Vendor Collaboration and Circular Design
Intilitys Network Services revolve around hardware and equipment, as network and connectivity relies on physical infrastructure. The equipment is provided by vendors from different countries, shipped in protective, and somewhat extensive packaging. Intility has been collaborating with Cisco, one of their main hardware providers, throughout 2023 and 2024 on one particular initiative – optimization of packaging design.
Previously, Intility has identified hardware models where packaging and accessories seemingly have been abundantly designed. Intilitys has suggested specific improvements, which were met by collaborative mindsets at Cisco. In a fruitful collaboration, enabled by the Cisco Manufacturing team, 5 products have gotten their packaging re-designed. This updated design has given various positive effects, such as replacing foam with circular corrugate material, a reduced carbon footprint per unit and reduced package size, enabling 20% more units shipped per pallet.
Changes in bag usage
A practical example showcasing the design changes is the updated packaging of the Catalyst 9300 Switch. A significant number of separate plastic bags has now been reduced to a more practical number of bags, easily identified as they are gathered in one paper bag. License and product information on paper sheets have been replaced by QR codes directing to a website with the necessary license and product information.
Changes in Packaging
Another rewarding update is the redesign of the Cisco 8200 router packaging. Firstly, the optimized design now makes it possible to ship 20% more units per pallet due to its reduced volume. In addition, 307 grams of foam is reduced, replaced by protective cardboard. This gives an overall benefit of 0.309 kg CO2e removed per unit.
Models with Updated Packaging Design
Renewed Lifecycle Policy
Another realization in the sustainability domain has been the condition of hardware such as switches and routers when being lifecycled. The End-of-Life (EoL) dates are what drives the process, and until 2023, the End-of-Software-Maintenance has been the lifecycle due date for Intility. However, in the majority of cases, the units show good health and physical condition when being replaced. The key drivers behind the lifecycle policy have been investigated, considering statistics such as time to expected hardware failure and software update frequency.
The conclusion, supported by Ciscos newly prolonged End-of-Vulnerability/Security-Support date, is that the policy should be updated towards the Last-Date-of-Support. This provides us with an extra 2–3 years of operating time on network equipment, offering both economic and sustainable benefits.
The Lifecycle Process
The lifecycle process involves continuously updating, upgrading, and replacing equipment that reaches critical dates defined by End-of-Life (EOL) announcements from the equipment provider. This is to ensure that equipment has the necessary functionality, performance and operational stability, while also maintaining security.
For further explanation of EOL, see Cisco’s website.
Benefits of the New Policy
- The network platform will reduce its carbon footprint by approximately 50,000 kg CO2e per year (30%), excl. footprints from operational phase.
- With fewer lifecycle projects, approximately 0.5 man-years will be freed up, collectively for Intility and companies on the platform.
- Expenses related to equipment investements are reduced by about 30% annually.
