Technology
Hardware makers like Intel and Western Digital are all about conservation.
Because they create the technology that drives hardware like web servers,
which are powered for their entire life cycle, they've focused attention
on more energy-efficient components.
Korax has gradually shifted its entire server farm to servers utilizing
the most energy-efficient and coolest running components. That means
substantially less energy used per server than just a few years ago.
Multiply that by hundreds of servers, and the green savings are significant.
No paper equals no waste
Korax was one of the first web hosting companies in the 1990s
to develop a
web-based control panel for its customers, and from the start,
we understood the value of a paperless office environment. We've always
provided electronic billing for our customers. And, we've helped customers
adapt to a paperless billing cycle, completely eliminating the mailing of paper bills.
For our part, we ask for and take advantage
of electronic billing from our vendors, either through e-mail, PDF, or other means.
Electronic payment
To help avoid the cost and impact of paper cheques, Korax encourages the use of
electronic payment methods for its services, like credit cards and web banking.
And in turn, through common-sense practices like automated debit and credit bank
transactions, through the 2000s we've reduced our company's use of paper cheques to virtually zero.
Marketing without the environmental impact
Let's face it: ours is an online business. Transactions are electronic, we communicate
with our customers by e-mail, and the very service we sell is about the kind of
marketing that doesn't use paper.
We don't need paper-based marketing materials. We never have.
We've made a conscious decision to avoid producing printed materials
like sales sheets, brochures, and other items. Our main method of communication
is e-mail and telephone, so we've reduced the number of business cards our company
uses, and the people who get them. We look for vendors who've done the same, or
who can sell us their products and services without paper waste.
Telecommuting and the virtual office
When it comes to the environment, the biggest impact may be transportation
and the non-renewable resources it consumes.
Using technologies that are now standard business tools, like virtual private networks and
voice over IP, we've been able to ease the commuting burden
of our employees. With simple technology changes and easily implemented procedures,
our customer support staff can now work from wherever they are, without
the need to commute.
Taking cars off the road and easing the burden on public transport goes a long way
to creating a truly green-powered business. And it makes very satisfied employees.
When it comes to promoting a greener business, Korax found that by using the
tools and technologies already at its disposal, and by implementing a few
common-sense procedures, it was easy to help the environment.
