Cisco's First Sustainability Partner of the Year: Logicalis (Here's Why)

Most MSPs have yet to launch sustainable IT services. But some big MSPs and IT consultancies are charting the path forward.

The latest proof point involves Logicalis, a global technology service provider that was named Cisco Systems' Sustainability Partner of the Year for 2023. This is the first year that Cisco has presented the award.

The inaugural award "recognizes Logicalis' outstanding sustainability performance and success in helping customers reduce the environmental impact of their IT infrastructure across the globe," the two companies said.

Logicalis Expands Into Sustainable Digital Managed Services

Logicalis has more than 7,000 employees and 10,000 customers worldwide. The IT service provider generated roughly $1.7 billion in revenue during fiscal year 2021. The company is a division of Datatec -- an international provider of ICT (information and communication technology) solutions and services.

Cisco launched its Environmental Sustainability Specialization for partners in early 2023. Fast forward to November 2023, and Logicalis holds that designation in 15 territories around the world. Key Cisco-powered services that Logicalis offers includes:

• Responsible recycling and repurposing of end-of-use equipment by customers such as GJames in Australia;
• smart building solutions that maximize energy and resource efficiency for customers such as UKRI in the United Kingdom; and
• a Digital Fabric Platform that enables "customers to measure and reduce the environmental impact of their IT infrastructure."

Those bullet points surfaced in a press release from Cisco and Logicalis.

Cisco Sustainability Partner of the Year for 2023: Executive Perspectives

In a prepared statement about multiple Cisco partner awards that the MSP won, Logicalis CEO Robert Bailkoski said: "Over the past 12 months, our goal was to create meaningful change for our industry as we focused on driving sustainable outcomes for customers through our managed connectivity services. It's a privilege for those efforts to be recognised with the awards of Global Partner of the Year for Sustainability and Global Enterprise Networking and Meraki Partner of the Year for the second consecutive year. These accolades reaffirm our commitment to facilitating sustainable business outcomes for our customers moving forward."

Added Jeff Sharritts, EVP and chief customer and partner officer at Cisco: "The theme at Partner Summit 2023 is 'Greater Together' and our Partner Summit Global Award winners are fantastic examples of our shared success and the power of partnering," said Jeff Sharritts, EVP and Chief Customer and Partner Officer at Cisco. "Congratulations to Logicalis for being Global Sustainability Partner of the Year and Global Enterprise Networking and Meraki Partner of the Year Award 2023. You have demonstrated your ability to deliver outstanding results, respond to customers' challenges, and lead in a dynamic competitive landscape."

Concluded Nick Holden, VP of global and strategic partners & co-sell at Cisco: "Logicalis is defining the future of sustainable digital managed services and empowering customers to reduce their carbon emissions. Partners like Logicalis are critical to building a more sustainable future and we look forward to continuing to grow our strong partnership."

IT Service Providers: Who's Focused on Sustainable IT Services?

Generally speaking, Logicalis appears to be ahead of IT services pack in the sustainability market. Indeed, 55% of North America partners and 48% of Latin America partners are not yet tracking sustainability KPIs (key performance indicators) for customers, according to Canalys research.

Meanwhile, Cisco is working with multiple partners on the sustainable IT services front. For instance, NTT and Cisco are partnering to promote IoT (Internet of Things) as a service capabilities that help customers meet their sustainability goals.

Some of Cisco's enterprise technology rivals also are building sustainability partner programs and/or introducing sustainability tools. Examples include HP Enterprise, HP Inc. and IBM, just to name a few.

Related: Track Cisco's overall sustainability strategy and milestones here.