IT Asset Disposal
Businesses that employ IT asset disposal and management must accurately ascertain when maximum benefit from applicable hardware has been attained. Technical staff must also know the proper means for disposal of obsolete hardware.
No longer do IT supervisors give their children old company laptops. Nor do they send them to local dumps or recycling facilities.
Laws pertaining to confidential data, environmental protection, software copyright infringement, and other legalities have greatly complicated hardware disposal. Businesses often incur substantial costs to rid themselves of unwanted computer equipment.
The following is a summary of the basics of corporate computer equipment disposal:
Carefully study all available alternatives
Not all hardware disposal methods are universally recognized or valid. In some IT departments, revamping old PCs or laptops for corporate reuse is acceptable, however.
In the contemporary market, purchasing entire systems in new condition costs relatively little. Overhauling obsolete equipment, however, consumes major resources in terms of money, time, and skill. There are outsourcing firms that will perform this function to any legal specifications — for a fee. Such companies will overall hardware systems for internal reuse, donation, or resale.
For larger bigger hardware components such as that employed by data centers, many businesses have evolved that will haul such items off your business premises. Typically, this service is requested when corporate clients purchase newer equipment. The basic concept is identical to large appliance retailers needing to get rid of old refrigerators or stoves. The idea has not yet become nearly as popular in the arena of obsolete computer components, however.
The sale or gift of outdated hardware to corporate workers for their own personal use is also common. The relatively high costs of this approach and the employee expectations it often fosters is rarely cost-effective, however.
Consequently, the donation, recycling, or resale of entire systems or their components are most companies’ best options.
Upon identifying the viable range of options for hardware disposal, most companies opt for outside assistance.
Small firms with relatively little equipment can usually conduct disposal operations unassisted. Huge conglomerates with thousands of computers located throughout multiple international locations usually seek out third-party service providers.
Such outsourcing hardware disposers are known as “IT asset” disposition providers, instead of “disposal” companies. These firms refurbish or resale any salvageable systems or hardware components. Any parts of a desktop PC, for instance, that are not marketable are stripped of their metal or other valuable construction materials. These components are then sold to a mill or scrap vendor that in turn, reuses it. Plastic parts may be reusable by commercial processors for pellets. Similarly, copper has high value on the scrap metal market.
Ultimately, nearly everything is salvaged.
Corporate hardware users are often required to certify total data obliteration prior to retaining outsourcers’ services. This can be almost impossible if your firm has cannibalized its hard drives.
Safeguard proprietary information
No matter how your company intends to dispose of its obsolete hardware, and regardless of whether third-party vendors are employed, all sensitive business data must be thoroughly deleted from fixed storage media.
From the standpoint of protecting data, it is vital to completely clean all IT assets –irrespective of ultimate disposal intentions. Many deletion software packages are available on the open market. Dorsey suggests utilizing programs that meet US Dept. of Defense (“DOD”) criteria for clearing data. DOD protocol requires only three passes, but seven passes should be conducted to insure maximum security.
Practice responsible commercial recycling
Although data deletion is an indispensable function of third-party disposal vendors, most businesses clean all hard drives prior to allowing their exit from the premises. This precaution is prudent, as it provides an extra layer of protection. It is your firm’s sole responsibility to ensure adequate data removal.
Environmental concerns
A certain risk of environmental injury is inherent in the process of retiring old computer equipment. Numerous state and local laws and regulatory policies exist to regulate the practice. All must be adhered to in order to avoid attracting legal liabilities and a tarnished business image for your company.
Small firms that exist solely within US borders may affect easier IT asset disposal, due to fewer legal restrictions and lower quantities of physical gear to contend with. Nonetheless, oversight is mandatory; especially for businesses striving to maintain “green” public images.
Many corporations have even resorted to tracing the entire progression of disposal efforts, even when employing outside services.
Business concerns with die-hard environmental concerns must take a holistic approach. Constant vigilance must commence and continue throughout the entirety of equipment life expectancy. Upon expiration of this time frame, strict adherence to correct protocols for the recycle and disposal of hardware must be practiced.
The right rule for repurposing
For firms intending to repurpose obsolete hardware, all hard drives must be totally cleaned of all data. Subsequently, any manufacturer-supplied software should be reinstalled.
In the repurpose realm, many obsolete IT assets may be donated to public educational facilities. Schools employ aged equipment for pupil familiarization with basic computer functions — rather than complicated tasks that businesses require. Such hardware might also be utilized for training students in computer repair or in basic office functions.
Profit Potential
Employing third-party vendors who resale IT assets can sometimes reduce disposal costs. No matter what your company’s chosen mode of IT asset disposal, careful “risk vs. benefit” analyses should be conducted in advance. The extra effort and time required to map out a legal, cost-effect strategy is well worthwhile.
If you’re looking for an IT Asset Disposal solution – whether using hardware, software or bringing in a data destruction service – contact Tabernus at 1.888.700.8560 or here – Data Erasure Software.
