Why obsolete IT Is not a backup, but often a cost

Many companies hold on to their unused/old laptops, servers, and other IT equipment for too long. While this may seem like a smart and sustainable choice, in reality, it leads to depreciation, higher costs, and risks such as data breaches. At Out of Use, we have been helping businesses optimize their IT asset management for over 15 years.

Extending the lifespan of IT equipment is beneficial for the environment, but storing old devices without a clear plan has disadvantages. Often, they are forgotten and lose their value. These are the most common reasons why companies hold onto IT for too long:

• Fear of data breaches: Companies worry that data may not be securely erased, so they prefer to keep old devices. However, this actually increases the risk of data breaches, especially when devices remain unsecured.
• Unclear value: Many businesses do not realize that old IT equipment still holds financial worth. The longer they remain unused, the less they are worth.
• Backup inventory: Organizations keep decommissioned devices as emergency backups, but in practice, these are rarely used and simply accumulate over time.

IT equipment quickly loses value, meaning the longer it remains unused, the less you can recover from it. Additionally, older devices are more expensive to maintain and perform less efficiently, reducing employee productivity. Forgotten devices also pose a data security risk, especially if they contain sensitive information and are left unprotected. A single abandoned laptop in storage could turn into a major security threat.

At Out of Use, we help businesses manage their IT assets efficiently to ensure no value is lost. Our solutions include:

• Reuse: Where possible, we refurbish devices and give them a second life. Thanks to our Back in Use webshop (www.backinuse.be), employees have the opportunity to purchase these refurbished devices for personal use.
• Secure data erasure: Our certified processes ensure that all data is securely and permanently erased.
• Smart recycling: We recover valuable materials and turn decommissioned IT into new raw materials.