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In today’s business landscape, sustainability is not just a buzzword but a crucial aspect of long-term success. Companies that embed sustainability into their business models from the ground up are better positioned to thrive in today’s world.
At Nile, sustainability isn’t an afterthought—it’s at the core of everything we do. We believe that embedding eco-friendly practices into our business model is the key to long-term success. Here are some practices that we’ve standardized on to ensure our customers are also meeting their goals.
1. Sustainable Product Design
The Nile Access Service is designed with the environment in mind from start to finish. We have considered that the useful life of our equipment is a key factor in that. Customers traditionally expect a piece of equipment to serve for a defined period that typically ranges from 5 to 7 years.
However, unexpected changes in the operating environment can affect this. For example, a significant business expansion might place increasing demands on a core switch, reducing its useful life. New applications may require a WAN architecture update that can also impact the lifespan of network equipment. Conversely, a stable environment may extend the useful life of infrastructure beyond defined recommendations.
Our network infrastructure is designed and delivered by leveraging infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) principles of the cloud into secure wired and wireless connectivity for the enterprise campus and branch. This Edge infrastructure is referred to as a Nile Service Block (NSB) and includes purpose-built enterprise-grade hardware, end-to-end AI automation and simplified software stack.
Our automation powered by the Nile Services Cloud detects any such demand strains on Nile Devices and helps close the loop with proactive resolution thereby substantially elongating the life of our hardware. Nile Services Cloud also helps smartly manage power demands required by the end devices and maximizes power budget requirements. Visibility into the power consumption per switch also provides customers with how much and how many devices of different classes can be supported.
Every device in an NSB is designed with industry leading power efficient ASICs and other components. Additionally, when deployed following recommended standards, the Nile Service Block monitors environmental conditions within network closets and optimizes power consumption for switches including controlling fans. Based on certain conditions determined by our monitoring and analysis services we can even turn off radios in access points and disable unused ports to further enhance efficiency.
The topology and design of each Nile Service Block is highly scalable, accommodating everything from small sites with fewer than 50 devices to large sites with tens of thousands of devices. This scalability eliminates the need to redesign and discard legacy networking equipment, ensuring seamless integration and continuity of operations.
2. Supply Chain Efficiency
We work with our supply chain vendors to minimize the environmental impact of our service by making conscientious choices and implementing efficient practices. We partner with sustainable suppliers, such as Amazon Fulfillment Services, and other efficient logistics partners.
Our strategies include reducing the number of shipments per deployment, minimizing the distance traveled per shipment, and eliminating the need to stage equipment. These efforts collectively help reduce transportation emissions. Additionally, we focus on incorporating energy-efficient logistics solutions to further our commitment to sustainability.
3. A Shift Left Mentality
Adopting a circular economy mindset, we have focused on reusing components and reducing packaging waste. Our refurbishment process is a cornerstone of our sustainability efforts that help prevent our equipment from ending up in landfills to avoid associated emissions and contaminants. This process is vital for devices returned after proof of concepts, demonstrations, or service terminations.
The Nile Services Cloud allows us to enable software-based deactivation and to remove all data once it is time to properly remove any hardware from operational use.
Our reverse logistics partner helps us consolidate, assess, perform physical checks, and recirculate our inventory using Nile’s proprietary technology platform and mobile app. Our refurbishment programs ensure products can be refurbished and redeployed, minimizing waste.
At Nile, we use a “shift left” approach to further enhance our sustainability and efficiency. By addressing potential issues early in the process, we prevent problems from occurring later. Here’s how:
Automated Diagnostics and Testing
We use advanced device diagnostic technology to identify issues as soon as a device is turned on. This allows us to quickly address and resolve problems, speeding up the refurbishment process.
Automated IT Processes
We perform factory resets, software updates, and functionality tests using automated processes that reduce the need for manual intervention while minimizing errors.
Predictive Maintenance
Leveraging the Nile Services Cloud that employs data analytics and machine learning, we predict potential issues and maintenance needs. This proactive approach ensures our devices are refurbished to the highest standards, extending their lifespan.
Continuous Feedback Loop
We constantly analyze feedback from customer environments, usage patterns, and customers and service teams to learn, automate, and refine our services. This cycle of continuous improvement helps us uphold high standards and maximize efficiency.
Training and Development
We invest in our team’s operational efficiency training, ensuring they have the latest technology and skills to perform their tasks efficiently and effectively, with the necessary tools readily available.
The benefits to our shift left strategy are numerous and include:
- Improved hardware quality: Early detection and resolution of issues lead to higher-quality refurbished devices.
- Reduced costs: Addressing problems early reduces the need for costly repairs and rework.
- Faster turnaround: Streamlined processes result in quicker refurbishment times.
- Improved customer satisfaction: High-quality, reliable devices increase customer satisfaction and trust.
- Enhanced scalability: Efficient processes and predictive maintenance enable us to scale our refurbishment process as demand grows.
By integrating sustainability into our business model and leveraging the shift left methodology, Nile is not only driving change but leading the way in sustainable practices that benefit our customers, business and the planet.
For more information on how we take operational efficiencies to heart, please reach out to us at https://nilesecure.com/company/contact-us.
