughts on the responsible use of AI and its impact on our society and future? #ResponsibleAI #DataProtection #BusinessIntelligence #SustainableAI

Blockchain as an environmental sin or a climate saver? There are conflicting opinions on this…💡 Michael Schwemmle is a business development and sales expert at INFORM GmbH - Optimization Software, and a pioneer with deep insights into digitalisation, sustainability and technology. As a future architect and tech philosopher, he navigates us through the latest trends and challenges with curiosity and a forward-thinking perspective. His mission: to share knowledge and visions that shape our world. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐋!!! Blockchain is criticised by many people. The reason is obvious: extremely high energy consumption. At least when using the POW consensus algorithm, which is used to verify the transaction and create a new block in the blockchain. But is it really a single environmental sin? 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝!!! Ok, maybe that sounds a bit exaggerated... But blockchain supporters believe that blockchain has the potential to improve sustainability on our planet. The focus is even on specific SDGs: 𝐒𝐃𝐆 𝟖: Blockchain enables decent work and economic growth through increased transparency in the supply chain. This prevents labour rights violations and environmental damage. 𝐒𝐃𝐆 𝟏𝟐: Responsible consumption and production patterns, because blockchain enhances possible new ecosystems which could reduce overproduction and waste based on society's actual needs. 𝐒𝐃𝐆 𝟏, 𝟏𝟎: No poverty and less inequality because blockchain can be used for financial inclusion to provide financial resources and proof of identity to people without access to traditional banking services. ❓ What do you think? Curse or blessing?

Today is International Mother Earth Day. 🌍 In fact, every day is an important day for the protection of our planet, but today is especially important: Each of us must strive to preserve and protect our earth as a planet worth living on. Our team at INFORM GmbH - Optimization Software is exhibiting our software solutions at the HANNOVER MESSE today, where we're also celebrating Earth Day! We attended an inspiring panel discussion on "Insights on Earth Day: Sustainability through Digital Transformation" with VAUDE, ServiceNow and Glacier. The session highlighted how the convergence of sustainability and digitalisation, through twin transformations, can address the challenges we face. 🌱 If you're also attending the Hannover Messe this week, feel free to come and visit us in Hall 15, Booth G60 and talk with us about how we at INFORM not only support operational and strategic business decisions, but also create social and environmental benefits that promote sustainability. 👋 #EarthDay #Sustainability #DigitalTransformation #HannoverMesse #TwinTransformation

80% of all companies have experienced data loss or theft, industrial espionage, or sabotage in the last 12 months. This was the result of a study by Bitcom. 🔒💻 This is why information security is becoming increasingly important for companies. Information security encompasses all measures taken to protect information in order to prevent unauthorized access to business information. ❓ But what are the possible consequences of missing information security in companies? Information gaps and failures due to cyber-attacks can cause huge damage. Not only to the company itself, but also to its customers. In addition to the loss of critical data, the reputational and financial impact can be enormous. Failure to manage attacks effectively can even lead to insolvency and the loss of many jobs. This is why for many customers a lack of certification for information security is often a knock-out criterion for cooperation. 🚫 At INFORM GmbH - Optimization Software, the protection of information is not only a matter of business continuity for our customers, but also a matter of long-term job security for our employees. As part of our ISO 27001 certification, we constantly monitor and improve our information security within the company. Only through efficient risk management can we identify and prevent potential threats and create a safe environment for our stakeholders. #informationsecurity #sustainability #ISO27001 #riskmanagement

Data centers currently consume about 3% of Germany's total electricity consumption per year, with a strong upward trend towards 6% per year. The IT industry is known for its enormous energy consumption. Data centers, where data is stored and processed, require huge amounts of electricity to run their servers, networks and cooling systems. As the demand for digital services continues to grow and the number of data centers around the world increases, it is important to find solutions to reduce the energy consumption and environmental impact of IT infrastructure. But what exactly does a greener version of our data centres look like? The first key aspect of green data centres is the use of renewable energy sources such as solar energy, wind energy or hydropower. These sources help to reduce the data centre's carbon footprint. 🔋⚡ At the same time, green data centres use energy-efficient hardware components or cooling technologies such as air or liquid cooling, which consume less energy. In addition, intelligent energy management systems help to monitor, optimise and control energy consumption. To summarize: Green data centers are designed to use energy more efficiently and therefore have the potential to significantly improve the environmental impact of our IT infrastructure.🔋⚡ 

𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝟐 𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐎𝟐 𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠? 𝐘𝐞𝐬, 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞! Peter Dohmen took a closer look at the printer fleet at INFORM GmbH - Optimization Software as part of his bachelor's thesis at FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences. His #goal: to save CO2 and reduce the amount of waste. "The starting point was a list with the number of devices, location, models, manufacturers and functions. With the help of the utilisation rate and the technical data of the individual devices, I was able to determine the consumption of toner, paper and energy." This provided Peter precise overview of the printer devices and their utilisation at INFORM. "The life cycle assessment was a very helpful tool for analysing individual processes and their ecological impact." This enabled Peter to make specific recommendations for a more sustainable printer fleet at INFORM, not only saving CO2, but also cutting costs. The old toner from the printers at INFORM is already being processed and reused with the help of a recycling programme. According to Peter, however, recycling could still be optimised by refurbishing old devices. "There are organisations where the refurbishment of appliances is carried out by people with disabilities. This considers not only #ecological but also #social aspects," adds Peter. During his studies, Peter realised the exploitational impact of our current growth-driven economic system on our planet. "Fortunately, my interest was supported by INFORM and I was able to deepen my knowledge in this area." 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐫'𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐲-𝐭𝐨-𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞!

We are excited to support the operation of Europe's first CO2-neutral intermodal terminal in Duisburg with our advanced AI-based solutions. The project is a great example of how innovation and environmental protection can go hand in hand to create a more sustainable future. We are proud to be part of this project and to ensure a robust start as the terminal initiates operations and scales up. 💚

Software consumes a lot of #energy and #CO2. Therefore, we need to find a way to use it more efficiently to save resources. But how can we achieve that? Marco Paga talked about 'Green Software' at INFORM GmbH - Optimization Software to help answer this question. He has been working in IT for 20 years and has experience in building new and rebuilding existing systems. In his view, the three #principles of the Green Software Foundation provide a good starting point: 𝟏. 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲: consume the least amount of electricity possible  𝟐. 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲: use least the amount of embodied carbon possible  𝟑. 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬: do more when the electricity is clean and less when it's dirty. But how can we implement those principles in practice? It’s always about measuring the current state, identifying improvement potential, and then optimizing processes. But that's easier said than done. Marco explains in detail how to step by step manage to optimize software landscapes sustainably. Which steps are important? Which parameters do I need to consider? And which tools can support me? Thanks, Marco, for this interesting talk. We found it very enlightening and hands-on! 😎