It’s always smart business to enlist an ITAD specialist to manage company IT assets when plannig for growth while ensuring cost reimbursement and managing data security. Every company with electronic assets must eventually deal with retiring equipment as companies become more reliant on ever-expanding technology for business needs. IT asset disposition is a vital component of that process. Careful planning and attention must be paid to the selecting a vendor.Choosing an ITAD specialist can seem daunting. Justifiably so, as there are many careless recyclers suggesting they perform environmentally responsible, quality work without certification of any kind. They may illegally dispose of electronic recyclables and be reckless with sensitive data remaining on hardware.
In order to protect against the risk of lax data security or a vendor who eschews compliance with laws and regulations, companies should do thorough research when considering an ITAD specialist and address these important questions:
- Firstly, is the vendor R2 certified? R2 certification is a leading industry standard for electronics recyclers. It holds vendors accountable for full compliance with critical safety and security measures.
- Secondly, how does the vendor handle logistics? White glove tactics ensure safeguarding of assets and a fuller range of service provisions. A trustworthy vendor should be proven able to coordinate even the most complicated logistics with clients.
- Specifically, is there a secure chain of custody from start to finish? A secure chain of custody is critical for full data security, meaning the equipment is tracked throughout transportation, storage, and destruction. The vendor should have a clear explanation of their chain of custody, including equipment security at the facility.
- What data destruction methods does the vendor use? Responsible, reliable ITAD specialists can provide a transparent explanation of the process, including data sanitization software utilized and the shredding and destruction procedures. An ITAD specialist should always provide this service.
- Does the vendor provide precise tracking and reporting? Find out if there is a system that logs equipment and details the acquisition and destruction from start to finish. Preferably, there will be an online portal through for immediate access to reports.
- What are the asset recovery expectations? It’s important to receive the highest possible return on IT assets. Reliable vendors will work to maximize cost recovery, matching or exceeding manufacturer take-back programs.
- Does the vendor offer on-site pickups and de-installations? Recyclers who remove the burden from the client and take care of the acquisition logistics save time and money.
- Finally, what other services can the vendor offer? Vendors who offer data center decommissions, IT solutions, and other ITAD-related services in addition to electronics recycling are likely to provide clients the most thorough, knowledgeable range of service.