Innovation

3Step IT is a Finnish company offering an innovative solution for the sustainable management of IT assets, contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Their approach is to offer IT equipment rental services to businesses, enabling them to optimize their use of devices such as computers and tablets. This makes a significant contribution to reducing e-waste, a key issue for SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

The innovation lies in the way 3Step IT promotes the circularity of IT equipment. Rather than throwing away obsolete assets, companies can rent them out, extending their useful life. This reduces the pressure on natural resources used to manufacture new equipment and limits the amount of e-waste generated, which is essential to achieving SDG 12. What's more, by offering an economically viable solution, 3Step IT is encouraging businesses to adopt more sustainable practices, thereby meeting the sustainable development goals of responsible consumption and production.

This innovation from 3Step IT shows how businesses can play a major role in achieving the SDGs by offering sustainable solutions that help to reduce environmental impacts and promote more responsible consumption patterns.

Inspiration

The inspiration behind the innovation that led to the founding of 3Step IT was the game-changing idea of reusing IT equipment at a time when the idea of a 'circular economy' didn't even exist. This innovative approach delivered an entirely new business model centered around the three-step IT lifecycle: acquisition, management, and replacement. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, this future-oriented commitment to sustainability made 3Step IT pioneers in the field, setting them apart from traditional IT asset management approaches.

With digitization, work changed radically all over the world ­– computers were needed everywhere. Large companies needed a lot of them, they had to be replaced regularly and, in many countries, electronics are not recycled much even today. However, IT equipment that is a couple of years old is, after refurbishment, a well-functioning option for schools, public entities, or smaller companies, for example. With the help of 3Step IT innovation, it was possible to connect these points. The circular economy, which is an essential part of the business, is also spreading abroad with growth, where the processing of electronic waste is not quite at the same level as in the Nordic countries.

As 3Step IT has a “competitive advantage on what they already have built” it is comfortable for them to explore new fields where their business model could be applied. 3Step IT's business is based on passionate work and constantly learning new things. With forward-looking, responsible operations, they aim to plant the circular economy as a permanent part of the global community.

Overall impact

The innovation brought about by 3Step IT has had remarkable short- and long-term effects, making a significant contribution to environmental and economic sustainability. In the short term, this innovation has enabled businesses to manage their IT assets more effectively. Thanks to its unique rental model, businesses can extend the life of their IT equipment, reducing electronic waste. This translates into an immediate reduction in pressure on landfill sites and lower operational costs.

In the long term, the impact of this innovation extends to the environmental sphere. By extending the life of IT equipment, 3Step IT helps to reduce the demand for new resources, thereby reducing the pressure on the extraction of raw materials and the production of electronic devices. This has a direct effect on reducing carbon emissions, helping the transition to a more sustainable economy.

The evidence of these impacts lies in the data and trends observed over the years. Companies using 3Step IT's services have seen short-term cost savings through more efficient management of their IT assets. In addition, over the long term, the company has published data showing a significant reduction in environmental impact through reduced electronic waste. The company's own sustainability reports, as well as positive feedback from its customers, attest to these tangible results.

In summary, 3Step IT's innovation has had a significant impact in the short term by reducing operating costs for businesses and in the long term by contributing to a more sustainable economy. Empirical data and customer testimonials support these positive impacts.

Business benefit

Innovation in technology management, such as that offered by 3Step IT, brings many benefits to businesses. Firstly, it enables better cost management. By opting for an equipment lifecycle management model, companies can better control their technology spending. This includes the ability to forecast long-term costs, optimize IT budgets and minimize the hidden costs of maintaining and disposing of obsolete equipment. For example, by avoiding the need to purchase new equipment every three years, a company can save up to 30% of its annual technology operating costs.

Secondly, this innovation contributes to environmental sustainability. By extending the life of technological equipment through reuse and refurbishment, businesses reduce their environmental footprint. Less electronic waste is generated, which promotes responsible resource management. This can also enhance a company's reputation as an environmentally conscious player.

Finally, innovation in technology management improves operational efficiency. It ensures that employees have the equipment they need to maintain their productivity. By monitoring the condition of equipment and updating it when necessary, businesses can minimize downtime and interruptions caused by faulty equipment. This optimizes performance and maintains business continuity.

In summary, innovation in technology management, such as that offered by 3Step IT, brings significant benefits to businesses, including more effective cost management, increased environmental responsibility and improved operational efficiency. These benefits contribute to the long-term growth and sustainability of businesses in an ever-changing business environment.

Social and environmental benefit

3Step IT's innovation has significant benefits for society and the environment. Firstly, it helps to reduce electronic waste, a major global problem. In 2020, the International Energy Agency estimated that the world generated around 53.6 million tons of electronic waste, and this figure is still rising. By extending the life of IT equipment, 3Step IT is helping to reduce the amount of e-waste. In 2020, the company saved 88,000 tons of CO2 by reusing IT equipment.

What's more, this innovation promotes a more sustainable use of resources. According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), manufacturing a laptop requires around 240 kg of fossil fuels, 22 kg of chemicals and 1,500 kg of water. By extending the life of these devices, 3Step IT reduces the demand for new resources and contributes to a more efficient use of materials. Finally, 3Step IT's innovation has a positive social impact by creating jobs. In 2020, the company employed more than 370 people worldwide. It has also created a network of business partners, helping to develop the local economy. This innovation demonstrates how the private sector can play an active role in promoting sustainable practices while stimulating economic growth and job creation.

In short, 3Step IT's innovation brings tangible benefits to society by reducing electronic waste, promoting more sustainable use of resources and creating employment opportunities. It is a concrete example of how businesses can make a significant contribution to the United Nations' sustainable development goals and to protecting the environment.

Interview

Mira Kariola, Head of communication and marketing