T-Systems signs partnership agreement with 49M

49M is an Eskom initiative, endorsed by government and business partners such as T-Systems, which urges all South Africans to reduce their current energy consumption by at least 10%, by changing the way they use electricity. The initiative aims to drive energy savings as a national culture and aid South Africa in creating a sustainable future.

"Sustainability is one of T-Systems' core beliefs internationally, and a big part of creating a sustainable future is reducing energy consumption through smart, efficient and green IT practices and technologies. By joining the 49M movement we are taking a significant step towards bringing this core belief home in South Africa," said Gert Schoonbee, managing director of T-Systems South Africa.

A host of benefits

"We believe that considering ICT solutions from an environmental perspective, it can deliver a host of benefits. By harnessing energy-efficient hardware and software, organisations can cut carbon emissions, save electricity costs and make business processes more cost effective and eco-friendly, helping local businesses to work towards achieving the 49M goal," Schoonbee added.

T-Systems researches, develops, uses and sells solutions that save electricity, cut paper consumption, diminish the need for hardware, and ease traffic. Cloud computing, low-energy hardware or substituting time and cost-intensive business trips with video conferencing can substantially reduce energy consumption. Cloud computing based on virtualisation technologies and high-level standardisation reduce data centres' electricity consumption by up to 80%. Using thin clients consumes only around 0.08 kWh per day per computer, slashing CO2 emissions by 54%. Video conferences reduce travel-related carbon emissions output by up to 10%.

Smart metering solutions

Other technologies for sustainability developed by T-Systems include smart metering solutions to optimise prepaid utility usage, including electricity. Smart metering can help to drive down power usage and establish intelligent networks that manage electricity optimally, helping participants in the 49M campaign to achieve their 10% energy reduction targets more easily.

"Deutsche Telekom and its corporate customer arm, T-Systems, are leaders in the emerging field of Smart Energy to ensure that this increasingly scarce and expensive resource is managed more transparently and sparingly. While doing so, we realise locally as well that smart energy is more than a technology or even a set of technology solutions. It is a mindset. We are therefore excited that the 49M campaign can be used to mobilise all our people and partners to adopt this mindset and believe it will pave the way to develop our smart energy offering even further," Schoonbee added.

Changing attitudes

"We are thrilled to have T-Systems on board. This partnership is a reinforcement of our commitment to acknowledge the role played by our partners in managing energy usage. We commend T-Systems for heeding the call to save energy in their business and for providing innovative technology solutions that can help other businesses and individuals to do the same," said Pieter Pretorius, 49M senior manager of Strategic Marketing at Eskom.

"Saving energy is about changing attitudes and committing to small changes in everyday life, together, we can make a big difference." Pretorius urged individuals and businesses to undertake a personal journey towards a sustainable future.

Since its launch a year ago 49M has signed over 60 partners who have pledged their support to the campaign. More than 14% of these partners are corporate companies listed in the JSE. 49M also has the support of the country's top ten environmental non-government organisations.