IT asset recovery: What is it, process, and choosing the right provider

Proper IT asset recovery is essential for any organization's technology lifecycle management strategy. It helps businesses make the most of their IT equipment investments while reducing waste and safeguarding data.

For remote teams, the recovery process often starts when employees leave the company. After an employee is offboarded, organizations need to get those devices back safely and decide whether they need IT asset disposition services or the assets refreshed for a new employee to use.

In this sense, the IT asset recovery process is critical for preserving the integrity of an organization's assets and protecting sensitive information. Although the initial retrieval process can present challenges for distributed teams, having clarity over the complete stages of the IT asset recovery process can help companies get the most value out of their devices. They should also be aware of the average costs associated with retrieval.

Want to see how easy it is to offboard an employee and recover IT assets with the GroWrk platform? Try the product tour below!

What is IT asset recovery?

IT asset recovery is the process of reclaiming value from outdated or decommissioned technology equipment, including repurposing, reselling, recycling, or disposing of assets while ensuring data security and compliance with industry regulations.

Asset recovery is part of the IT asset lifecycle, including several stages, from procurement and asset redeployment to maintenance and retirement. During each phase, the asset generates data and incurs costs, which is why it's so important to manage it effectively. IT asset recovery aims to maximize the total cost of an asset while minimizing the risks associated with asset disposition.

Through this procedure, companies can effectively track, certify, and document the secure disposal of equipment that once housed vulnerable information. Organizations maintain compliance with regulatory standards by ensuring that data doesn't fall into the wrong hands, protecting their reputation, and avoiding potential legal pitfalls.

Benefits of IT asset recovery 

Integrating an IT asset recovery plan into your technology lifecycle management strategy helps you maximize your investments in technology, especially when there are budget constraints. With an IT asset recovery plan, you can proactively manage your assets and services to ensure they are utilized to their fullest business potential.

Cost savings and revenue generation

An effective recovery program can lead to significant savings, increased productivity at the end of life, and revenue generation for businesses by identifying underutilized or obsolete assets and aging equipment that can be repurposed, resold, or recycled. By doing this, companies can unlock value from decommissioned equipment and help maximize return on investment.

Data security and risk mitigation

Another critical benefit of IT asset recovery is data security and risk mitigation. It's essential to safeguard sensitive information during disposal to comply with data privacy regulations and protect against data breaches and legal liabilities. There are several practices that organizations can adopt to ensure data security during hardware asset disposal and asset recovery options, such as using secure data-wiping techniques.

Environmental sustainability

IT asset recovery plays a crucial role in both environmental impact and sustainability. By responsibly recycling and disposing of assets, companies can reduce electronic waste, minimize environmental impact, and achieve corporate sustainability goals. This benefits the environment and enhances asset recovery processes within the organization leading to improved company reputation and brand image.

How to recover IT assets

Retrievals after offboarding

Distributed teams have an added layer of responsibility for the IT asset recovery process, as they must ensure parting employees return company equipment. This is challenging but can be simplified with an IT asset recovery solution like GroWrk. As an IT asset management company, GroWrk takes care of those recoveries regardless of your remote employee location.

Assessment and inventory

This entire process involves identifying all IT equipment within the organization and determining which items of IT equipment are still usable or obsolete. This procedure typically involves a complex tracking system to ensure that no assets are overlooked and that all data is properly accounted for.

Data sanitization and destruction

It's crucial to implement secure data erasure methods to protect sensitive information. This can be done through the physical destruction of storage devices or by using specialized software to wipe data clean.

Remarketing and resale

To resell IT assets, it's important first to evaluate their value. Once you have determined the resale value of the assets, you can allocate resources to develop marketing strategies and find potential buyers.

Recycling and disposal 

Any equipment that cannot be sold or reused must be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner. This involves working with certified recycling partners to ensure that the old equipment is disposed of properly and provide certificates of destruction.

Choosing the right IT asset recovery provider

Choosing the right IT asset recovery provider is vital, as the wrong choice could lead to data loss, financial loss, and damage to your reputation. Here are some relevant factors to consider.

Provider or vendor selection criteria

Firstly, evaluating a service provider's experience and expertise is essential. It's wise to choose a vendor with a proven IT asset recovery track record, preferably with industry experience.  

Additionally, certifications and compliance standards are critical. Look for a provider who complies with industry standards such as Sustainable Electronics Recycling International, R2, or E-Stewards certification standards. 

Customer testimonials and references are also helpful in determining the quality of a provider's asset recovery services. Reach out to their previous clients to get a sense of their experience and level of satisfaction. 

Data security measures

Another important factor is data security measures. Providers should have secure data wiping and destruction protocols in place, as well as a chain of custody and data tracking system. 

Environmental responsibility

Environmental responsibility is also essential. Choose a provider with a commitment to responsible recycling and e-waste recycling certifications. Look into their environmental policies and practices, such as their carbon footprint and energy usage. 

Reporting and documentation

Finally, reporting and documentation should be comprehensive. The provider should issue data destruction and recycling certificates, audit trails, and compliance documentation. This information should be easily accessible and transparent.

How GroWrk can help in the IT asset recovery process

IT Asset Recovery can save money and generate revenue by repurposing or reselling underutilized IT assets.

But it's not just about the bottom line or securing capital assets –secure data erasure methods during disposal can also protect against data breaches and reduce e-waste production for a more sustainable future. 

At GroWrk, we make the process easy by giving you complete IT asset visibility over your device at all times, regardless of your remote employees' location. You also get streamlined asset managing and retrieving when a team member exits your organization, so you don't have to worry about collections or asset disposal. Book a call to learn more.

Frequently asked questions

What is IT asset recovery?

IT asset recovery is more than just a mere hardware asset disposal procedure; it's a sustainable implementation strategy that breathes new life into aging equipment and optimizes resource allocation. In short, it refers to managing and disposing of technology assets securely, environmentally responsible, and financially advantageous.

Why is IT asset recovery important for business? 

It maximizes investment value, reduces compliance costs, prolongs equipment life, allows you to manage inventory, is cost-effective, promotes sustainability, and ensures proper asset management and disposal of equipment at the end of life.

How can IT asset recovery contribute to cost savings?

It saves costs by extending the life of IT assets, optimizing resource usage, and recouping initial investments through resale or remarketing. Proper disposal also prevents fines and penalties. 

How can I ensure data security during asset recovery?

To ensure data security during asset recovery services, employ secure data wiping techniques, encrypt sensitive data, partner with reputable logistics providers, document the chain of custody, obtain asset recovery certifications for data destruction, and educate end users on data security best practices.