IT assets are considered to be defunct every time a new product is launched in the market. There are two reasons for the need to replace systems every now and then. First being the marketing guy of the new product was able to convince you that your computers were no longer adaptable to the new application and software. Second reason might be that the marketer might be true and there really might be a need to replace your systems. However, replacement or disposal of your IT asset may also help you make money, only if done in a proper way.
Corporate companies usually turn a blind eye to the old hardware and other IT asset once they are replaced with the newer ones. A visit to the store room of the premise may yield a dull and dusty look with lots of PCs and their parts, printers and wires in the room. Rather than assuming that the unused hardware ceases to exist by keeping them out of sight, disposing them in a sensible and responsible way would be a profitable idea. This would not only help in making space in your premises but would also serve to be a security measure on which we will discuss in the later part of this article.
Before you think of disposing off a PC, think of whether it can be used in some other division of your organization. For instance, a computer with a lower RAM or hard disk memory may be useful in keeping log files of the attendance system. That way, most of the items may be saved from the disposal unit and you also won’t need to buy new systems, thereby saving your money. Moreover, corporate computer and IT disposal has to be under scrutiny as sensitive data is also associated while disposing off systems. However, with the above method, you may also save your organization from data leaks and hence keep up with the privacy policy of your company.
Another method to gain money from waste is to consider reselling your IT assets to other companies. This might be possible because there are startup firms that have economical constraints and are on the lookout for cheap second hand equipments. Also, some other firms such as data entry companies may not require high configuration PC and might buy your stuff. You may then divert the money thus obtained into buying new equipments. This way you turn up shelling money from your own pocket on new items.
If image of the company is your concern, then you may consider donating equipments to a non-governmental organizations, schools or charitable trusts. That might add up to the CSR activity or the Corporate Social Responsibility program of your companies and you may just show up on the list of companies with good reputation and active CSR responsibilities.
There are a whole lot of methods of disposing of IT assets but as I said, you need to be sensible and responsible in disposal. There is no sense in reselling used hard drives or just keeping them in store for a long time if you have data in it as that might be prone to breaking privacy rules. There is no responsibility if you think of smashing all your hard disk and creating a mess at your place, apart from the noise it would create.
If you have used the above measures, there is a lot to consider and you may think of the ideas given here. Even if you feel the need to dispose hardware, consider recycling it rather than throwing them away. Sense with a favor to environment is a good idea.
Jack Thomas provides information on IT assets disposal. For further information visit his Gplus.
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