Make ITAM a key player in your sustainability strategy

[Bryan Blackburn]

While the allure of traveling through space becomes more enticing, the hard truth is we only have this one planet (for now at least). When it comes to the work we do, many businesses are taking action to align business outcomes with sustainable and ethical practices to ensure that our environment and people are taken care of properly. This means taking a hard look at what processes are already in place and creating a new way of going about day-to-day business. For some, this may look like a complete overhaul of business operations. For others, it may look like a series of small, strategic steps moving them toward a more sustainable and measurable way of working and contributing to a healthier world.  

The technology assets we use to run our businesses could prove to be an effective starting point for those seeking to make positive environmental and social impacts. As assets go through their lifecycles, ITAM teams have a significant opportunity to embed sustainable practices into their asset lifecycle management strategies to help ensure the assets we use are given the most “life” possible. Adopting a “recycle, reuse, repurpose” mentality when it comes to our assets not only can help improve costs and asset optimization but can help reduce the amount of technology going to waste. 

While IT asset management (ITAM) may not be the end-all solution for sustainability, it sure can play a vital role in moving businesses toward successful ESG outcomes. Let’s dive into what Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) is and the critical role of ITAM in helping businesses create a more sustainable world. 

What is Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)? 

Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) refers to an organization’s efforts and consistent practices in sustainability, social responsibility, and corporate governance. These three criteria work together to paint an overall picture of how an organization performs in protecting and preserving the environment, contributing to the health and betterment of their communities, and their dedication to following ethical business practices.  

ESG has evolved in such a way that it now has great significance in how business performance is evaluated, especially from the view of potential customers, partners and investors. However, the general population is now also heavily interested in supporting businesses that care about the world and who are taking the right steps to better the health of our planet. IBM reports in a recent global study that consumers are changing their buying habits to prioritize businesses that are sustainable, transparent, and are aligned with their core values. The report shows that consumers are willing to stop purchasing products from their favorite brands and are willing to pay more for eco-friendly brand replacements. In short, the safety and health of Mother Earth are of rising concern for everyone, and businesses are expected to take action or are at risk of losing a large portion of their customer base. 

The modern buyer (and employee) prefer to support businesses who prioritize the health and future of our environment, and for good reason. The Global E-waste Monitor 2020 reports a record of 53.6 million metric tonnes (Mt) of electronic waste was generated worldwide in 2019 and predicts that by 2030 that number could reach 74 Mt, making it the world’s fastest-growing waste stream. This equates to roughly $57 billion worth of precious metals being dumped or burned as opposed to being properly collected and treated for re-use. Dollars aside, significant tech waste is contributing to increased levels of toxic substances making their way into our soil, air, and water. With technology consumption increasing and global resources dwindling, it is more important than ever to make the most of the assets we have and to consciously make the effort to limit the amount of e-waste going to landfills.  

ITAM’s role in Environmental Social and Governance 

ITAM leaders agree with a little gusto, asset management professionals can implement a more sustainable approach to IT asset use—not only to optimize consumption within the workplace but to make responsible decisions when it comes to sourcing and disposing assets. Working Group 21 (WG21), an international voluntary group that builds ITAM standards, recently released a white paper on how ITAM can contribute towards sustainability, exploring the pressing topic of environmental health and asset management. With information on what assets are owned, how they are being used and configured, and where they are in their lifecycle, ITAM professionals should be well-equipped to create sustainable practices within their asset lifecycle management practices.  

The WG21 white paper provides some practical ways ITAM professionals can increase focus on sustainability in their day-to-day work, focusing on three areas where outcomes can be achieved: 

1. Smarter decision making around sustainable partners and suppliers 

Sustainability can begin right at the time of purchase for those who are purposefully buying assets from companies with sustainable practices and who are not causing harm to the environment. As we decide which businesses to support and partner with, it’s important for us to consider: 

• Choosing reusable products  
• Reducing plastic waste 
• Buying second hand when possible 
• Buying (user-)repairable devices that come with long warranties and support after the last sale 
• Disposing of assets with help from a specialist – Independent parties tend to score highly for reuse or avoiding landfill 
• Seeking support from third-party maintainers if support is not available from the original manufacturer

2. Be smarter around the usage of assets throughout their lifecycle 

Next, sustainable ITAM means being smarter about how assets are used and managed throughout their lifecycle. Asset usage data can be instrumental in helping to determine assets that require less maintenance, use less energy, or are viable to use past their internal expiration dates. We must also be aware of the processes involved in managing our assets and look for ways to make transporting, transferring, and keeping records of assets more eco-friendly. We can do this by: 

• Recycling paper, plastic, and old hardware 
• Reducing the use of paper – avoiding printing, substituting it with electronic devices 
• Offsetting carbon emissions 
• Buying low-power devices and supporting proactive power management for all IT assets

3. Make smarter choices when it comes to an asset’s end of life 

When we know an asset is approaching end of life, we have some options as far as what comes next. If an asset must be retired, can that asset be cleaned and repurposed for non-critical business services? If the asset must be disposed of, are we making sure they are being recycled or treated appropriately for reuse? For our assets approaching end of life, we must consider: 

• Re-using existing, fit-for-purpose assets rather than purchasing new¹ 
• Recycling and properly disposing of assets through approved, eco-friendly channels 
• Donating devices to in-need communities

This list provides some initial insight into the everyday choices that can directly impact sustainability efforts throughout an asset’s lifecycle. We can (and should) be more strategic on which businesses we buy from and need to be more mindful of the path we take when assets reach end of life—repurposing and recycling being smart alternatives to purchasing new assets or sending assets to landfills.  

How ServiceNow Hardware Asset Management (HAM) can help: 

With the right tools and processes in place, ITAM professionals are in a unique position to make a positive impact. ServiceNow® Hardware Asset Management (HAM) can help provide end-to-end visibility of your technology assets with industry-leading, best-practice workflows that connect everyone involved in lifecycle processes—from request to disposal. With increased visibility of the full asset estate, you’ll gain actionable insight to help you gain the most value of the assets you’re already using and make more strategic decisions on new purchases, asset refreshes, asset disposal, and repurposing assets. When HAM runs natively on the platform where you manage the rest of IT, you can make work flow throughout the organization. For businesses exploring more ways to contribute to ESG initiatives, HAM offers a single system of record and action to help you: 

• Optimize stockroom inventories to reduce procurement of new hardware assets  
• Identify stranded servers (e.g. not used to deliver services) and repurpose as needed 
• Optimize vendor selection and ESG friendly suppliers by identifying equipment with high failures and shortened lifecycles  
• Consolidate shipments to reduce packaging and shipment activities through bulk transfer orders 
• Reduce e-waste by incorporating environmentally friendly and ethical ways to dispose assets 
• Extend the value of aging assets by recycling and repurposing assets for non-critical business services like internship programs, temporary employees, or loaner assets 
• Maintain compliance with legal requirements, contracts, ISO standards, and data privacy laws 

Sustainability isn’t just a c-level and boardroom focus, it extends to the entire organization if a business is to successfully adapt its work toward sustainable, ethical practices. Strategic asset lifecycle management doesn’t just impact the bottom line but, with the right processes in place, can help improve environmental health, increase employee/customer satisfaction, and reduce supplier risk. IT Asset Management is but one area where businesses can make the right changes toward sustainability—but is an area full of opportunities. 

To learn more about what ServiceNow Hardware Asset Management can help you achieve, request a demo today. 

1. Pulled directly from “How IT Asset Management Can Contribute Towards Sustainability” White Paper.