Speaking of bottom-line green, Kevin Piotrowski, director of discrete solution marketing for Infor, has submitted the following story on using technology to achieve sustainable business and significant cost savings.
Before the current global economic crisis, everyone seemed to be talking about how to “go green.” After the crash, however, people and businesses have shifted their focus to another kind of “green” – the kind that gets stuffed into a billfold. It seems the scientific community has standardized on its opinion that urgent action is essential to reverse the negative effects of global climate change, but has the economic crisis set us back in terms of rising to meet this need? One might think so.
The public, and business especially, operates under the misconception that becoming more eco-conscious is expensive. The truth is that there are many ways for corporations to quickly make a change with no effect on the bottom line, such as recycling programs and resource reuse – but much more can be done. Companies can identify ways to reduce waste, which not only makes them greener, but simultaneously reduces costs and makes them leaner - a win-win for both the environment and the bottom line.
Technologies are emerging that help companies achieve their green goals while satisfying their lean objectives. While most of the technologies have yet to be fully developed, solutions are currently available that help companies become lean and green through enterprise asset management and supply chain network design. Though such solutions are not free, their overall effect on cost can quickly produce a positive return on investment.
Studies have shown that by properly maintaining assets, companies can reduce overall energy consumption by 15 percent. Accounting for the high costs of energy, that saves a lot of green! The technology behind such a solution monitors each of a facility’s major assets, like air conditioners, refrigeration systems, etc., and tracks performance against the optimal levels. When assets fall below the predetermined acceptable point, a work order is generated to fix the problem so the equipment runs efficiently again.
With supply chain complexity continuing to grow, companies are spending large amounts of money and resources transporting parts and goods from various nodes such as plants, warehouses and stores in a variety of methods like rail, air, water and trucking. Companies wishing to reduce their carbon footprint and costs can take advantage of software systems that strategically model their supply chain and determine the optimal locations for nodes and methods of transport. These systems analyze the company’s current supply chain network and make recommendations to reduce environmental and bottom line impact.
The current economic climate provides an ideal time for companies to reevaluate their operations from a lean and green standpoint. Businesses should not only look for the low-hanging fruit and establish viable recycling programs, but also examine their practices and make use of technologies that help reduce the environmental impact of their assets and supply chains. There is no better time than the present to help promote the sustainability of our environment while also boosting profit margins.
Before the current global economic crisis, everyone seemed to be talking about how to “go green.” After the crash, however, people and businesses have shifted their focus to another kind of “green” – the kind that gets stuffed into a billfold. It seems the scientific community has standardized on its opinion that urgent action is essential to reverse the negative effects of global climate change, but has the economic crisis set us back in terms of rising to meet this need? One might think so.
The public, and business especially, operates under the misconception that becoming more eco-conscious is expensive. The truth is that there are many ways for corporations to quickly make a change with no effect on the bottom line, such as recycling programs and resource reuse – but much more can be done. Companies can identify ways to reduce waste, which not only makes them greener, but simultaneously reduces costs and makes them leaner - a win-win for both the environment and the bottom line.
Technologies are emerging that help companies achieve their green goals while satisfying their lean objectives. While most of the technologies have yet to be fully developed, solutions are currently available that help companies become lean and green through enterprise asset management and supply chain network design. Though such solutions are not free, their overall effect on cost can quickly produce a positive return on investment.
Studies have shown that by properly maintaining assets, companies can reduce overall energy consumption by 15 percent. Accounting for the high costs of energy, that saves a lot of green! The technology behind such a solution monitors each of a facility’s major assets, like air conditioners, refrigeration systems, etc., and tracks performance against the optimal levels. When assets fall below the predetermined acceptable point, a work order is generated to fix the problem so the equipment runs efficiently again.
With supply chain complexity continuing to grow, companies are spending large amounts of money and resources transporting parts and goods from various nodes such as plants, warehouses and stores in a variety of methods like rail, air, water and trucking. Companies wishing to reduce their carbon footprint and costs can take advantage of software systems that strategically model their supply chain and determine the optimal locations for nodes and methods of transport. These systems analyze the company’s current supply chain network and make recommendations to reduce environmental and bottom line impact.
The current economic climate provides an ideal time for companies to reevaluate their operations from a lean and green standpoint. Businesses should not only look for the low-hanging fruit and establish viable recycling programs, but also examine their practices and make use of technologies that help reduce the environmental impact of their assets and supply chains. There is no better time than the present to help promote the sustainability of our environment while also boosting profit margins.
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