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