You want updates on the latest systems and trends. You might wonder –
“Why should I heed the words and opinions of a used IT hardware
remarketer? They sell equipment from two to three years ago, right?”
I can see where you’re coming from, but the myth that we
only sell museum-ready systems is exactly that: a myth. You would be
surprised at how quickly the latest models hit our docks. We’re
typically stocking servers, routers and storage hardware two weeks to
two months after a product is launched. There is more to this question
than recency though.
1) Tech Analysts are Listening
We get polled by Wall Street and media analysts hungry to get the
unfiltered truth on how individual manufacturers and products are doing
in the marketplace.
When a new product is launched, we can tell how successful it will be
based on the number of clients looking to trade in the previous
technology. For example, when IBM released its IBM P5
line, we knew they had released yet another winner. For example, we
immediately started receiving price requests and instantly noticed a
large number of people trading in their older used RS6000 equipment.
It’s extremely important that we follow these trends as we have to
forecast which directions values will go when making offers to purchase
hardware. Our IBM buyers had to decrease valuations on used RS6000 equipment, knowing the flood of equipment bound to hit the secondary market would create a supply glut and falling prices.
2) No Platform Bias
Like many used resellers, Vibrant offers products from a wide array of
IT equipment manufacturers. Most VARs, on the other hand, are locked
into one (or a small handful) of options that they recommend. Speak with
a manufacturer’s rep and you’ll only hear about one brand: theirs.
(Unless, of course, they’re telling you they’re better than the other
guy.)
So, who do you think will give you an unbiased recommendation for
your specific application or requirement? Even if we’re not directly
benefiting from an opportunity, we’re happy to assist our clients if
they’re trying to decide between an HP or an IBM Server. If they give us
a shot to present a comparison quote on a used server, well,
that's even better!
3) Hardware lasts longer than six to nine months
Ok, so here is the other side of the recency coin. The manufacturers
seem to come out with a new system, server, router or SAN about every
six to nine months(or so it seems). The latest release might be inappropriate for your situation, yet will be pitched to you anyway
when dealing with VARs and channel reps. If you have an older system and
simply want to upgrade it with memory or disk, the manufacturer may
tell you that it’s no longer available, or if it is, the pricing is
still at ultra-high prices from the previous year.
Vibrant offers information on servers that are suitable for your
current needs, and can also offer an upgrade path at prices up to 90%
off the original list price. The manufacturer may have sold your memory
upgrade at $5000 a few years ago, and have never updated that pricing.
It wouldn’t be uncommon for us to now have that same memory kit in stock
at $500. That surely beats the overkill of a new server.
Having choices and resources helps you choose your solution without blinders on.
We’ll do our best to broaden your range of options, so you're able to choose what's right for you.