Netstream Believes the Best Way to Predict the Future Is to Shape It

“As we only have one planet and it is a very diverse and magical one, we need to take all actions and steps to save it for future generations. We need to fix now what past generations did to the environment without knowing.” — Reto Kasser, CTO of Netstream

Founded in 1998, Zurich-based Netstream provides the channel, and the value-added resellers comprising it, that enterprises need to stay connected in today’s fast-paced business environment. Operating two data centers in Switzerland, the company employs nearly 40 IT and cloud experts.

We recently connected with Reto Kasser, Netstream’s CTO, to learn more about the company’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, the motivation behind them, and what it means to be part of the VMware Zero Carbon Committed initiative. But first we asked Kasser what he wants people to know about Netstream’s sustainability efforts.

“We believe in doing our best to create a dynamic where people live in harmony with nature and technology,” he says. “Every person needs to act and do their best to foster more sustainable practices not just in their work, but in their daily lives. We only have one planet to live on, and we must give our best to save it. It’s our hope that each one of our employees and all of our partners commit to their own points of action and in that way make a difference.”

In 2018, Netstream made the decision to operate its data centers solely on renewable sources of energy. Notably, both centers serve a growing number of companies across industries that depend on Netstream’s cloud services and solutions to be more effective and to free them to focus on core competencies.

“We distribute our services exclusively through our mission partners who are ideally qualified to address the need for cloud offerings that are synonymous with business success,” adds Kasser. “We pride ourselves on providing resellers with everything they need to deliver exceptional value to companies doing business in Switzerland.”

Some of the many bespoke services and solutions Netstream offers include a virtual data center, full Infrastructure-as-a-Service, Backup and Recovery-as-a-Service, and Storage-as-a-Service. It has also unveiled a portfolio around Kubernetes-as-a-Service using fully managed VMware Tanzu.

Committed to being as environmentally friendly as possible

“The very nature of the cloud is a step in the right direction,” adds Kasser. “A virtual data center is almost always far more environmentally friendly than a physical one, particularly when you are talking about medium-sized enterprises like many of those we ultimately serve. But that puts even more of an onus on the industry – and all of us at Netstream – to make the facilities that deliver those virtual services as environmentally friendly as possible.”

Kasser notes that today both of Netstream’s data centers and its corporate offices operate solely on solar power. The company also created innovative cooling systems that enable energy-free cooling once the outside temperature reaches 16 degrees Celsius or 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

“In addition to the gains we’ve made by powering our data centers with solar power and radically reducing the use of power for cooling, we’ve taken a number of additional steps,” he says. “These include decreasing paper use by 80%, planting hundreds of trees, and even building plant walls that purify our office environment. And we have fun. This year we began sponsoring young beekeepers who are bringing sustainable practices to that important tradition.”

Not surprisingly, Kasser is optimistic about the future, determined to do more to further Netstream’s efforts to lessen its carbon footprint.

“The best way to predict the future is to shape it,” he says. “We are investing a lot of time in our work to achieve continuous improvements, and being part of this important effort created by VMware is something we are very thankful for. As we only have one planet and it is a very diverse and magical one, we need to take all actions and steps to save it for future generations. We need to fix now what past generations did to the environment without knowing. We can all be part of that change.”

Learn more about Netstream and its partnership with VMware here.