How To Get More Networking Equipment For Your Dollar

If your computer network keeps expanding and thewill offer services that the manufacturer may not
associated networking equipment costs keepoffer, such as a short term rental program, trade-ins,
increasing, you might want to consider buyingan integrated solution with mixed vendors and initial set
equipment in the secondary market. This is a placeup services
where you can purchase used or unused brand nameIf you are a newbie in purchasing equipment on the
equipment; such as, servers, routers, LAN switchessecondary market there are some very good
and more at substantial savings. Savings of 50-70% ofquestions you need to ask before buying from a
list price are not unusual.dealer. Getting the right answers will make it a pleasant
The secondary market for computer equipment wasexperience. Here are the questions you need to ask?
born in the early 1970s when the Federal GovernmentHow long has the dealer been in business? Try to deal
forced IBM to sell equipment and not just rent it. Sincewith someone who has been around a good number
that time it is estimated that the secondary market forof years and can provide references
equipment like computers and WAN and LANIs the equipment tested and how thoroughly? This is a
equipment exceeds $20 billion. A few examples of themust and a printout of test results is very desirable
brands that are readily available on the secondaryWhat is the warranty on the equipment? There should
market are: IBM, Dell, Cisco Systems, Nortel and manybe a minimum of a 90 day warranty
more.If your require on site maintenance can they provide it?
In a survey conducted by CIO magazine, which catersCan the dealer put this equipment on the
to IT executives, found that 77% of companiesmanufacturerfs maintenance program or on a third
surveyed buy secondhand or used IT equipment.party maintenance plan What is the companyfs return
Surprisingly, the reasons why so many companies arepolicy?
purchasing used equipment go beyond just savingWill this equipment look like new? Ask the dealer what
money. Here are some of the reasons that have beenthey do to make the equipment look as close to new
mentioned:as possible
Maximize IT Equipment Investment You can saveWhat kind of technical support is available? If you
50-70% on previously owned equipmentneed, can you receive pre-sale and post-sale support
Convert Surplus Equipment into Cash You can sellif you need it. It is not unreasonable for a dealer to
your un-needed equipment or trade it in towards othercharge for applications support, though.
equipmentManufacturers can sometimes be touchy about
Quick Delivery for Emergency Needs Dealers in themaintenance and software issues on previously
secondary market can typically provide equipmentowned equipment, so make sure all your concerns are
much faster than the manufacturerdealt with in writing. If you get all the right answers to
More Personalized Service Dealers, being smallerthe above questions and deal with someone who has
companies than the Manufacturer, are more flexiblebeen in this business for a good many years your
and responsiveexperience in the secondary market should be a
More Services Available Secondary market dealerspleasant one.