▶️ Video: Best Practices When Choosing an ITAD Partner

Whether your needs revolve around secure hard drive and data destruction or disposition of complete data centers and server rooms, choosing the right ITAD partner to work with is imperative. To help navigate this process, Edward Wooten, Smith’s Director of ITAD, explains the industry’s best practices for choosing an ITAD partner that can provide customized solutions that deliver the highest return on investment.

Best Practice #1: Upholding the Highest Security Standards

The R2:2013 standard is the ITAD industry’s leading certification for responsible electronic reuse and recycling. Certification is achieved through stringent third-party facility audits, inspections, and complete transparency of processes throughout the entire electronic reuse and recycling phases. Compliance with this standard and others, such as DoD 5220.22-M and NIST, are essential qualifications of an ITAD partner. Ensuring that every step throughout the ITAD process is fully documented with certificates for both the destruction and wiping of drives helps to maintain security throughout the supply chain. Adherence to the industry’s leading certifications for the proper disposal of assets holds ITAD service providers accountable and ensures a trustworthy partnership.

Best Practice #2: Maintaining Established Global Stability

The intricacies of wiping, shredding, and degaussing IT hardware require proven quality procedures and operational efficiency. ITAD service providers should have a long and validated business track record that ensures safe and secure disposal of IT equipment. By having multiple distribution-processing facilities, an in-house logistics team, and far-reaching geographical capabilities, ITAD partners can successfully meet customers’ requirements for disposition. Facilities in the U.S., Asia, and Europe should be included in an ITAD partner’s global reach since these regions serve as primary hubs for technology advancements and refreshments. In addition to having services span continents, an ITAD partner should also have the capability to be physically present when a customer needs them. Mobile shred trucks and in-house logistics teams are key indicators of an ITAD partner’s ability to quickly and efficiently provide services. Look for an ITAD partner that has a proven and solid business history to verify stability.

Best Practice #3: Optimizing the Highest Return on Investment

Work with an ITAD partner that has an in-depth knowledge of the circular economy and understands how to implement these practices. The circular economy dictates that all materials and components are to be kept at their highest value, and e-waste should be designed out of the system. ITAD partners that are capable of discerning which product is re-marketable versus which is e-waste will successfully position customers to achieve the highest return on investment for their unwanted assets. Utilizing a mix of online sales, e-commerce tools, and inside sales will yield the greatest return on investment and maximize exposure. Partner with an ITAD service provider that has the necessary means to ensure unwanted or retired equipment is kept at its highest value.

Smith has recently expanded its IT asset disposition program and initiatives. Now our strong foundation and global reach are accompanied by dedicated ITAD leadership and mobile shred trucks. Smith has the proper ITAD certifications, stability, and sales knowledge to exceed customers’ requirements.

Reach out to one of our ITAD experts here, or contact your Smith sales representative for more information on customizable, flexible ITAD solutions.