Platform Login
Book a Demo
Logo-Seerene-White
Platform Login
Book a Demo

From Awareness to Action: Bernard F. Kraft on Sustainability in Software Development

Oliver Viel
Jan 31, 2025 3:17:01 PM

At the recent Softwareproduktion & Sustainability executive summit, Bernard F. Kraft, Chief Architect at ERGO Group, captivated his audience with a candid and reflective talk on the intersections of sustainability, software production, and the future of digital architecture. In a world where technology rapidly evolves, Kraft’s down-to-earth observations shed light on the steps enterprises and IT leaders can take to align innovation with environmental responsibility.

Bernhard F. Kraft ERGO Group 2000x1333

A Personal Sustainability Journey: From Realization to Responsibility

Kraft’s presentation began with a personal anecdote about his evolving relationship with sustainability. He humorously acknowledged that, despite advocating for change, his actions often fell short of his ideals. This honesty—combined with relatable examples of daily life, such as his reliance on travel and multiple devices—helped ground his message in real-world experiences shared by many in IT leadership.

But it wasn’t just personal reflection that drove Kraft to explore the topic of sustainable software production. It was the realization that insurance companies, like ERGO, operate entirely within a digital framework—making IT their core product. Unlike industries producing tangible goods, the digital world offers a unique challenge: how to measure and mitigate the environmental impact of software development itself.

Sustainability as Strategy: IT’s Role in Driving Change

According to Kraft, sustainability is more than a moral imperative—it’s a strategic necessity for IT leaders shaping the future of business. He highlighted a thought-provoking point: technology’s relentless pace of advancement ensures that energy consumption from software and data processing will only increase. His expectation management is clear: rather than seeking to eliminate energy use, the goal is to minimize its footprint through smarter choices and innovative solutions.

Among these solutions, Kraft champions the move to cloud computing. He argues that cloud services, when managed responsibly by hyperscalers like Microsoft and Amazon, offer a far more sustainable alternative to on-premises data centers. By leveraging economies of scale, advanced cooling technologies, and optimized hardware cycles, cloud infrastructure can significantly reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.

However, Kraft is quick to caution against complacency. Transferring responsibility to cloud providers does not absolve enterprises from asking hard questions:

  • How sustainable are the cloud services we’re using?
  • Are data centers truly optimized for energy efficiency?
  • Can heat and energy from these centers be reused to benefit surrounding communities?

Efficiency Begins at Home: The Case for Sustainable Software Practices

One of the standout moments in Kraft’s talk was his analysis of code complexity and machine learning efficiency. He presented a provocative thesis: machine learning models should be “good enough” rather than endlessly optimized, as each additional cycle of training demands significant energy resources. His point underscores a broader need for thoughtful trade-offs between performance and sustainability.

Kraft also touched on legacy systems and computation-heavy processes, such as financial close simulations, that previously required significant resources. Moving these processes to the cloud reduced execution time from 36 hours to just 30 minutes. Yet, this transformation came with a lesson in cost-awareness: more accessible resources can lead to unintended overuse if users aren’t aware of the financial and environmental impact.

A Call to Arms for IT Talent and Collaboration

The shortage of skilled architects and engineers poses another sustainability challenge. Kraft’s reflection on open job positions—both at ERGO and across the industry—highlighted a critical need for attracting diverse talent into IT. He pointed out that excluding half of the population (women) from technology careers limits innovation and growth. Encouraging broader participation is not only a diversity initiative but also a sustainability imperative.

Additionally, Kraft emphasized the importance of industry-wide collaboration, calling for more partnerships to share best practices and develop sustainable solutions. Pilots like the one ERGO is conducting with Seerene in Poland illustrate how focused efforts can yield actionable insights. Sharing these insights broadly will help create a ripple effect that transforms the software industry as a whole.

Sustainability in Software: A Long-Term Perspective

Kraft’s closing thoughts offered a dose of realism: there are no simple answers to sustainability in software. However, he remains optimistic. The opportunities to reduce energy consumption, optimize resource usage, and influence cloud providers are vast. By fostering a culture of awareness and responsibility, IT leaders can make meaningful progress. His message is clear—sustainability in software isn’t just a fleeting trend; it’s an ongoing journey that requires sustained effort and a willingness to innovate.

The Software Excellence Network

The Software Excellence Network is a dynamic community of IT leaders, professors, and decision-makers committed to shaping the future of software development. By fostering collaboration, sharing best practices, and advancing innovative strategies, the network empowers members to achieve excellence in large-scale software production, enhance sustainability, and drive transformative business outcomes.

A Note to Our Readers: This article offers an overview of the key ideas presented by Bernard F. Kraft during his talk. While we’ve captured the main concepts and innovations he shared, the full scope of his insights and examples is best experienced by watching the entire session below. For any questions or further information, feel free to reach out to us.

 

You May Also Like

These Stories on Events/Webinars