Alongside the importance of regularly upgrading IT assets with the latest innovations, businesses must ensure their surplus IT assets are handled responsibly.
When the time comes to replace or retire outdated technology, choosing the right ITAD (IT Asset Disposition) company to responsibly and securely handle IT assets is crucial.
This blog post will explore the key factors to consider when searching for the right ITAD company for your business needs.
1. Expertise and experience
Your ITAD partner should have extensive experience and expertise in managing IT asset disposition in your industry.
They should show clear knowledge of your unique challenges and the regulatory requirements associated with your industry.
2. Compliance and data security
Look for an ITAD partner that prioritizes compliance with data privacy regulations, industry standards and environmental regulations.
The company should demonstrate robust data sanitization methods, secure chain-of-custody procedures, and certifications to ensure data security and responsible disposition practices.
Some essential certifications to look out for are:
ISO 9001: The ITAD company has implemented a quality management system to ensure consistent delivery of its services.
ISO 14001: A clear environmental management system is in place to reduce the ITAD company's environmental impact.
ISO 27001: The company has implemented a rigorous information security management system to protect sensitive data.
ISO 45001:2018: A certification as a standard for occupational health and safety management systems that help organizations promote and ensure the safety and well-being of their employees.
3. Asset tracking and reporting
It’s important that your ITAD partner demonstrates comprehensive asset tracking and reporting capabilities.
This should include detailed documentation of the assets received, their condition and their final disposition. Your partner should have a reliable system for tracking assets throughout the entire process, ensuring transparency and accountability.
4. Environmental stewardship
Your chosen partner should demonstrate a clear commitment to environmental stewardship, including certified e-waste recycling and adherence to environmental regulations. They should also promote sustainable practices such as equipment refurbishment, resale or donation.
Look for partners with certifications that ensure the responsible handling of electronic waste, such as R2.
R2 (Responsible Recycling) Certification Program: Managed by Sustainable Electronics Recycling International (SERI), this program outlines requirements that electronics recyclers must meet to demonstrate their commitment to responsible electronics recycling practices.
5. Global reach and scalability
Depending on your company’s global presence, you should assess whether your ITAD partner can support your geographic locations and handle your ITAD needs effectively.
Look out for factors such as having a network of facilities or partnerships to ensure that operations and compliance are seamless across different regions.
Here are some things an ITAD company would need to be aware of in different locations across the globe:
Basel Convention: An international treaty that aims to prevent hazardous waste transfer from developed to developing countries. Essentially, this regulation stops e-waste from being transported to countries unprepared to handle it correctly.
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): GDPR is a comprehensive data protection law implemented in the EU in 2018. Its aims are to strengthen and harmonize data protection rules across EU member states and applies to organizations that process the personal data of EU individuals.
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA): CCPA is a privacy law that went into effect in 2020 in the state of California, United States. It grants rights to California residents regarding personal information and imposes obligations on businesses that process this data.
6. Value recovery and remarketing
If you’re seeking to maximize the value of your retired assets, you should consider an ITAD partner with expertise in asset recovery and remarketing.
Look for partners that can assess the market value of assets, refurbish or repair equipment, and facilitate its resale to generate revenue or offset costs.
This is a vital part of maximizing value for your business through proper ITAD methods. Value recovery and remarketing methods can help you prolong the life of your IT assets or recoup some of your initial investment through resale.
7. Data destruction methods
Your ITAD partner should offer reliable and certified methods for data destruction that meet the NIST 800-88 standard.
This will give you peace of mind over your data, as you’ll know your personal information is being erased in a manner that’s compliant and meets industry standards. Here are some of the common data destruction methods to be aware of:
On-site degaussing: Degaussing involves destroying data on a storage device by removing its magnetism. This erases the information on the storage device and renders it inoperable.
On-site puncturing: Puncturing involves machinery that punctures pins in the storage device and the memory chips within them, eradicating the data.
On-site shredding: Shredding can be applied to various storage devices, such as SSD drives, USB drives, SIM cards, SD and MicroSD cards, and spindle drives. Memory devices can be shredded per your company’s security policies.
8. Customer references and reviews
When searching for an ITAD partner, it’s essential to evaluate the reputation and track record of the company you’re assessing.
You should seek references and customer testimonials to gauge the company’s performance, reliability and customer satisfaction.
Look out for testimonials from those involved in your industry, so you can assess whether the ITAD company can meet your specific needs.
9. Customization and flexibility
It’s important that your ITAD partner can tailor their services to your specific needs.
The company should be flexible in accommodating your unique requirements, providing customized solutions and adapting to your ever-evolving business needs.
10. Security and insurance
Before making your final decision, you should inquire about the ITAD company’s security measures and insurance coverage.
Your partner should have appropriate safeguards to protect assets and your data throughout transportation, handling and processing.
Insurance cover adds an extra layer of protection against the potential risks and liabilities that come hand-in-hand with sensitive data.
Working with a partner like TES
Choosing TES for your ITAD partner means you can benefit from a one-stop solution for decommissioning and retiring end-of-life equipment. Our award-winning solutions manage all aspects of the IT asset lifecycle for you, including transportation, identification, testing, repair, data sanitization and IT value recovery.
We can offer true global coverage via our 40+ owned and operated worldwide processing facilities, giving you a consistent experience no matter where your assets are located.
This means more than just lower logistics costs. We have local compliance experts dotted around the globe, so we have a deep understanding of transboundary movement and international regulations. We also offer support in local time zones and multiple languages alongside a consistent service — no matter where you are.
Here's how ITAD works with TES
Get in touch with a TES ITAD expert today
Choosing the right ITAD company is critical for businesses looking to retire IT assets securely and responsibly. Here at TES, we can offer customized solutions to manage the full lifecycle of your IT assets and hold essential certifications to ensure compliance with industry standards worldwide.
Getting in touch with a TES expert means you can discuss your ITAD requirements and configure a solution that best meets your business needs.
Fill in your details below and your local TES expert will contact you to discuss your requirements. Take the first step towards compliant and responsible IT asset disposition practices today.
