How does maintenance influence the sustainability of digital operations?

This paper explores how maintenance influences the sustainability of digital operations within supply chain management. Maintenance is seen as a critical component influencing the sustainability of digital operations due to it ensuring reliability, longevity and efficiency in hardware and software systems. Effective maintenance strategies extend the lifecycle of infrastructure, reducing the frequency of equipment replacement, which can have a significant environmental cost due to waste and the resource-intensive processes required for manufacturing and disposal (Chiravuri, Feroz, & Zo, 2021). This paper also makes specific reference to Mphilo Milling, a SME developed in 2006. Mphilo Milling currently faces scalability, supply chain and barrier to entry challenges. Although it has automated it’s milling process it is still limited in its output, producing between three to six hundred tons per month. The dilemma identified is how Mphilo Milling can scale and become sustainable through digitalising operations and the maintenance thereof. Through the adoption of digital technologies and the revisualisation of operations, businesses can increase operational efficiency, improve the customer experience and drive innovation. The use of data analytics (predictive and prescriptive), machine learning, AI and IoT can revolutionize the operation of Mphilo Milling.(Eyo-Udo, Ogundipe, Ololade, & Onesi-Ozigagun, 2024). The maintenance of the above-mentioned technologies can improve energy efficiency, as modern updates often include energy-saving enhancements. For example, optimized software and hardware management, such as server load balancing and energy-efficient protocols, contribute to reduced power consumption across data centres. This leads to decreased carbon emissions and aligns digital operations with broader sustainability goals, such as carbon neutrality and resource conservation. Proactive maintenance also strengthens cybersecurity, mitigating the risk of breaches and downtime that can result in costly data recovery and excessive resource use. Furthermore, predictive maintenance, facilitated by data analytics and AI, enhances sustainability by allowing organizations to pre-emptively address potential failures. This predictive approach helps to reduce both operational interruptions and the need for emergency repairs or replacements, thereby conserving resources and reducing waste. The influence of maintenance on digital sustainability is multi-faceted: it reduces environmental impact, enhances energy efficiency, and improves operational resilience. Organizations adopting comprehensive maintenance practices not only reduce costs but also contribute to global sustainability efforts by decreasing the environmental footprint of digital operations. In essence, maintenance transforms digital infrastructure from a potential environmental burden into a sustainable asset, underscoring its critical role in the digital age.