White Paper from Aventis Systems, Inc. Explores the Advantages of Refurbished IT Equipment
"Refurbished IT equipment delivers savings and performance" discusses how small and midsize businesses are coping with tight budgets in today's economy by purchasing refurbished IT equipment. This news feature explores why refurbished IT equipment makes sense for small and midsize businesses due to cost savings and even increased performance.
(Vocus/PRWEB ) May 12, 2009 -- Small- and midsize businesses everywhere face fierce economic pressures in today's climate of reduced sales and high operating costs. According to Aventis Systems, Inc., an Atlanta-based firm specializing in refurbished IT equipment, one of the ways businesses have coped with these economic pressures is by purchasing refurbished servers, hardware, routers and other systems and IT infrastructure. It is a growing practice that saves money and reduces equipment acquisition time while still providing the performance needed for most business applications.
Used vs. refurbished--there's a difference
Refurbished IT equipment is pre-owned equipment that has been cleaned, tested, reconfigured and warranted for further use. One of the reasons that refurbished equipment is a good bargain is that servers, routers and other devices are generally robust pieces of electronic equipment that are more likely to become obsolete in terms of performance and capabilities long before the end of their useful life-span. Experts agree that the useful lifetime of these components is at least six years, and sometimes more.
However, there is a difference between equipment that is "used" and equipment that is "refurbished." During the process of refurbishing a server, for example, the unit is cleaned on the outside to restore its look, and cleaned on the inside to remove accumulated dust that may cause it to run hotter than normal and shorten its life. Then, the unit is tested in a burn-in process similar to when it was manufactured. This identifies any damaged or weak components, which are then replaced before the unit is installed in any application. Finally, the unit is reconfigured for a client's application. This thorough process allows refurbishing companies to offer warranties that are up to three times longer than offered by the original manufacturer.
A dependable company that offers refurbished IT equipment will also offer a wide range of services for customers and provide prompt repair or replacement of any equipment that may develop a problem. While refurbished equipment generally does not fail any more often than new equipment, it is important for customers to select a refurbished IT equipment supplier that offers a good warranty and has an exemplary reputation for prompt, responsive service.
Lower costs are just the first advantage
Additional benefits include:
| | - Reliability - Most refurbished equipment is only about two to three years old, and there has been time to have all the bugs worked out of it. Experience has shown that when properly cleaned, tested and reconfigured, refurbished equipment is just as reliable as new equipment. In fact, the best refurbishing companies offer warranties that rival or exceed the original manufacturer's.
- Performance - Due to cost savings, users are usually able to purchase higher-performing equipment than they otherwise would be able to afford. Also, most refurbished equipment comes with its original software and its Certificate of Authenticity, and savings on equipment can free up budget to purchase higher-grade software for other applications.
- Availability - There is a large pool of like-new refurbished equipment readily available in many markets around the country. When you order equipment, it is usually available immediately. When purchased new, most servers and other equipment have to be built, which can delay implementation of a project.
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How to buy refurbished IT equipment--with confidence
Here are some things to look for when deciding which vendor to work with.
| | - Warranties - Some suppliers offer 30-day, "sell-and-run" warranties that expose customers to the risks of failing equipment. Look for suppliers that offer up to a three-year warranty on servers and storage units, and at least a one-year warranty on desktop and laptop computers. Memory should be covered under a lifetime warranty, while hard drives and CPUs should come with at least a one-year warranty.
- Certified technicians - Look for suppliers that have technicians who are certified by the manufacturer. Dell and HP have developed certification programs that all resellers should have completed before working on their hardware. Testing, repair and service are such important IT support issues that you need to be sure that qualified technicians are working on your equipment.
- Customer service - Choose a supplier with a good record of customer service in terms of responsiveness, short turnaround time and knowledge. Ask for customer references.
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For more information about pre-owned, customized IT hardware solutions, contact: Tiffany Bloomer, Director of Business Development, Aventis Systems, 280 Interstate North Circle, Suite 640, Atlanta, GA 30062. Phone: 678-324-5235; fax: 678-324-5236. The company Web site is: www.aventissystems.com.
Note: A complete version of the original 2,206-word paper is available for download at www.cccinc.com/pr/aventis/refurbished
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