Refurbishing corporate IT equipment inventories: common misconceptions

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Smartphones, computers and tablets have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. After two or three years of use, these devices are replaced by new ones, because they are mistakenly considered to be obsolete and too slow, and so they end up being stored away and unused in the closets of the companies that own them.

Managing the end-of-life of these devices seems to be a long and costly process. However, integrating these devices into a refurbishing process would: 

  • Reduce the cost of renewing IT equipment inventories
  • Extend the lifespan of these devices 
  • Avoid the extraction of new resources, which are becoming increasingly scarce, for the manufacturing of new products
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More and more professionals are deciding to give a second life to their equipment as part of their CSR approach. But many companies are still afraid of this idea. And for a good reason, because there are a number of misconceptions about refurbishing IT equipment that need to be addressed.

Below, we list four common misconceptions that discourage companies from refurbishing their tech products and we explain why now is the right time to take action!

The fear of data leakage

To ensure the security of users, all personal data on the devices is completely erased, before these devices are placed on the second-hand market. At Dipli, this essential step is carried out by our partners and managed via software that complies with the European General Data Protection Regulation, Blancco, NSYS Group and Piceasoft are among our preferred partners. Ask for a data erasure certificate, on which you will find the serial number of the device and the method used to erase the data.

Refurbishing these devices is a lengthy process

  1. You may think that you should wait until you have a large inventory of devices before getting started. This is a mistake, because the value of these devices decreases in the meantime. Once you have 10 to 20 devices available, it’s the right time to start working with an expert like Dipli.

  2. We take care of everything! From trade-in to distribution, we manage your inventories in an all-in-one tool that simplifies your life. No more multiple intermediaries between you and the final markets. There are two sales options you can choose:
  3.  
  • Our sales warehouse 

Entrust us with the entire management of your inventory and generate up to 50% additional residual value, thanks to our multiple distribution channels.

  • Immediate trade-in 

A solution for selling your inventories quickly and easily at the best offer, in less than five days.

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Lack of knowledge about the market

Dipli is committed to being a direct distributor of quality second-hand products and works closely with recognized partners who specialize in refurbishing.

Pre-sale testing 
All smartphones which are offered for sale on the second-hand market are tested beforehand. A total of 30 checkpoints are used to identify and make any repairs that may be necessary and to ensure that the product is as close to new as possible. These tests certify that a device is suitable for resale.

Grading of refurbished devices
The devices are graded according to precise and realistic criteria that provide a quick idea of their aesthetic condition. This grade is not an indication of the technical or functional aspects of the equipment. We have developed́ our own grades, according to our specifications, to provide consistent quality and verified traceability, regardless of the origin of the inventory.

 

Devices graded

Unused devices have no impact

Most users get a new phone while their old one is still working. This is a not a good idea, especially when you consider that manufacturing a new 5.5-inch smartphone causes significant pollution to the soil and the environment and requires nearly 170 kg of raw materials. Many of these materials are precious or extremely rare, such as tantalum or yttrium.

An environmental and social commitment

To manufacture smartphones, a variety of materials must be extracted, including precious and rare earths. Some of these materials are “conflict minerals,” such as gold and tantalum, which finance armed groups in countries with unstable political situations. In addition to having this impact on local populations, the manufacturing process obviously has a disastrous impact on the environment and on the workers who mine the metals and who are systematically harmed by this work. And afterwards, the mining and extraction sites are not restored to their original condition when the activity is transferred to another location. A large amount of acid and toxic substances are required to mine these materials. However, only 1% of the material is actually extracted, and the rest is dumped into the environment. Using rare earths that have already been extracted and are therefore already in circulation is a viable solution to this problem. 

The Impact Certificate

When you refurbish your appliances with Dipli, you receive an “Impact Certificate” which is a proof of your commitment. You can then promote your initiative among your employees, customers and partners. The figures are verified by the French Agency for the Environment and Energy Management, following the large-scale study conducted jointly with Dipli.

Impact Certificate

Dipli has been an expert in refurbished high-tech products for professionals since 2017. From the management of trade-ins and returns, refurbishing and omni-channel distribution, Dipli covers and simplifies all the steps with a single goal in mind: to become the leading global player in the supply chain for second-hand electronic products.

Do you have any questions? Please feel free to contact us.

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