How SmartFrame controls, measures, and optimizes its carbon footprint
No unnecessary storage
The concept of image streaming relies on the temporary publication of images from a centralized asset-storage system. A single master version of an image is served to multiple users and devices, and this is always streamed from the same source. This ensures the image is only processed, resized, and cached once.
This approach is markedly different from conventional methods of online image distribution, where published images can be edited and saved across multiple computers and servers, resulting in numerous unnecessary duplicates.
Intelligent scaling in the cloud
The SmartFrame cloud infrastructure is serverless and operates with an autoscaling algorithm. Additional resources are allocated when demand increases, ensuring sufficient capacity to meet the service's needs during peak usage.
This means the processing engine receives greater CPU power when many images are uploaded simultaneously. If SmartFrame experiences a traffic peak, additional bandwidth is provided to key front-end services. The infrastructure is automatically scaled back as soon as demand is reduced.
Eliminating unnecessary data transfer
SmartFrame identifies the resolution of a user’s display and determines whether it is a HiDPI or Retina device, which feature higher pixel densities than standard displays. This information is used to select the best match from cached assets, which is then streamed to the user’s browser. This ensures only the data necessary to display the image at the required resolution is transferred.
SmartFrame images employ WebP compression, which reduces file sizes by 25–34% compared to standard JPEG compression. Images are loaded only when at least 10% of the frame is visible, while full-screen and Hyper Zoom views are activated only upon user request.
Fewer ads – but higher in quality
SmartFrame seamlessly integrates into webpages, presenting high-quality, interactive images alongside articles or other content. Once targeting criteria from advertisers and publishers are matched, an overlay appears on the image to display an ad for several seconds.
Unlike traditional advertising formats, SmartFrame does not require dedicated ad space on the page. If no high-quality ad is available, users simply enjoy the image without interruption. Additionally, an adjustable frequency-capping algorithm prevents excessive ad displays, maintaining an excellent user experience.
SmartFrame avoids low-value placeholder or backfill ads and minimizes reliance on programmatic ad networks. By prioritizing quality over quantity and tailoring direct campaigns, it reduces heavy traffic from programmatic exchanges, conserving energy for its publishing partners.