Every piece of IT equipment has a lifespan, whether that is because it is no longer of use to your business, or because it no longer functions as it should. However, just because an IT asset has reached its end of life, that is not to say it doesn’t still hold value. Reselling unwanted IT equipment is a great alternative to simply disposing of it. Not only does it minimise your contribution to the global issue of e-waste, it also means you can offset the costs involved with an overhaul of your data centre. There are a number of ways in which you can yield value from your used computer equipment and hard drives, but in order to capture maximum value from your used IT equipment, it is important that you take the correct steps.
Choose a reputable ITAD provider
The first and foremost step in your IT asset disposition journey is choosing a trustworthy ITAD service provider that offers a remarketing service. These service providers will guide you through all stages of the resale process to achieve maximum return on your investments. You should choose an ITAD supplier that holds certifications for its services and has experience in your industry. Of course, ITAD suppliers come at a cost, but their services are invaluable when it comes to capturing the maximum value on your used IT equipment. Most suppliers offer a free quote on their services, giving you the chance to compare the price against what is included as part of the remarketing service. Consider whether transportation and data erasure come as standard, or if there are any additional costs to factor in.
Data Erasure
Data erasure on your old equipment isn’t just about peace of mind. It’s also necessary to comply with data protection laws and to ensure data security. Before you even consider the resale market value of your redundant IT equipment, you should wipe your devices of any data. The necessary data erasure process will vary depending on the device in question. While a standard data wipe may work with some of your devices, other IT equipment, such as solid state drives (SSDs), may require physical data destruction like shredding or degaussing. Your ITAD provider will advise you on the best method for data destruction, issuing a certificate of data destruction to guarantee data security.
Monitoring potential buyers
In order to yield maximum value from your unwanted IT equipment, it’s also vital that you identify the correct buyer. This is about more than looking at who will give you the highest price when you decide to buy, but rather monitoring the market over a long period of time to understand supply and demand in different markets. Of course, this is difficult for most small to medium-sized enterprises, which is where your ITAD supplier can help. Not only do these companies have years of experience to help understand market demand, they also have the benefit of strong relationships with buyers. As a result, your ITAD supplier will understand the IT needs and expectations of their contacts, as well as when they are likely to need a certain hard drive or computer system. This means that, not only will you know who to sell to, you will know the optimal time to sell your old assets. What’s more, the existing sense of trust between the ITAD supplier and the potential buyer is invaluable as it can mean a smoother, hassle-free sale for both parties.
Consider refurbishment
Even when you’re planning an upgrade of your IT equipment, it may be worth refurbishing some assets to get the maximum resale value. Repairing before you sell increases the amount someone will pay for your equipment, as they won’t need to consider the price or effort of repairing a device before they are able to use it – convenience is valuable.
Sell as a whole asset
You may read about maximising value by splitting your IT hardware into different components, but this is rarely the case. In fact, items are usually most valuable when sold in their entirety. The same goes for when it comes to splitting up items in your data centre. Most reputable ITAD service providers advise selling items in bulk, especially for one-off upgrades, to help you get the most return on your investment in the service.
While these steps may seem fairly straightforward, they are essential when it comes to getting the best return on your unwanted IT assets. The UK’s best ITAD service providers will offer comprehensive remarketing services and, while the quoted cost will play a role in your decision making, it should not be the only deciding factor – experience and resale networks are also of high importance, as they can significantly affect your potential returns.
Whether you’re planning an upgrade for your desktop PCs, or an overhaul of your entire data centre, you’ll want to get the maximum return for your unwanted equipment. With over 25 years industry experience, tier1 is perfectly placed to help you capture the maximum value for your used IT equipment.
As the UK’s most accredited ITAD supplier, we possess the skills, accreditations and experience to handle our clients’ data with the care they deserve, and to dispose of it responsibility and legally. Contact us today on 0161 777 1000 or visit https://www.tier1.com to find out how we can help resell your redundant IT assets.
