Strategy for repairability: How to extend the lifespan of your equipment in 6 steps

Did you know that in France, 78% of the environmental impact of digital technology on greenhouse gas emissions comes from the manufacturing of devices? For an IT department, the production of hardware is often the main source of emissions. Therefore, extending the lifespan of your equipment is one of the most effective ways to reduce the environmental impact of an IT department.

Challenges in extending equipment lifespan

Prolonging the lifespan of IT equipment is not without its challenges. Here are some obstacles companies face:

• High cost of warranty extensions
• Increased frequency of failures
• High cost of battery replacement (a battery can represent two-thirds of the price of a new device)
• Limited battery warranties (often only 3 months)
• Operating system updates that sometimes require RAM replacement
• Diversification in IT asset management due to extended equipment lifespan (multi-reference management)

How to overcome these challenges?

There are several strategies to prolong the lifespan of your IT equipment and reduce your environmental impact:

1. Analyze your IT assets before renewing devices

   • Before considering a complete overhaul of your IT assets, it is crucial to conduct a thorough analysis of the current inventory. This approach will help identify equipment that is truly obsolete or defective, avoiding unnecessary acquisitions.
   • Some aging devices can be upgraded to restore full functionality. This measured approach allows you to optimize your budget and minimize the environmental impact of systematic renewal.
   • In summary, favor a rational investment strategy based on a precise assessment of needs and refurbishment possibilities.

2. Choose durable devices during purchases

   • When purchasing new devices, opt for durable models with a high repairability index (minimum of 7). Additionally, request PCF (Product Carbon Footprint) sheets from manufacturers to select models with a lower environmental impact. Also, prioritize TCO Certified models, which ensure more responsible manufacturing.

3. Negotiate favorable contracts with manufacturers

   • When negotiating contracts with manufacturers, ensure to ask for:
     • A 5-year warranty with repair service
     • Battery replacement included in the contract
     • A fixed rate for out-of-warranty repairs

4. Train your teams for minor repairs

   • By training your employees in minor repairs, you can reduce dependency on external repair services and achieve cost savings.
   • Training your teams in minor repairs:
     • Reduces dependency on external service providers and associated delivery times
     • Increases autonomy and speed of execution
     • Enhances the skillset of your teams
     • Improves overall company performance

5. Anticipate your configuration needs

   • By anticipating your configuration needs, you can avoid having to purchase new devices too quickly.

6. Efficiently manage your IT asset renewal

   • Extending the lifespan of your IT assets allows for a phased approach to asset masterization, renewing only part of the inventory each year.
   • Note: The workstation masterization module allows automatic installation of workstations via the network, USB/DVD-ROM/IPXE keys. This module installs the operating system and necessary software.

How Sopht supports you in this process

During the renewal of your inventory, Sopht helps you analyze your IT assets and ask the right questions to best support your choices:

1. Data Collection:

   • Automate data collection via API or through the installation of a dedicated collection agent if no monitoring solution is already in place.

2. Identify end-of-Life units:

   • Conduct a comprehensive inventory of the IT assets, including the age, technical specifications, and condition of each unit.
   • Identify units that have exceeded their useful life or are no longer performing well.

3. Evaluate the functionality of units:

   • Perform diagnostic tests on units identified as end-of-life to determine their actual condition.
   • Assess whether machines are still functional, need an upgrade, or should be replaced.

4. Favor ecological models:

   • Compare the weight of machines and prefer models with a lighter ecological footprint, if possible.
   • Choose models certified as ecological, such as those with the Energy Star or EPEAT label.

5. Simulate ecological & financial Gains:

   • Estimate the environmental footprint associated with renewing machines with new devices.
   • Simulate the ecological and financial gains from extending the lifespan of part or all of the IT assets, considering the reduction of electronic waste, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions.

By implementing these strategies, you can significantly extend the lifespan of your IT equipment, thereby reducing both environmental impact and operational costs.