Lenovo Touts Channel Partner Momentum, Sustainability Software Updates

Lenovo -- the global PC, server and data center infrastructure provider -- has disclosed multiple sustainability updates involving channel partner engagements and IT management, and lifecycle management software.

Among the takeaways: Roughly 2,000 partners have joined the Lenovo 360 Circle program since it opened to partners in 2023. The program is a sustainability community that "encourages collaboration and accelerates the adoption of sustainable business models and Environmental, Social, and Governance goals across the channel ecosystem," according to a blog from Katelyn Hill, global communications manager for international markets.

Virginie Le Barbu, Lenovo 360 Circle program leader and global sustainability director for international markets at Lenovo, says partners that have joined the community have "found clarity and a sense of true direction amid the complex sustainability environment for businesses," according to the blog.

Key partners mentioned in the blog included ALSO, CDW, Connection, Softcat plc and TD Synnex.

Lenovo: Sustainability Software for and IT Solutions

Meanwhile, Lenovo continues to expand its sustainability-focused software solutions. For instance, the company has launched the Lenovo Intelligent Sustainability Solutions Advisor (LISSA), according to a blog from Mary Jacques, executive director, global ESG & regulatory compliance, Lenovo.

The LISSA software gives customers "actionable sustainability insights to understand their estimated emissions impact across their IT lifecycle and deploy customized solutions that align with their sustainability goals," Jacques wrote.

Moreover, LISSA integrates with sustainability solutions such as TruScale Device as a Service (DaaS), Asset Recovery, packaging efficiencies, lower-carbon shipping options, lifecycle extensions, certified refurbishment, and more, the company said.

We don't know if LISSA is multi-tenant for Lenovo partners and MSPs that want to manage multiple customers from a single dashboard.

Lenovo AI for All Strategy

The channel partner program milestones and software updates surface roughly six months after Lenovo in October 2023 unveiled and AI for All strategy. That AI effort aligns closely with the company's sustainability strategy. Take a closer look, and the Lenovo's Solutions and Services Group (SSG) offers:

• An AI Professional Services Practice, in collaboration with NVIDIA, to help "customers fast track AI implementation from concept to results."
• Care of One Platform, an AI-powered solution that "provides insights and support to help companies create the optimal work environment and enhance employee experience and productivity."
• Sustainability AI Engine, which helps "companies visualize the influence of business choices that could impact their sustainability objectives and choose the best sustainability options to achieve their desired outcome."

Hardware, AI and Sustainability: What's Next?

Within its own business, Lenovo has committed to net-zero emissions by 2050. Key rivals -- such as Apple, Cisco Systems, Dell Technologies, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and HP Inc. -- also have high-profile sustainability efforts involving channel partners under way.

Still, sustainability partner programs face various business challenges. In many cases, channel partners may view sustainability as a cost center rather than a potential profit center fed by consulting, IT asset management (ITAM), e-waste reduction, and managed energy services.

A Canalys research report, issued in mid-2023, explains how channel partners are addressing sustainability at differing rates across Europe, North America and other regions.

Meanwhile, some IT service providers and consulting firms appear to be ahead of the curve -- or at least setting a rapid pace -- with their sustainability services rollouts. Examples include MSP industry veterans at 1E, ESG Global, Evercycle, Kyndryl, Logicalis US, PC Powersave, ScalePad and TD Synnex.

Also of note: Global IT consulting firms that have MSP arms continue to expand their sustainability and ESG practices -- despite some ESG pushback from some conservative circles in the United States. Examples in the market include Accenture, Deloitte, EY, KPMG, NTT, PwC and Capgemini.

Related: Here's how MSPs can help CIOs to address sustainability priorities.