How many times recently have you headed to the store, excited to grab your favorite bag of chips, only to find an empty spot on the shelf? By now, you’ve certainly felt the sting of supply chain delays and know it’s affecting far more than your salty snack needs. (Just check out the gas prices—yikes!)
The global chip shortage has been a real business buzz-kill, causing delays, price hikes, and more than a few stress headaches.
We know it’s brutal out there right now, but there are ways to get around it.
Key Takeaways
- The global chip shortage has created widespread hardware delays and price increases that affect businesses of every size, making creative sourcing strategies a competitive necessity rather than a last resort.
- Abandoning the “rip and replace” mindset of refreshing technology every three to five years regardless of actual need is one of the most effective ways to reduce dependence on new hardware supply chains during periods of shortage.
- IT maintenance companies that extend the life of existing servers and network equipment through routine support are a practical and underutilized alternative to waiting months for new hardware that may not arrive on schedule.
- Certified refurbished hardware vendors offer thoroughly inspected, warranty-backed equipment from top manufacturers that is ready to ship now, making the secondary market one of the most reliable solutions for businesses facing supply chain constraints.
- Vetting a refurbished hardware vendor thoroughly before committing is critical. Questions around certifications, warranty coverage, lead times, and problem resolution processes reveal far more about a vendor’s reliability than their marketing materials ever will.
How Can I Stay Ahead of The Shortage?
Let’s face it. Most of us trying to source IT hardware right now feel a little like John McClaine at the end of Die Hard—beat up, worn down, and wondering why it has to be so hard.
We need to approach the chip shortage more like MacGyver than McClaine. MacGyver didn’t get beat up much, because he always found creative ways to solve his problem. The MacGyver approach says, “What else is out there? How can I make this work?”
Don’t let equipment manufacturers fool you into believing they’re the only workable solution. There are options for reducing the impact of the chip shortage on your business—and it starts with abandoning the “rip and replace” mindset that prompts businesses to refresh tech every 3-5 years, whether you really need to or not.
What does this look like in practice?
- Enlisting the help of IT Maintenance Companies—Companies, like Inteleca, offer routine hardware support for your servers and network equipment so you get more life out of your existing equipment.
- Turning to an IT Reseller – A trusted refurbished hardware vendor, like Inteleca, has the equipment you need when new items aren’t being manufactured fast enough. They have top-quality equipment from the best manufacturers in the world. This gear is thoroughly inspected, certified, and ready to keep you moving forward.
What Should You Be Asking Refurbished Hardware Vendors?
Purchasing tech from the secondary market makes sure you aren’t held back by supply chain issues. But don’t trust your company’s success with just anyone.
When you’re vetting refurbished hardware vendors, ask questions that give you a sense of the quality of their service:
- How long have you been in operation?
- Do you have any certifications, such as ISO?
- What’s your warranty?
- What’s your lead time to ship an order?
- What happens if there’s a problem?
(Check out our complete list of 10 Must-Ask Questions here!)
And let’s be honest, the way potential vendors respond will tell you a lot, too. Reputable vendors should welcome questions and eagerly address concerns. If not, they’re probably not the people to work with. You’re meeting high-stakes goals, and you deserve some assurance. But never fear—there are amazing teams in the secondary market, waiting for the opportunity to prove their dedication to service and quality.
Don’t let supply chain delays slow you down. Schedule a call with one of our Inteleca engineers to find out how we can help you get around your tech-sourcing challenges.
FAQs
Why is e-waste a growing concern for businesses and what can they do about it?
E-waste is growing at a pace that will see global volumes double within 16 years, driven in large part by businesses replacing equipment on accelerating refresh cycles without adequate plans for responsible disposal. Electronics contain hazardous materials that contaminate soil and water when landfilled, and the US recycles only a fraction of the e-waste it generates annually. Businesses can address their contribution directly by implementing formal IT asset lifecycle management that prioritizes reuse and remarketing before recycling, and by partnering with a certified ITAD provider that holds R2v3 and ISO 14001 certifications as verification of genuine environmental responsibility rather than just a policy statement.
What is the circular economy in IT and how does it benefit businesses?
The circular economy in IT is a model that treats hardware as a long-term asset rather than a disposable purchase, prioritizing reuse, refurbishment, and remarketing at every stage of the lifecycle before recycling or disposal is considered. For businesses, this translates directly into cost savings on both disposal and new procurement, with retired assets generating financial returns through secondary market resale rather than being written off entirely
