Scotland is a green outsourcing nation!
The citizens of Scotland like to moan about how wet and windy the weather is, but sometimes it can have its advantages. Whilst some countries suffer from heat-waves, the humble Scottish are usually experiencing damp and moist conditions which aren’t always great for humans but they can have benefits in storing computers. Yes, the fact that the Scottish temperature is a couple of degrees cooler than their London counterparts is more than enough to make a huge difference in the cost of storing a lot of computers or servers. This is due to the fact that these appliances are prone to overheating and need to be constantly monitored and the temperature will have an effect on how quickly they warm up. This cost benefit has led many firms to consider using Scotland for their computer storage centers and has positively impacted on Scotland’s ability to outsource.
Of course, a wet and windy climate also provides ample opportunity to make the most from alternative sources of power and energy and this is also something that is making Scotland look far more attractive to firms from other countries. There is an obvious need for many firms to show that they have a “green” or environmental outlook on life and being able to use outsourcing suppliers which have access to alternative sources of energy is a fantastic PR boost. The minimum wage that is paid in Scotland may not be as low as the equivalent wages in countries in Asia but for the overall benefits that will come to a firm, it is apparent why Scotland is a key outsourcing partner.
The best example of this comes from the plans submitted by ‘Lockerbie Data Centres’ which really goes the extra mile with regards to environmentally friendly plans. The company hopes to harness the power from wind farms situated close to their center and in return, they propose they would be able to use the heat built up in their data center to provide a source of renewable energy for over 700 local homes. This is a perfect example of giving something back to the community and would be considered a great PR boost for anyone needing to extend their “green” credentials.
Add to that the fact there has been a definite move to IT training and ensuring large swathes of the population have computer skills and it is all to noticeable that Scotland is perfectly suited to offer computer services to firms and this is something many developers in Scotland are keen to take advantage of. There is currently a group of developers and investors looking to create new centers in Scotland at various locations throughout the nation. Some are keen to develop in the Borders area, and this will benefit from being situated close to England. Others are keen to move to the Highlands in order to use the breathtaking scenery and quieter pace of life to attract foreign companies to Scotland. The beauty about Scotland is that it is a small country and it is quite easy to comfortably travel its length in a day by road. It may not be something that you would wish to do every day but it is certainly an option and this means that outsourcing to Scotland is an extremely viable option which could bring benefits to many countries.
