Leading with Sustainability: Agility Technologies’ Commitment to a Greener Future

At Agility Technologies, we believe that sustainable practices are crucial not only for the planet but for creating resilient, innovative, and impactful technology solutions. In an era where environmental responsibility is essential, we are committed to embedding sustainable practices across our operations, projects, and partnerships. Our approach to sustainability goes beyond regulatory compliance; it’s about pioneering new ways to create long-term value for our clients, employees, and communities.

Why Sustainability Matters in Technology Solutions

Sustainability and technology are intrinsically linked. As we develop technology solutions for federal agencies and the public sector, we recognize the importance of aligning our practices with the environmental goals of our clients and society. Sustainable technology solutions contribute to energy efficiency, reduce waste, and support the responsible use of resources. By prioritizing sustainability, we help our clients make a positive environmental impact while maximizing operational efficiency and minimizing costs.

Agility’s Approach to Sustainable Technology Solutions

Our sustainability-focused thought leadership is driven by a comprehensive approach that encompasses environmental stewardship, responsible innovation, and collaboration with eco-conscious partners. This approach guides how we design, develop, and deploy solutions, ensuring that each project contributes to a more sustainable future.

1. Green Cloud Computing and Data Management

   Cloud computing can significantly reduce the environmental footprint of IT systems. By migrating clients from legacy, on-premises systems to cloud platforms like Salesforce and AWS, we help reduce the need for physical infrastructure, leading to lower energy consumption and carbon emissions. Our cloud solutions enable clients to scale resources as needed, further optimizing energy use and reducing waste associated with over-provisioning.

   • Example: In our work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 1-OCIO Customer Service Portal, we leveraged cloud-based solutions to consolidate multiple legacy systems, enhancing efficiency and reducing physical data storage needs. This transition streamlined USDA’s technology stack, minimized the environmental impact of data management, and enabled sustainable scaling.

2. Optimizing Digital Workflows to Reduce Paper and Waste
   

   Digital transformation is central to our mission, and we’re committed to helping our clients reduce paper-based processes. Through the use of digital forms, automated workflows, and electronic signatures, we significantly reduce paper usage, contributing to conservation efforts while improving data accuracy and security.

   • Example: In our Disaster Loan Assistance Portal (DLAP) project for the Small Business Administration (SBA), we implemented paperless loan processing, replacing traditional paper workflows with digital tools. This transformation allowed SBA to serve millions of users efficiently while minimizing waste and aligning with sustainable practices.

3. Eco-Friendly Software Development Practices
   

   At Agility, we employ eco-friendly software development practices, including efficient code design, reusable components, and optimized data structures. These practices reduce the computational load required to run applications, leading to lower energy consumption and a reduced environmental footprint. Additionally, we prioritize low-code and modular design approaches to streamline development and minimize the resources needed for future updates.

   • Example: In our work with the National Science Foundation (NSF) Convergence Accelerator (C-Accel) project, we used low-code technology to rapidly develop and deploy features with minimal resource usage, reducing both the time and energy spent in development.

4. Promoting Remote Work and Digital Collaboration
   

   Agility fosters a culture of remote work and digital collaboration, which not only supports work-life balance but also reduces carbon emissions associated with commuting. By leveraging virtual meetings, cloud-based project management tools, and secure remote access, we ensure our teams and clients can collaborate effectively without the environmental impact of travel.

   • Example: Through our use of Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and Jira, we have successfully reduced on-site meeting requirements for our teams and clients, facilitating seamless project collaboration and reducing the carbon footprint associated with in-person meetings.

5. Supporting Clients’ Sustainability Goals
   

   Many of our federal clients have ambitious sustainability goals. We work closely with them to align our solutions with these objectives, providing insights and recommendations on how technology can support their environmental commitments. By building customizable dashboards and data analytics tools, we enable clients to track and report on their sustainability efforts, helping them achieve transparency and accountability.

   • Example: For the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) Insight platform, we implemented data management and integration solutions that improve resource efficiency and reduce redundant processes. This project supported DFC’s goal of leveraging sustainable technology to enhance operational capabilities and better serve communities.

Our Sustainability Goals for the Future

As we continue to drive sustainable practices within Agility, we are focused on setting measurable goals and achieving tangible outcomes. Our primary sustainability goals for the coming years include:

1. Expanding Cloud and Digital Transformation Solutions
   We will continue to help clients migrate to cloud-based and digital solutions that support sustainable practices, aiming to complete 10 additional cloud transformation projects by the end of 2024.
2. Reducing Physical Waste in Office Operations
   We are committed to achieving a paperless office environment by implementing digital document management tools and recycling programs, aiming for a 90% reduction in paper usage by 2025.
3. Partnering with Sustainable Vendors
   To ensure our supply chain aligns with our environmental goals, we will prioritize partnerships with vendors who share our commitment to sustainability, especially those who use renewable resources and eco-friendly practices.

Inspiring Industry-Wide Change

Agility is dedicated to setting a positive example for our industry and encouraging other technology firms to embrace sustainability. Through thought leadership, industry partnerships, and community outreach, we hope to inspire organizations across sectors to prioritize environmental stewardship and adopt sustainable technology practices.

As part of this commitment, we actively participate in forums, conferences, and thought leadership panels to share our insights on sustainable technology solutions. We believe that through collaboration and shared best practices, the technology sector can collectively make a meaningful difference for the environment.

Join Us on Our Sustainability Journey

At Agility Technologies, we are proud to lead the way in integrating sustainability into technology solutions and business practices. Our journey is ongoing, and we are committed to continuous improvement in our sustainability efforts. By working together with our clients, partners, and employees, we aim to build a greener, more sustainable future for everyone.

To learn more about our sustainability initiatives or explore ways we can support your organization’s environmental goals, please contact Rebecca Parker at [email protected].