The Future of Refurbished Network Equipment and Its Impact on the IT Landscape

Technology is advancing rapidly, and businesses seek cost-effective solutions to stay competitive. One of the time-tested trends in the IT industry is the use of refurbished network equipment. It offers benefits such as cost savings and enhanced performance.

Businesses are increasingly turning to refurbished network equipment to upgrade their infrastructure. It's reshaping the IT industry, and we'll discover how in this blog. Further, we'll explore the future of refurbished network equipment and its impact on the IT landscape. We'll examine how it's transforming the industry, from environmental benefits to operational advantages.

The Growth of the Refurbished Network Equipment Market

The refurbished network equipment market has seen significant growth. Businesses are opting for pre-owned equipment for infrastructure upgrades. Factors driving growth include the demand for cost-effective networking solutions. There is also a growing focus on reducing e-waste and improving network performance. So, more businesses are turning to refurbished equipment as an affordable option.

The market benefits from reputable refurbishers like CXtec. These refurbishers offer high-quality pre-owned equipment meeting industry standards. The demand for refurbished network equipment will rise in the coming years. The reasons are cloud-based services' adoption and IoT growth.

From quality to accessibility, reconditioned network equipment is an excellent choice today and in the future for various reasons. Let's have a look at a few of them:

Proven Performance

Refurbished hardware performs as well as or better than new hardware. According to the findings of 2020 research, new and used network equipment perform similarly. Refurbished equipment can even outperform newer models with better specifications. Because of its dependability, refurbished IT equipment is widely used across industries. For example, IT behemoths such as Google rely on refurbished equipment for data centre operations.

Instant Availability

Most businesses rely on the immediate availability of IT hardware. Because of remote working, the Covid-19 outbreak raised the demand for laptops. Fiber cabling devices are required to quickly shift to 40/100G Ethernet and beyond for transporting enormous volumes of data. Because of the chip shortage and supply chain disruption, OEM vendors struggled to meet demand. When dealing with unexpected circumstances, businesses may benefit from using used IT equipment. To match the spike in demand, most refurbished IT companies maintain a vast stockpile of inventory. They also assist in speedy product delivery due to their global stocks.

Many Customization Options

Refurbished product vendors make buying new, used, and refurbished products possible. A hybrid IT system can be built by combining new and refurbished assets. This level of customization is not accessible from OEM manufacturers. Developing hybrid IT solutions might also significantly cut your expenditures.

On-Time Upkeep Assistance

Most refurbished IT providers offer high-quality maintenance services at a lower rate. Their maintenance contracts are often straightforward to understand and provide the maximum coverage. After a few years of service, you don't see sudden increases in maintenance costs. The cost-effective maintenance gives refurbished assets an advantage over new IT assets. Unlike OEMs, refurbished IT suppliers provide timely maintenance support. This ensures that information technology processes run smoothly.

Eco-Friendly IT Solutions: Utilization of Refurbished Network Equipment

Refurbished network equipment as an eco-friendly IT solution is becoming increasingly popular. Refurbished network equipment includes the following: 

• Hub
• Phones
• Switch
• Router
• Bridge
• Gateway
• Modem
• Repeater
• Access Point

Using refurbished network equipment helps reduce e-waste, one of the fastest-growing waste streams globally. According to the United Nations University, the world generates approximately 50 million tons of electronic waste annually. This is expected to double by 2050.

Refurbished network equipment can also result in business cost savings. They are often available at a fraction of the cost of new equipment. This can help businesses save money on their IT infrastructure upgrades. 

Refurbished equipment can cost up to 30% -50% less than new equipment. They can also perform just as well as new equipment. Refurbishers conduct rigorous testing and refurbishment processes. This is done to ensure the equipment meets industry standards and performs at its best. 

Using refurbished network equipment also helps extend the life of existing equipment. Businesses can use refurbished parts to upgrade and repair their existing equipment. Enterprises often underutilize their network devices, with most operating at less than 75% of their port capacity. By consolidating connectivity, organizations can reduce excess capacity and free up anywhere from 10% to 15% of switches for higher utilization of existing resources. However, this process may require re-cabling, operational labor, and other efforts to free up switching capacity successfully.

