Supporting your ESG initiatives with Digital Asset Management

22. August 2024 Julia Stephan

A study by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) conducted in the UK showed that storing unnecessary digital data significantly contributes to carbon emissions. The main drivers being redundant data storage, including duplicated photos, emails, and streamed content.

While this study focused mostly on individuals, large companies also create, process, and store huge amounts of files often only for single-use purposes - never reused - contributing to significant energy consumption and environmental impact. These files mostly include redundant photos and outdated documents, which occupy space on energy-intensive servers.

Despite the growing digital data production there is often little to no policy focus on reducing the digital carbon footprint. Strategies for managing and reusing digital data can help organizations reduce unnecessary data production and contribute to reducing emissions.

Many software vendors have realized this, too, and take action to increase efforts in sustainability. Gartner highlights sustainable technology as a top strategic trend for 2024, emphasizing its role in driving Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) impact.

— “The very core of our industry is to innovate, and that innovation and agility drive will be pivotal in changing the ESG landscape for the better. Not only sustainability, but also in regards to social responsibility and diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

Anne Gretland

CEO at Fotoware

How Fotoware contributes to your ESG efforts

Digital Asset Management (DAM) systems often constitute a major part within large firms’ tech stacks and are the central place to store and manage their digital files.

As a DAM vendor, we at Fotoware have implemented comprehensive ESG measures in order to reduce our own carbon footprint, but also to support your organization’s ESG efforts.

This is how Fotoware DAM solutions can contribute to reduce emissions from your media files:

Centralization and accessibility

Centralizing and optimizing the storage, retrieval, and distribution of digital assets, Fotoware reduces the need for multiple copies of files across various devices and servers. This centralization minimizes redundant data storage and reduces the overall energy consumption.

Our DAM solutions come with advanced search and indexing capabilities and therefore enable quick and efficient retrieval of files. This reduces the time and computational power required to locate and access the digital assets you are looking for, leading to lower energy consumption by servers and workstations.

Automation and workflows

Automation through metadata-driven workflows can reduce resource-intensive activities and repetitive or time-consuming manual work. As a result, this leads to more efficient use of energy.

DAM collaboration with comments and annotations

Digital collaboration

Fotoware facilitates remote teamwork through extensive digital collaboration capabilities, reducing the need for physical meetings, travel, and commuting. Teams can work together on digital assets seamlessly from different countries and locations, minimizing carbon emissions from transportation.

It ensures better accessibility and inclusivity by providing consistent and quick access to digital assets, while providing enhanced transparency and traceability of digital asset usage and management.

Data Analysis with Fotoware Activity Exports

Analyze activities

With features like Activity Exports, Fotoware DAM allows you to keep track of asset-related activities in your system. By monitoring how assets are accessed and used, you can identify opportunities to reduce redundant, duplicate, or underused assets, thereby optimizing storage and energy use.

Customer education and support

We have a knowledgeable team of experts available to actively educate customers on sustainable routines in their DAM. From optimizing asset usage, reducing storage to avoiding unnecessary downloads, we encourage users to make conscious choices. Well-supported and knowledgeable users can drive more sustainable, ethical, and compliant operations within their organizations.

what is content operations fotoware blog

Beyond sustainability - Fotoware’s ESG strategy

Sustainable technology is not just about eco-friendly IT practices but also about leveraging technology to achieve broader ESG goals. This includes optimizing costs, energy consumption, and asset utilization while committing to responsible business practices, ethical behavior, and supply chain transparency.

At Fotoware, we not only work to reduce our own and our customers’ carbon footprint, we also foster a diverse, inclusive, and hybrid workplace. We comply with laws and regulations and promote transparency and accountability in our operations as well as in our supply chain, while prioritizing the security of data, infrastructure, and identity. Our ESG policy is aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

— “My motivation is always about delivering the best products and services to our customers and, at the same time, running a responsible and sustainable company for our customers, our employees, and our partners. We have a responsibility to understand the impact we have on the environment and the society in general, We have a responsibility to understand the impact we have on the environment and the society in general, and to make decisions for our company we can be proud of, in any aspect, long into the future.”

Anne Gretland

CEO at Fotoware

Official acknowledgements

ISO 9001 – Quality Management

Fotoware’s commitment to quality management aligns with both governance and environmental responsibility. Our adherence to the ISO 9001 standard ensures that our processes are efficient, effective, and environmentally conscious.

Eco-Lighthouse Certification

The Eco-Lighthouse (Miljøfyrtårn) is Norway's most widely used certification scheme for companies documenting their environmental efforts and demonstrate social responsibility. By meeting the criteria of Eco-Lighthouse, our efforts to reduce our environmental footprint, energy efficiency, waste reduction, and a sustainable work culture is officially acknowledged. It is also recognized by the European Commission and on a par with the international eco-labelling schemes like ISO 14001 or EMAS.

Digital Asset Management software - support and service expertise

Conclusion

In summary, managing files responsibly and efficiently can significantly contribute to reducing your carbon footprint – a DAM system can be a great support on that.

Additionally, Fotoware’s dedication to ESG, including sustainable technology and innovation, cloud-based solutions, and responsible practices, contributes to your organization’s efforts in reducing overall environmental impact but also fostering better collaboration as well as compliance with rules and regulations.

We are proud to enable our own company as well as our customers to contribute to a more sustainable future and look forward to continuing our work in promoting eco-friendly practices and hope to inspire others to join us in this endeavor.