An important part of IT asset management is recognizing when a piece of hardware is no longer suitable for regular use within your organization. When that’s the case, there are a few common ways you can let go of your old electronics, or, you can employ an IT asset disposition (ITAD) vendor to take the hardware off your hands.
ITAD services can be beneficial if you would prefer that someone else assumes responsibility for your outdated equipment. They may provide all the documentation needed to adhere to regulations, and you can even receive compensation if the items are resold, allowing you to recoup some value.
However, if you do go this route, you’ll want choose a vendor that properly retires the machinery and takes all the necessary steps to ensure that the disposal is secure, legally compliant, and responsible.
Below, we’ll walk you through the asset disposition process and highlight how the best providers ensure quality service.
How asset disposition works
There are four key components to a comprehensive asset disposition program.
- Transportation and logistics. This is the process of getting your obsolete technology from Point A (your workplace) to Point B (the disposition facility) in a secure and professional manner.
- Data destruction. It is critical that all of your data is verifiably destroyed so your information cannot be exploited by a malicious party.
- Refurbishing. Your equipment will be evaluated and if it can still be restored, it’ll be fixed and resold.
- Electronics recycling. If the device is at the point of no return, it should be discarded with minimal impact on the environment.
What to look for in an IT asset management service provider
Here are some features you should look for in any disposition service:
- Exhaustive exploration of reuse options. The best ITAD vendors will look to refurbish and repurpose your old hardware so that potentially serviceable assets don’t go to waste.
- Dedication to environmentally friendly recycling. Good providers will also use environmentally responsible recycling practices. This includes prioritizing the safety of everyone who interacts with toxic chemicals in the process.
- Verifiable data destruction. You need to know for certain that your data is erased. Any valid service will include a means for you to verify that this has happened.
As you investigate your disposition options, be sure that they demonstrate the qualities above. Akooba, for instance, is an IT asset management provider that specializes in data destruction, hardware disposition, and refurbishing services. They are a Microsoft-registered refurbisher, have an AAA NAID certification in hard drive destruction, and use a proprietary technology that confirms the destruction of customers’ hard drives with video footage. They guarantee forensic-grade data erasure, have a zero-landfill policy, and also send potentially hazardous materials to certified electronics recyclers in a manner that is safe for all employees involved.
Remember that the way you dispose of old technology can have legitimate financial and security implications.
Be sure to ask the provider exactly what they do to ensure that sensitive data is completely erased, and also inquire about what they do to avoid e-waste. It will tell you a lot about their concern for your interests as well.