The Future of Refurbished Network Equipment

The future of refurbished network equipment looks highly promising. This is because more businesses are adopting eco-friendly IT solutions. The global refurbished IT equipment market size is expected to reach USD 15.8 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2021 to 2028.

One example of the growing trend towards refurbished network equipment is Google. Back in 2017, Google announced that it would only buy refurbished equipment as part of its effort to reduce e-waste. This move helped Google reduce its environmental impact and resulted in significant cost savings.

Refurbished network equipment can also help businesses meet their sustainability goals. Refurbished equipment can be included in a company's sustainability reports. This can highlight the efforts to reduce e-waste and cut environmental impact.

Also, the growing demand for circular economy practices drives this trend. The circular economy is an economic model that aims to cut waste and promote the continuous use of resources. Businesses can contribute to the circular economy and promote sustainable practices.

There is a rapid pace of technological change in the IT industry. New technologies and equipment are constantly being developed. Businesses often need to upgrade their IT infrastructure to stay competitive. But, the high cost of new equipment can be a barrier for many companies. Particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Refurbished equipment is an affordable alternative. This helps to upgrade their networks and improve their IT capabilities economically.

Nowadays, refurbished equipment vendors are investing in new technologies and services to keep up with the growing demand for eco-friendly IT solutions. For instance, some refurbished equipment vendors now offer cloud-based management tools. This helps businesses to monitor and manage their IT assets more efficiently. Others are expanding their product lines to include newer and more advanced technologies, such as 5G and edge computing.

Also, the growing concern about e-waste and its impact on the environment concerns worldwide. E-waste is a major environmental problem. Millions of tons of discarded electronic devices end up in landfills yearly. 

Businesses can help reduce e-waste and contribute to a more sustainable future. This can be done by using refurbished IT equipment.

Refurbishing and reusing IT equipment creates job opportunities and supports local economies. Refurbishment companies employ skilled workers who repair, test and refurbish the equipment. These companies also support local communities. By offering affordable IT solutions to small businesses.

Finally, the quality of refurbished network equipment has dramatically improved in recent years. Many refurbished equipment suppliers also offer warranties and technical support. This ensures businesses can rely on the equipment for their IT needs.

Impact of Refurbished Network Equipment on the IT Landscape

The adoption of refurbished network equipment is rapidly growing in the IT industry. This trend is transforming the IT landscape in significant ways. Refurbished equipment has a wide range of impacts on the industry. This includes the following:

Reducing Digital Divide

Refurbished network equipment can help reduce the digital divide. This can be done by providing affordable technology to underserved communities. This includes schools and non-profit organizations. By doing this, we can bridge the technology gap. Also, provide greater access to resources, information, and opportunities.

Supporting Legacy Systems

They can also support legacy systems that may need to be compatible with new equipment. This can help businesses extend the life of their existing infrastructure. Also, avoid costly upgrades or replacements.

Addressing Supply Chain Issues

Refurbished network equipment can help manage supply chain issues. This includes component shortages and longer lead times. Businesses can avoid supply chain disruptions and ensure continuity of operations.

Enhancing Security

They can improve security by providing extra protection against cyber threats. Businesses can strengthen their network defenses and cut their risk of cyber attacks.

Keeping Pace with Change: Adapting to the Future of Refurbished Network Equipment by CXtec

Finding a reliable vendor is critical when it comes to utilizing refurbished equipment. That's where CXtec comes in. We have been serving customers happily for over 40 years now. We have established ourselves as a trustworthy partner for businesses of all types and sizes. Our equal2new® brand provides certified pre-owned network equipment at affordable prices. This makes us an ideal partner for companies looking to save costs without sacrificing quality.

We take pride in the quality of our refurbished products. Our products come with a lifetime warranty and advanced part replacement options. Our rigorous refurbishing process includes testing, cleaning, and restoring the equipment to like-new condition. We also ensure that you receive a product that meets the same standards as new equipment.

We also focus on sustainability. We offer green IT solutions that help our clients meet their sustainability goals. Customizing the right refurbished IT solution based on your unique needs and requirements is our forte. Our global shipping capabilities ensure speedy delivery of products to clients worldwide. So you can get the equipment you need quickly and efficiently.

Please visit our website to learn more about our refurbished network equipment.