With recent technological leaps like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, society has never been more technologically advanced. And yet, these remarkable achievements come with huge risks to environmental safety. As AI is implemented into more and more businesses, search engines, and databases around the world, it becomes increasingly crucial that we are aware of the growing importance of reducing environmental impact and improving efficiency on a global scale. While enterprises face many challenges in implementing sustainable IT (managing e-waste, reducing carbon emissions, integrating green technologies, etc.), sustainable growth is attainable, and perhaps no one is more keenly aware of this than Ashish Komal. Who Is Ashish Komal? Ashish is a Solution Architect at a prestigious global accounting firm with over 16 years of experience in IT and digital transformation, and he has been promoting sustainable IT practices for many years. He started his career in the IT industry after completing a BTech in Computer Science and has worked in Digital Transformation ever since, collaborating with clients across the globe to modernize their data centers and transition to high-performance systems and public cloud infrastructures. “My role has always been to design robust systems that ensure the seamless operation of business-critical applications,” Ashish explains. He has been recognized for his leadership in driving IT sustainability and significant contributions to the field with the Indian Achiever Award, the Spot Award, the Bravo Award, and many more. Known for his expertise in cloud computing and digital transformation, Ashish has been instrumental in developing frameworks that facilitate sustainable IT practices. “The creation of a streamlined cloud migration framework is arguably my most important work,” says Ashish. “This tool makes the transition of outdated systems to the cloud environment a much more seamless experience. By offering a transparent, modular process, the framework minimizes the intricacies and potential risks of migrations, allowing customization to meet the unique requirements of diverse organizations.” Sustainable Digital Transformation in the Healthcare Sector During COVID-19 During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ashish led a digital transformation project for a large healthcare enterprise renowned for providing managed healthcare services through Medicaid, Medicare, and the state insurance marketplace, serving approximately 6 million Americans with its locally operated health plans, implementing a robust and energy-efficient cloud-based infrastructure. It is the project he is most proud of. What began as a reasonably straightforward job took on even greater significance as it unfolded during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic when the healthcare industry was under unprecedented strain. The digital transformation of this healthcare enterprise was not just a technological upgrade; it became a critical lifeline for both healthcare providers and patients, with Ashish at the center of it all. As the lead Solution Architect, he was acutely aware of the urgency to deliver a robust, scalable, and secure digital platform. The cloud-based infrastructure and AI capabilities Ashish and his team were implementing had to be fast-tracked without compromising on quality or security, as they were essential for managing member enrollment, benefits administration, provider networks, and claims processing, comparison of health plan performance. The platform’s data analytics tools helped track infection rates, predict hotspots, and manage resources effectively. The AI-driven insights enabled healthcare providers to make quicker, more informed decisions while treating patients affected by the virus. Moreover, the cloud infrastructure allowed for seamless remote collaboration among medical professionals, which was especially crucial during the lockdowns, when in-person consultations were limited. By delivering these services during such a critical time, Ashish and his team not only ensured business continuity for the healthcare enterprise but also contributed to the broader effort of managing the pandemic. The project was a testament to the power of technology in addressing real-world challenges and the role of digital transformation in creating resilient systems that can withstand and adapt to unforeseen crises. The experience made Ashish profoundly aware of the impact work in IT can have on the 6 million of people that the organization provided quality health services to and individuals covered by government programs, especially in times of need. “It was a humbling and empowering moment in my career, reinforcing my commitment to leveraging technology for the greater good.” Even while working under unbelievable stress and pressure to get every detail correct in the shortest time possible, Ashish and his team kept sustainability at the forefront of their work. By successfully integrating cloud infrastructure, the project minimized the carbon footprint by optimizing data processing and enabling remote collaboration, reducing the need for physical infrastructure. Ashish remains incredibly proud of how this project demonstrated the important role of sustainable IT in enhancing business resilience and supporting critical healthcare operations, even during a global crisis. Ashish’s Top Tips for Implementing Sustainable IT Practices Conducting Energy Audits: businesses need to understand their current IT energy usage and identify areas for improvement. Adopting Green Software Development: using energy-efficient coding practices and virtualization to reduce physical server needs can make the work process more efficient and sustainable. Leveraging Cloud Computing: the benefits of cloud migration include reducing energy consumption and improving scalability. Promoting a Culture of Sustainability: when organizations promote a culture that prioritizes sustainability at all levels, from management to technical teams, everyone wins. Along with these, energy efficient hardware, virtualization and cloud computing, green data centers, e-waste managment and many other programs can help with sustainable IT practices.. A Sustainable Future Ashish’s insights and expertise offer valuable guidance for enterprises looking to implement sustainable IT practices. His work exemplifies leveraging technology to achieve business efficiency and environmental responsibility, and he is passionate about further pursuing this work and ensuring that IT and technological innovations like AI and ML do not come at the cost of the environment around us. “In the ever-evolving landscape of IT, my future goals are anchored in the belief that continuous innovation and education are key to driving meaningful change,” Ashish concludes. Ashish Komal aims to create a clear path forward for future generations by advancing cloud education, championing sustainable technology, pioneering healthcare innovation, and cultivating mentorship and leadership development programs in the field. The post Achieving IT Sustainability: Expert Tips for Modern Enterprises From Ashish Komal appeared first on LA Weekly.