Because they facilitate communication and interactions between nearly all electrical devices, networking hardware, also known as network equipment, is a critical electronic component in any household, business, or datacenter. Network hardware, in particular, is in charge of data transfer, powering some devices, and providing security.
Networking devices, including data center equipment, come in several distinct forms. For one, file servers and storage spaces are among the data center’s equipment. Moreover, routers, modems, wireless access points, firewalls, and hybrid network devices are other marketed forms.
Whether you are a startup or an established company, buying old network equipment is a foolproof approach for cutting costs. It is sometimes even better for your business to choose this path instead of investing in new equipment, especially if the technology is relatively new and has a limited track record.
With that in mind, consider these five key benefits of buying in previously owned network equipment:
1. Availability: Fast Delivery
When acquiring new equipment from a source, whether online or not, you may experience longer delivery times than when ordering used or remanufactured equipment. Online businesses, for example, frequently promote things that they do not have in stock and must drop ship from a third party. They must forward their order to the source once they receive it, causing delays in the supply chain. With current market conditions (7.16.21), Dedicated is hearing that the lead times across various manufacturers are increasing substantially due to the component shortage and supply chain constraints.
2. Hard to Find: End of Sale
Buying extra parts, spare components, or an extra device when you have employed a tried-and-true system in your business is a fantastic method to ensure that you will be able to extend the life of your system in the case of a part failure. Having a spare part on hand speeds up the repair procedure because you will not have to wait for experts to locate the item and deliver it.
It also means that you will not have to replace an established system if a vital component fails. In terms of staff performance and equipment budget, sticking with what you presently have is the most cost-effective method. It is also preferable to shop for new systems at your pace rather than hurrying through the upgrading procedure under duress.
3. Cost Cutting: Lower Costs
It should come as no surprise that purchasing used networking equipment is the most cost-effective option for substantial purchases. Moreover, companies who buy new equipment tend to pay top dollar for it. This higher price tag includes the cost of materials and manufacture and the hidden costs of R&D and personnel wages. In addition, because there is no Blue Book for network equipment, the price of second-hand equipment fluctuates. Which in turn, you can pocket those savings or put it towards procuring additional equipment.
4. Warranty Provided by Seller: Full Warranty
You will typically get a full warranty for network equipment if you buy from secondhand suppliers.
Qualified specialists meticulously inspect the components, testing and replacing any problematic parts. Sellers who provide warranties eliminate the minor risk of purchasing used equipment and, in some ways, offer better protection than buying new ones.
Moreover, when you buy from a seller with a warranty, you can get better protection than if you were to buy new. There is a reason for this: during the inspection process, there may be fixed issues that an original seller might not identify.
5. Environmental Sustainability: Extending the Life of Use Instead of Destroying
Buying old equipment is also beneficial if you intend to lessen your environmental impact as part of your business goals.
Companies that make fully functional or refurbished second-hand network equipment available aid the environment in various ways. Electronics contain various hazardous materials, such as heavy and rare metals, which can pollute the soil and groundwater table if disposed of in a landfill. The plastic covers take hundreds of years to decompose and may leech dangerous compounds into the water supply.
When new products come to the market, fossil fuels and natural resources are all used. It benefits everyone: the company selling or giving the equipment, the used network equipment seller, and you, the end-user, to be able to put things back into service once another user considers them obsolete.
Choosing the Right Vendor before Purchasing Used Networking Equipment
Before purchasing second-hand equipment, you should concentrate your efforts on researching and studying the vendor.
Because they will have the best expertise about the products available, you want a reseller who stocks their inventory. If you already know what you need, simply tell the vendor, and they should be able to find it for you.
Do not hesitate to inquire about a vendor’s quality control and testing procedures before making a purchase. Ask the hard questions. For example, how do they inspect each piece of hardware for damage while still ensuring that it functions as it should?
Ultimately, it is usually better to choose a supplier or vendor that sells a limited number of products. There are general electronics companies that sell network components, but they usually cannot provide a high level of knowledge in any particular area. This limitation is particularly crucial, especially if you are purchasing network equipment for the first time and have no concrete ideas where to begin.
However, sometimes even savvy networking equipment buyers have a hard time finding what they need. So, this issue is present throughout many industries.
For added security, look for a vendor who offers an in-house guarantee on all of their products.
On that note, Dedicated Networks Inc. could be the right fit for you. Dedicated Networks Inc. buys decommissioned Cisco, Juniper, Arista, and other networking equipment. Moreover, they test, reset all equipment back to factory defaults, renovate if required, and resell it on the secondary market, guaranteeing that all networking equipment is of the highest quality before being sold.
Conclusion
Buying used networking equipment offers a wealth of benefits that can be particularly beneficial for budding companies. Each of these five reasons can already be compelling enough to make purchasing old network equipment a significant option. When it comes to upgrading or replacing the electronics that drive your business, these five reasons, combined, add up to a compelling case for choosing refurbished or used over new.