It’s been a tough couple of years for the supply chain. There’s no sign of a full recovery in sight as many industries struggle to fulfill the desire for their products, which is why we are going to dive into the nuances of refurbished network equipment.
One area where companies are certainly feeling the disruption is new networking equipment. As in, it’s difficult to find all of the hardware you need right now. We’ve been in the business for nearly 30 years now, and we’ve never seen anything like it.
Here are the five trends we’re seeing right now when talking to prospects, customers, and partners.
Trend #1: Mindset
Many IT leaders have never considered refurbished network equipment. And up until now, many didn’t have to. They’ve purchased all of their equipment brand new.
Because fewer new options are available, refurbished equipment is having its moment. Companies are supplementing their capacity with refurbished equipment until new equipment is available.
If you need equipment right now, extremely reliable refurbished network equipment is an option to consider – even if it’s a temporary solution.
Trend #2: Partners
If you’re looking to invest in hardware, you should take the time to vet any potential partners.
The thing is, each year more and more companies dip into purchasing refurbished network equipment for a variety of reasons. Because more IT leaders are considering this channel as an option, they’re vetting partners like never before.
We understand the hesitancy if you’re less familiar with the refurbished networking equipment market. You want to make sure you’re dealing with a reputable company as much as you need to expand your storage and meet users’ needs.
As more brands consider this sales channel, we offer this advice:
- Look for vendors who have multiple years of experience
- Make sure their products are backed with a warranty
- Ask whether they offer service after the sale or include maintenance options
Depending on your needs, you may also want to know whether potential vendors offer related services like software, new equipment, or IT asset disposition so that you can see the big picture.
Related Reading: Buying Refurbished IT Equipment: 5 Tips from the Pros
Trend #3: Equipment
Allow us to reiterate a previous point. The current supply chain is unprecedented. Not only is there a lack of current availability, but delivery timeframes are also getting longer and longer. This is especially challenging for companies that want to stick with one manufacturer in their network environment.
Trend #4: Sourcing
Some refurbished IT equipment vendors don’t keep stock on hand. Instead, they acquire assets only when they have a customer who needs something. Right now this is problematic because you can face long wait times when you may already be pressed for time.
That’s why you want a partner that has ready-to-go refurbished stock or a network of supplier relationships – either of which can reduce your wait time.
Trend #5: Return to Office
Most IT leaders will tell you that COVID delayed several infrastructure projects. During the pandemic, their primary concerns were getting by and keeping people online. Now, those same leaders are ready to make an infrastructure investment, but there’s no product available.
To further complicate matters, because so many companies are shifting from survival mode back to growth mode at once, there’s been another spike in demand for products that were already hard to find.
The other side of this coin is we’re seeing more inventory in certain categories as companies realize they need to deal with all of the excess hardware they’ve been hanging onto for the last two years – and companies that do sell their assets are fetching higher prices.
In the market for refurbished network equipment?
If you find yourself in the midst of this marketplace for the first time, rest assured it’s not always like this. But while it is, you’ll want an expert guide to help you navigate buying or selling network equipment.
After more than 25 years in the business, we’ve become experts in bringing reliable, refurbished IT hardware to the market, including the hard-to-find equipment you need.
Contact us today, and let’s chat about your refurbished network equipment needs and solutions.
