Prázdny
Prázdny
2/19/2021

Daniel Peťovský: Cloud brings flexibility, innovation, and cost savings

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Daniel is our ambassador for Public Cloud Platforms. He has been with the company since 2006. From his position as ambassador and Cloud Architect, he told us about the public cloud, but also about what he likes about his work.

How would you describe a public cloud for a person who does not work in IT?

Cloud is a service in which the supplier provides the customer with servers, databases, networks, storage, or software without the end user taking care of the infrastructure. The public cloud is freely available, operated in the owner's data centers. The best known providers of public clouds are, for example, Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud.

How has the cloud changed the IT sector?

To a great extent. In the past, many customers worked on their own data centers, which represented higher investment costs for them - they bought hardware for 5 years, which was less flexible and more difficult to optimize. The cloud is the exact opposite of past solutions. In terms of costs, it represents operating costs, eliminates the need to worry about hardware, and has a high degree of flexibility to increase or decrease performance if necessary or during planned changes.

At the same time, the cloud has also changed the focus of IT staff. In traditional IT, the man was a networker and focused only on networks. This is not the case with the cloud, as everything is slowly interconnected. A person who administers in the cloud must have knowledge of networks, operating systems, security. Thanks to this, he/she is not only boxed in one sphere, but he/she has a broader overview, and he/she can be of use, for example, in another area.

What do you see as the biggest benefit of cloud?

It certainly is the flexibility, innovation, and cost savings. Cloud solutions are flexible and less time-consuming. In the past, hardware, an operating system, a person to manage a database were needed, while in the cloud, everything can be done with simple clicks without worrying about hardware, which eliminates customer worries and the responsibility for the system lies with the provider.

What is your role as a Cloud Architect?

My job includes new orders from the initial pre-sales phase, introducing the solution to a specific customer. I also solve the design of the environment - from networks, operating system, virtual machines, databases to the final implementation. The result is a monitored and secure cloud, the systems of which are taken care of, optimized, and updated by colleagues. I provide technical details, I also take care of migration to the cloud, I am a consultant for the customer. From practice, I see how important communication with customers is. I usually come across the opinions of people who do not consider the cloud safe, do not know it and it is necessary to explain to customers the need and benefits of the cloud. 

Does the cloud have its place in the future?

Certainly yes, whether we are talking about the public cloud in which I work or a private cloud. Even today, we see a trend of customers to use the services themselves as manageable databases rather than installing virtual machines. It is possible that in the future, the customer will order SAP directly in the cloud without the need to deal with the virtual machines on which the databases run, and we will rather do an explicit design of the environment.

What do you enjoy about your job?

I'm lucky that my work is also a hobby for me. I'm trying new things, I'm interested in news, I like to dedicate my time to it, so I don't have a problem with work-life balance. At work, I enjoy the fact that it is far from boring. Thanks to the fact that we focus on the cloud in Košice, we receive interesting projects that we are working on.

1. Reducing E-waste: IT companies are known for their rapid innovation cycles, which often lead to the disposal of outdated electronic equipment. To combat this, we are focusing on extending the lifespan of our IT devices - laptops, monitors, keyboards, printers, etc. - through a repair and refurbishment programme.

In 2022, our company (in partnership with AfB company), donated and reprocessed 1.935 pieces of IT and mobile equipment that didn’t end up in landfill, saving 3.7 tonnes of electrical waste. By reusing IT devices, we reduced our carbon footprint by 220 tonnes.

We donated more than 500 laptops to schools, hospitals, and NGOs. In one year, we helped create 20 new computer labs in regional schools and universities. The numbers for 2023 are looking even better compared to last year.

In this way, we are not only reducing e-waste, but also supporting the circular economy by reusing valuable components.

2. Cloud Computing: The cloud has revolutionized IT infrastructure, allowing for more efficient resource utilization. By consolidating data and applications in data centres, we can optimize server usage, leading to a reduction in energy consumption. Our company is also investing in renewable energy to power our data centres, further enhancing our sustainability.

3. Energy efficiency: The energy demands of data centres are substantial. However, DTITSO is investing heavily in improving energy efficiency. This includes purchasing only 100% renewable energy from 2020 onwards, reducing the amount of energy consumed for heating, ventilation and air conditioning of offices. We have set the temperature to 20 degrees and reduced the air flow for ventilation.

We have reduced office space by almost 30% in terms of square meters, which equates to 900 workplaces. By the end of 2024, we plan to reduce office space by 50% of sqm compared to 2020. We have thus reduced the rent and maintenance costs of the building. These efforts not only reduce our carbon footprint, but also save on operational costs.

4. Remote Work and Reduced Carbon Footprint: The shift to remote work, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has been embraced by many IT service companies. This reduces the need for commuting, which, in turn, lowers carbon emissions and supports sustainability goals. Remote work aligns with circular economy principles by reducing resource consumption associated with office spaces.

As part of our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint, in March this year we inaugurated and put into operation the first 10 electric vehicle charging stations. At the same time, we are gradually replacing our car fleet with electric company cars. This gives our employees the opportunity to use the new electric cars and charge them directly at the charging stations that we operate.

In addition, our employees have the opportunity to rent electric scooters as well as classic bicycles. We believe that this move can help raise awareness of environmentally sustainable transport and motivate employees to consider their environmental impact and choose a more environmentally friendly alternative.

5. Green Procurement: Our IT company is increasingly selective in our supply chain choices, favouring suppliers that adhere to sustainable practices. By supporting environmentally responsible suppliers, we are indirectly contributing to a more sustainable and circular economy across our industry.

6. Employee Engagement: Sustainability initiatives are not limited to services and operations. We engage involve our employees in sustainability efforts.

This year, our employees planted 401 trees in the High Tatras, reducing our carbon footprint by 4 tonnes. We also built a new ecosystem - a lake for frogs in a city park in Košice, helping to improve the environment for the benefit of the citizens in Košice. Our employees participated as volunteers who enthusiastically planted plants and made the surroundings of the pond.

These days we are planning to place 2 textile recycling containers in our company premises, where not only our employees will be able to throw in old and unnecessary clothes, which will then be reused or recycled. This will help to reduce material consumption and CO2 emissions in textile production.

Moreover, DTITSO organise awareness campaigns and events for our employees to promote energy saving and recycling, such as Earth Hour, Earth Day, World Environment Day, World Cleanup Day, European Mobility Week, etc.

In conclusion, sustainability and the circular economy are no longer optional for IT companies; they are imperative. By embracing these principles, Deutsche Telekom IT Solutions Slovakia not only reduce its environmental impact but also position itself as a socially responsible company and meet the growing demand for environmentally conscious products and services. As technology continues to evolve, the IT sector's commitment to sustainability ensures that progress doesn't come at the expense of the planet.

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