Are you one of those companies that send decommissioned IT equipment into the recovery cycle? If not, you should definitely think about it. Because: Refurbished IT protects the environment and increases the sustainability of companies.
Technology is taking over.
Offices in particular are showing that business processes can hardly be done without laptops, smartphones, tablets, etc. And as a consequence, the number of IT devices in companies is also increasing . A laptop is part of the basic equipment for most employees, so they can also flexibly work outside the office – for example, with the 3-2-2 model .
There may also be a docking station, external monitors, mouse and keyboard for optimal workplace performance in the office. Employees may also need a corporate cell phone or tablet. Some companies even provide a second set of peripherals (such as monitors, mouse and keyboard) for the home office so that employees can also work optimally there. Of course, this is not necessary; Nevertheless, such equipment is well perceived as a benefit to employees .
However, after a while such IT devices become obsolete and are replaced by new ones. This often happens after only three years of use . But what happens to discarded devices? In the meantime, the recovery cycle is set. But what is a refurbished IT ?
Refurbished means that something is (usually) overhauled or repaired. Under this definition of refurbished IT, refurbished IT is usually an overhaul of IT equipment. Experts take IT devices that are already in use and subject them to a very complex standardized preparation process . The goal of this is to have the refurbished IT devices go through a second product life cycle, as they are mostly resold to private end customers – almost like a new device thanks to an overhaul.
Refurbished IT equipment is often business equipment obtained from corporate use — either through leases.Rental models or even from purchased goods. It is also possible that they are former exhibits. These units tend to be high quality and powerful because they have to meet the high demands of efficient operation in companies. With high-quality components, they are designed for durability and reliability and are therefore particularly suited to the refurbishment cycle.
In a comprehensive preparation or audit, the refurbishment is carried out to high standards, so that the visual and technical quality of the refurbished IT is guaranteed. This also makes remanufactured IT a special form of used equipment.
High standards for refurbished IT
The refurbishment process shows how and why these high standards are maintained. Below is an overview of the most important steps, using laptops as an example:
Optical Inspection
During the optical inspection, technicians look for signs of use or damage. If there are no defects, it is classified as a “1. Selection.” , with less external signs of use, the devices are considered “2. choice” . If the defects are serious, the quality standards are not met. Disassembled devices can then serve as donors of spare parts.
Professional data erasure
One of the prerequisites for recovery is to completely erase all data from the devices and reset them to factory settings. This step is especially important because new users expect, on the one hand, a “clean” device, and on the other hand, data protection must be respected at all costs. Particularly company data is very sensitive and therefore in particular need to be protected.
Technical preparation It is also necessary to carry out
a technical inspection with possible troubleshooting. In addition, individual hardware components can be exchanged for new and more powerful models – for example in the case of hard disks or solid state drives. Any defects will be corrected at this stage.
Cleaning
IT equipment is thoroughly cleaned both inside and outside. Because: dust can accumulate inside, such as through vents or gaps in the keyboard; the exterior should shine like new again at the end of the repair process.
Installation and final inspection
To ensure that the refurbished IT is technically up-to-date, some providers also install new software, such as the latest version of the Windows operating system. The repair process ends with a final check : a check to see if the device is working properly.
At the end of this process is a technically flawless IT device that also meets the highest visual standards. The end customers get a powerful repaired device and give a second life to the technology used.