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Asset Recovery

In brief

IT Asset Recovery (deutsch: Wertrückgewinnung aus IT-Beständen) bezeichnet alle Maßnahmen, mit denen Unternehmen aus ausgemusterter IT-Hardware noch einen finanziellen Wert erzielen, etwa durch Verkauf, Wiederverwendung im eigenen Haus oder Gewinnung von Ersatzteilen. Asset Recovery ist ein Teil der IT Asset Disposition. Voraussetzung ist immer eine nachweisbare Datenlöschung, bevor ein Gerät das Unternehmen verlässt.

Ways of recovering value

Gone Description
Sale to a service provider Buyback of the entire inventory, often with pickup and data erasure
Revenue share The service provider resells and shares the proceeds
Employee sale Erased devices are sold to employees
Internal reuse Refurbished devices go to other sites or departments
Buyback or trade-in programs Old devices are credited when buying new devices, see Buyback

Which route fits depends on quantity, condition and your requirements. Several are often combined, for example selling the younger devices and harvesting spare parts from the older ones.

What the proceeds depend on

The Residual value are determined mainly by age, specification, condition, quantity and demand. The earlier devices are handed over after the end of use, the higher the proceeds usually are. Locks such as BIOS passwords or account locks on mobile devices lower it significantly. A well-maintained device list from the IT Asset Management speeds up the valuation. What to look for when choosing a service provider is described in the guide Choosing an ITAD provider.

Second IT buys retired IT hardware at market-based prices and offers CashBack options and employee sales. The basis is database-supported price determination.

Frequently asked questions about asset recovery

What is the difference between asset recovery and ITAD?

ITAD covers the entire retirement: logistics, data erasure, recovery and disposal. Asset recovery is the part that recovers value.

Is asset recovery worthwhile for older devices too?

Often yes. Older devices also have a value, whether as a whole or as a source of spare parts. A valuation shows what is realistic.

Are the proceeds taxable?

As a rule, yes. The proceeds less residual book value are income. Clarify the treatment with your tax advisor.

What ways of recovering value are there for retired IT?

Common are the sale to a service provider, revenue sharing, employee sales, internal reuse and buyback or trade-in programs. Several routes are often combined, for example selling younger devices and harvesting spare parts from older ones.

What do the proceeds in IT asset recovery depend on?

Above all on age, specification, condition, quantity and demand. The earlier devices are handed over after the end of use, the higher the proceeds usually are. Locks such as BIOS passwords lower it significantly. A well-maintained device list speeds up the valuation.

What is your retired IT still worth? Ask us.

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