subject: Is Your It Department Prepared For The Financially Challenging Time Ahead? [print this page] You only have to take a look at the recent financial headlines, to see why containing IT expenditure remains a top priority for the majority of businesses. IT professionals can clearly recall the challenges they faced during the global financial meltdown of 2008, which is impacting the decisions they are making now.
Challenging financial times often result in organizations tightening their belts and learning how to do more with less. The cost and availability of IT infrastructure have always been key concerns for network managers and are integral to the efficiency and effectiveness of a network. Insuring your company is positioned to meet these challenging times means new purchasing policies and processes must be considered and implemented when necessary.
IT departments do their utmost to guarantee the highest possible uptime for the business; but in order to do so, they need to be able to rely on their networking equipment supplier. If for any reason that supplier cannot deliver in a timely fashion, this can prevent the IT department from delivering on the promise of guaranteed uptime.
Adding a trusted independent networking equipment provider to your IT supply chain is a proven way to reduce costs, maximize value and guarantee uptime. Independent equipment VARs provide companies with vital access to inventory outside traditional channels. Organizations who develop business relationships with partners outside traditional OEM channels are strategically stronger positioned to handle budget constraints and unexpected supply chain delays.
In fact, its possible to save between 60% and 90% off the manufacturers list price while still getting product delivered overnight if you know where to look.
Respected independent equipment suppliers will be able to demonstrate their commitment to quality processes and should be ISO and TL9000 certified.
Refurbished network equipment delivered by a competent provider does not result in a loss of quality. Before sale, the technology is thoroughly tested in state of the art labs to make sure it functions as well as it had in its original condition. Trusted suppliers will be able to provide customers with verified lower failure rates than the traditional 3-4% failure rate associated with new equipment.
Customer support post sale is also a must. Customers who choose the right vendor can be guaranteed that cost savings gained through the purchase of pre-owned equipment comes supported by 24/7 technical assistance and overnight replacement. Vendors who have Cisco, Juniper or Foundry certified engineers can help their customers with any issues that may arise with this networking equipment.
Having a trusted, independent provider of pre-owned networking equipment also enables you to avoid unnecessary and costly equipment upgrades. Today, organizations are increasingly aware that End of Sale / End of Life policies are often a means of driving new equipment sales. These policies are being seen for what they are, a strategy by the manufacturer.
Selling your surplus equipment and purchasing pre-owned technology brings additional green benefits. Companies embracing the reuse of IT equipment are saving money and extending networking equipment lifecycles. While leading manufacturers often release product upgrades every three years, switches and routers in fact have a much longer lifecycle. Reusing surplus equipment is the most effective way of recycling as no part of the technology goes to waste.
Using pre-owned equipment as part of your network procurement strategy can help lower a businesss total cost of ownership and operational expenses, as well as complimenting its green IT efforts and for cash-strapped network managers, this is a winning combination.
by: Santa Barbara
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